Maxalt

Pronunciation: RYE-za-TRIP-tan
Generic Name: Rizatriptan
Brand Name: Maxalt

Maxalt is used for:

Treating migraine headaches with or without aura (eg, flashing lights, wavy lines, dark spots) in adults. It should not be used to prevent migraines or cluster headaches.

Maxalt is a selective serotonin receptor agonist. It works by narrowing dilated blood vessels in the brain, relieving migraine headaches.

Do NOT use Maxalt if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Maxalt


• you have a history of ischemic heart disease (eg, angina, a heart attack), coronary artery disease (CAD), other moderate to severe heart problems, brain blood vessel disease (eg, a stroke, a transient ischemic attack), or other blood vessel disease (eg, Raynaud syndrome, ischemic bowel disease)


• you have uncontrolled high blood pressure


• you have certain types of migraine headache (hemiplegic, basilar)


• you are taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine) within the past 14 days


• you have used certain other migraine medicines within the past 24 hours (eg, an ergot derivative [eg, dihydroergotamine, methysergide], another serotonin 5-HT₁ receptor agonist [eg, eletriptan, rizatriptan])

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Maxalt:

Some medical conditions may interact with Maxalt. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you are very overweight, past menopause, or you smoke


• if you have a history of other types of headaches (eg, cluster headaches)


• if you have a history of diabetes, kidney or liver problems, heart problems, chest pain, shortness of breath, high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure


• if a family member has had heart disease or a stroke


• if you are a man who is over 40 years old


• if you are on dialysis

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Maxalt. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• MAOIs (eg, phenelzine), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (eg, fluoxetine), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) (eg, venlafaxine), or sibutramine because severe side effects, such as a reaction that may include fever, blood pressure changes, mental changes, confusion, irritability, agitation, delirium, and coma, may occur


• Beta-blockers (eg, propranolol) or ergot alkaloids (eg, ergotamine) because they may increase the risk of Maxalt's side effects

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Maxalt may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Maxalt:

Use Maxalt as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• An extra patient leaflet is available with Maxalt. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.


• Take Maxalt by mouth with or without food.


• Take Maxalt with plenty of fluid.


• It is best to take a dose of Maxalt as soon as you notice symptoms of a migraine attack.


• If your migraine symptoms go away and then come back, you may take a second dose as directed by your doctor. Wait at least 2 hours between doses.


• If your symptoms do not improve after the first dose, do not take a second dose for the same attack. Contact your doctor.


• Do not take more than the amount prescribed by your doctor in a 24-hour period or treat more than 4 headaches within 30 days without checking with your doctor.


• If you miss a dose of Maxalt and you still have a headache, follow your doctor's dosing instructions. Contact your doctor right away if you are unsure of what to do if you miss a dose. Do not take Maxalt more often than prescribed. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Maxalt.

Important safety information:

• Maxalt may cause dizziness or drowsiness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Maxalt with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Maxalt is not intended to prevent or reduce the number of migraine attacks that you experience.


• If you have a headache that is different from your usual migraine attacks, check with your doctor before using Maxalt.


• Rarely, serious heart problems (eg, a heart attack, irregular heartbeat) have been reported within a few hours of using Maxalt. Contact your doctor at once if fast or irregular heartbeat; chest, jaw, or neck pain or numbness; numbness of an arm or leg; severe stomach pain, dizziness, or vomiting; fainting; or vision changes occur. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.


• Serotonin syndrome is a possibly fatal syndrome that can be caused by Maxalt. Your risk may be greater if you take Maxalt with certain other medicines (eg, MAOIs, SNRIs, SSRIs). Symptoms may include agitation; confusion; hallucinations; coma; fever; fast or irregular heartbeat; tremor; muscle spasms; trouble walking; excessive sweating; and nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Contact your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms.


• Lab tests, including heart function, may be performed while you use Maxalt. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Maxalt should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 18 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Maxalt while you are pregnant. It is not known if Maxalt is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Maxalt, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Maxalt:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; fatigue; nausea; weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody diarrhea; burning, numbness, or tingling of the hands or feet; chest heaviness; chest, neck, or jaw pain, tightness, or pressure; confusion; decreased coordination; excessive sweating; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever; hallucinations; mental or mood changes (eg, agitation); muscle spasms; numbness of an arm or leg; one-sided weakness; seizure; severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; severe or persistent headache or dizziness; shortness of breath; slurred speech; stomach pain; tremor; unusual weakness; very cold or blue fingers or toes; vision changes or loss of vision.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Maxalt side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org ), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include fainting; slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat; unusual dizziness or drowsiness; vomiting.

Proper storage of Maxalt:

Store Maxalt at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Keep Maxalt out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Maxalt, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Maxalt is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Maxalt. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Maxalt resources

• Maxalt Side Effects (in more detail)
• Maxalt Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Maxalt Drug Interactions
• Maxalt Support Group
• 46 Reviews for Maxalt - Add your own review/rating

• Maxalt Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Maxalt Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Maxalt Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Maxalt Consumer Overview

Compare Maxalt with other medications

• Migraine