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| Pronunciation |
|
 (rye
za TRIP
tan) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Maxalt®;
Maxalt-MLT™ |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Serotonin 5-HT1D Receptor Agonist |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to rizatriptan or any other part of the
medicine.
- If you have any of the following conditions: Ischemic heart disease,
angina (chest pain or pressure coming from the heart), Prinzmetal's angina, high
blood pressure that is not controlled, certain types of migraines.
- If you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (isocarboxazid,
phenelzine, tranylcypromine) in the last 14 days.
- If you have taken naratriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan, or any
rizatriptan-like medicine in the last 24 hours.
- If you have taken a ergot-containing (methysergide, dihydroergotamine)
medicine in the last 24 hours.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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|
- This medicine is used to get rid of or decrease the pain and symptoms
of a migraine headache. It is not
used to prevent future attacks.
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| How does it work? |
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- Rizatriptan works by squeezing certain blood vessels in the brain and
preventing irritation/inflammation.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- Swallow tablet whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
- Take with liquids as early as possible after the attack has started.
- If no headache relief within 2 hours after first dose, take another
dose, up to 30 mg/day. There may be additional doses given at 2-hour intervals.
- Do not take more than 30 mg as a total daily dose.
- If you are taking propranolol, the maximum dose is 15
mg/day.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- This medicine is taken on an as needed basis, not on a regularly
scheduled one. It can be taken any time during the course of the headache, but
sooner is better.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
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- Do not take if you have a history of angina (chest pain from the
heart), heart spasms, heart attack, or uncontrolled high blood pressure.
- Do not take within 24 hours of other headache medicines. Talk with
healthcare provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are taking any medicines for
depression. Certain medicines do not mix well with this medicine.
- Tell healthcare provider if you have had any history of seizures or
are on seizure medicine.
- Use caution if you have risk factors for heart disease (high blood
pressure, high cholesterol, overweight, diabetes, cigarette smoking, a male
>40 years of age, other family members with heart disease, postmenopausal
women). Talk with healthcare provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
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- Feeling sleepy, lightheaded, or dizzy. Avoid driving, doing other
tasks or activities that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine
affects you.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- For the intranasal spray, a bad or unusual taste, nausea and vomiting,
nasal cavity discomfort are common.
- For the oral tablet and shot, tingling, warm sensation, flushing, and
chest tightness, pressure, or heaviness are common. The shot also causes pain at
the site of injection.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Watch for return of headache. Talk with healthcare provider if it
changes from usual course or if it does not get better with
medicine.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- No relief of headache after treatment as above.
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Chest pains, tightness, or heaviness, throat pain or tightness, fast
heartbeats, or shortness of breath.
- Too tired or sleepy.
- Passing out, fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
- Any rash.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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