Maxalt, Maxalt-mlt

Introduction

Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Updated on August 30, 2023

Rizatriptan (rye za TRIP tan) is a generic medication prescribed for migraine headaches in adults and certain children. Rizatriptan belongs to a group of drugs called serotonin receptor agonists. Triptans is the common name for this group of drugs.

This article doesn’t provide coupons for all forms of rizatriptan. To find coupons for rizatriptan oral disintegrating tablet (ODT),* see this article.

* Rizatriptan ODT dissolves when placed in your mouth.

Side effects of rizatriptan

Rizatriptan may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of rizatriptan and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about rizatriptan’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for rizatriptan listed in the “Resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of rizatriptan are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about rizatriptan’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for rizatriptan listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Mild side effects of rizatriptan oral tablet and oral disintegrating tablet (ODT)† include:

• dizziness
• fatigue (low energy)
• nausea
• sleepiness
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for rizatriptan” section.
† Rizatriptan ODT dissolves when placed in your mouth.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of rizatriptan are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about rizatriptan’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for rizatriptan listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, rizatriptan’s serious side effects include:

• bleeding in the brain
• blood circulation problems, including Raynaud’s syndrome, and lack of blood flow to the digestive system
• heart problems, including angina (chest pain), heart rhythm issues, and heart attack
• overuse headaches from using rizatriptan too much
• sensations of pain, pressure, or tightness in the jaw, neck, throat, or chest that may not be related to heart problems
• serotonin syndrome (too much of the chemical serotonin in the body), which can be life threatening
• stroke
• very high blood pressure
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for rizatriptan” section.

Common questions about rizatriptan

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about rizatriptan.

What brand names are available for rizatriptan?

Rizatriptan is available as the brand-name drug Maxalt. Rizatriptan is the generic version.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generic drugs are believed to be as effective and safe as brand-name drugs. And generic drugs typically cost less than brand-name drugs.

You can learn more about this by talking with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is rizatriptan a ‘narcotic’?

No, rizatriptan isn’t a narcotic. Narcotics can sometimes help relieve migraine headache pain. So, as with rizatriptan, doctors can prescribe them for this purpose.

Unlike narcotics, rizatriptan is not known to be addictive. (With addiction, a substance is taken even if it’s causing harm.) But the drug can cause dependence and lead to overuse headaches on days when you don’t take it. Dependence means the body needs the drug in order to function like usual.

To find out more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can rizatriptan be taken with ibuprofen?

Yes, rizatriptan can be taken with ibuprofen. In fact, taking these two drugs together may be more effective than taking either drug by itself.

Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It’s available over the counter and is generally safe. But some people need to be careful when taking it. Like most drugs, ibuprofen can cause side effects. So talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it. Also, make sure you follow the package instructions and warnings.

How does rizatriptan work? And how long does it take to start working?

Rizatriptan works by increasing levels of a chemical in your body called serotonin. The exact way this helps relieve a migraine headache isn’t fully understood. It’s thought to work because serotonin narrows blood vessels and reduces swelling in the brain. This likely lowers migraine headache pain.

Rizatriptan usually starts working within about 2 hours to relieve migraine pain. The recommended dosage allows you to repeat the dose in 2 hours if you still have headache pain. Follow your doctor’s instructions for using rizatriptan. They’ll let you know if it’s safe to repeat the dose.

If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Uses of rizatriptan

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as rizatriptan for certain conditions. Approved uses for rizatriptan are described below.

Use for migraine

Doctors may prescribe rizatriptan oral tablet or oral disintegrating tablet (ODT)* for treating migraine headache. It’s used for this purpose in adults and children 6 years and older. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment during a migraine headache attack.

With a migraine headache, you usually feel severe pain, pounding, or throbbing on one side of your head. You may have other symptoms, too, such as:

• fatigue (low energy)
• nausea
• sensitivity to light or sound

It’s also possible to have an aura before the migraine headache pain starts. An aura is a change in vision, such as seeing flashes of lights, zig-zag patterns, or blind spots. It can also cause other symptoms, such as a tingling feeling on one side of your body.

Migraine episodes can last for several hours or even several days. Rizatriptan cannot prevent migraine headaches, but it can help treat one once it starts.

Doctors may not prescribe rizatriptan oral tablet or ODT in certain situations, such as for people with:

• certain rare forms of migraine headaches, such as basilar or hemiplegic migraine
• heart disease
• heart rhythm problems
• high blood pressure that isn’t managed with medications
• ischemic bowel disease (low blood flow to the digestive tract)
• past stroke or ministroke
• peripheral vascular disease (a circulation problem)
• recent use of certain medications, including some migraine medications

* Rizatriptan ODT dissolves when placed in your mouth.

Interactions and warnings for rizatriptan

Below, you’ll find information about rizatriptan’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of rizatriptan

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take rizatriptan, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for rizatriptan” section below.

Warnings for rizatriptan

Some people should not take rizatriptan, and others should take it cautiously.

Rizatriptan could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether rizatriptan is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for rizatriptan, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Rizatriptan can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to rizatriptan or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe rizatriptan. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to rizatriptan, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of rizatriptan

You should not take more rizatriptan than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much rizatriptan, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and rizatriptan

Information about rizatriptan and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Rizatriptan and pregnancy

It’s not known whether rizatriptan should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Rizatriptan and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether rizatriptan should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know if you have questions about rizatriptan or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How does rizatriptan compare with other triptan medications?
• Do any of my other medications interact with rizatriptan?
• How should I take rizatriptan?
• Am I at higher risk of side effects than other people who take rizatriptan?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Rizatriptan benzoate tablet. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/fa0f65b8-96b0-49e4-ac47-9a86fb4aa5f1/spl-doc
• Rizatriptan benzoate tablet, orally disintegrating. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/57ed2505-28f1-4292-b3c3-a49bf0f7c683/spl-doc

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.