Maxalt: Targeted Relief for Acute Migraine Attacks

Maxalt

Price from 197.80 $

Show more

Product dosage: 10mg
Package (num)	Per pill	Price	Buy
32	$6.18	$197.80 (0%)	🛒 Add to cart
48	$6.00 Best per pill	$296.70 $288.10 (3%)	🛒 Add to cart

Maxalt (rizatriptan benzoate) is a prescription medication specifically formulated for the acute treatment of migraine headaches with or without aura in adults. It belongs to the class of drugs known as selective serotonin receptor agonists (triptans), which work by narrowing blood vessels around the brain and reducing substances in the body that can trigger migraine pain, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and other migraine symptoms. This product card provides a comprehensive, expert-level overview of Maxalt, detailing its mechanism, appropriate use, and essential safety information to guide both healthcare providers and informed patients. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Features

• Active Ingredient: Rizatriptan benzoate
• Available Formulations: Oral tablets (standard and orally disintegrating tablets - ODT) and orally disintegrating wafers
• Available Strengths: 5 mg and 10 mg
• Drug Class: Selective serotonin (5-HT1B/1D) receptor agonist (Triptan)
• Prescription Status: Prescription-only medication
• Mechanism of Action: Binds to serotonin (5-HT1B/1D) receptors on cranial blood vessels, causing vasoconstriction, and inhibits the release of pro-inflammatory neuropeptides.

Benefits

• Provides rapid relief from the debilitating pain of a migraine attack when taken at the onset of symptoms.
• Effectively reduces or eliminates associated migraine symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, photophobia (sensitivity to light), and phonophobia (sensitivity to sound).
• Offers a convenient and portable orally disintegrating formulation (Maxalt-MLT) for use without water, which is advantageous for patients experiencing significant nausea.
• Allows for a flexible dosing strategy, with a second dose possible if headache returns, following specific medical guidance.
• Provides a targeted therapeutic option for patients who do not respond adequately to simple analgesics.

Common use

Maxalt is indicated for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults. It is not intended for the prophylactic (preventive) management of migraine. It should be used only when a clear diagnosis of migraine has been established. The medication is most effective when taken as early as possible after the onset of migraine pain, though it can be taken at any time during an attack. It is not effective for treating common tension headaches or cluster headaches.

Dosage and direction

The recommended initial dose for most adults is 10 mg. For patients on propranolol, a recommended dose is 5 mg, with a maximum daily dose of 15 mg (no more than 3 doses in 24 hours). A second dose may be taken if headache returns, but no sooner than 2 hours after the first dose. The maximum dosage in a 24-hour period should not exceed 30 mg. The standard tablet should be taken with fluid. The orally disintegrating tablet (ODT or MLT) should be placed on the tongue, where it will disintegrate and be swallowed with saliva; no liquid is needed. Do not break the ODT wafer.

Precautions

• Maxalt should only be used where a clear diagnosis of migraine has been established.
• Use with caution in patients with risk factors for coronary artery disease (e.g., hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, smoking, strong family history) unless a cardiovascular evaluation provides satisfactory evidence that the patient is free of underlying cardiovascular disease.
• Not recommended for use in patients with hemiplegic or basilar migraine.
• May cause drowsiness or dizziness. Patients should be advised to assess their individual tolerance before operating machinery or driving.
• Use with caution in patients with hepatic impairment; a maximum dose of 5 mg is recommended for patients with moderate to severe liver impairment. No dosage adjustment is required for renal impairment.
• Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition reported with triptans, particularly when used concomitantly with serotonergic drugs (e.g., SSRIs, SNRIs). Patients should be monitored for symptoms such as agitation, hallucinations, coma, tachycardia, labile blood pressure, hyperthermia, hyperreflexia, incoordination, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Contraindications

• History of ischemic heart disease (e.g., angina pectoris, history of myocardial infarction, silent ischemia)
• History of coronary artery vasospasm, including Prinzmetal’s angina
• Uncontrolled hypertension
• History of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Ischemic bowel disease
• Hypersensitivity to rizatriptan benzoate or any component of the formulation
• Concurrent administration or within 24 hours of another 5-HT1 agonist (e.g., another triptan) or ergotamine-containing or ergot-type medication (e.g., dihydroergotamine, methysergide)
• Concurrent administration or within 2 weeks of discontinuation of MAO-A inhibitors

Possible side effect

Like all medications, Maxalt can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) include:

• Dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue
• Pain, pressure, or tightness in the chest, neck, throat, or jaw (usually transient)
• Nausea
• Dry mouth Less common side effects include:
• Palpitations, tachycardia (increased heart rate)
• Flushing, feeling of warmth
• Heaviness, pressure, or tightness in other parts of the body
• Shortness of breath Patients should contact their doctor immediately if they experience symptoms suggestive of a serious side effect, such as severe chest pain/pressure, sudden severe abdominal pain, symptoms of a stroke (e.g., sudden numbness or weakness, confusion, trouble speaking), or symptoms of serotonin syndrome.

Drug interaction

Maxalt has several important drug interactions:

• MAO-A Inhibitors: Contraindicated. Concomitant use can dramatically increase rizatriptan plasma levels.
• Propranolol: Increases the plasma concentration of rizatriptan. The dose of Maxalt should be reduced to 5 mg, with a maximum of 15 mg in 24 hours.
• Other Triptans and Ergot Derivatives: Contraindicated due to additive vasoconstrictive effects, increasing the risk of serious cardiovascular events and cerebrovascular ischemia.
• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs): Concomitant use may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome.
• Other 5-HT1 Agonists: Avoid within 24 hours of each other.

Missed dose

Maxalt is not used on a scheduled basis; it is taken only to treat an acute migraine attack as needed. Therefore, the concept of a “missed dose” does not apply. Do not take an extra dose to make up for a dose you did not take for a previous attack.

Overdose

In cases of overdose, supportive measures should be instituted. The patient should be monitored for cardiovascular effects, and ECG monitoring is recommended. The elimination half-life of rizatriptan is 2-3 hours, so monitoring should continue for at least 10-12 hours or while symptoms persist. Overdose symptoms could include severe dizziness, drowsiness, fainting, tachycardia, hypertension followed by hypotension, and possibly seizures or cardiovascular collapse.

Storage

Store Maxalt tablets and wafers at room temperature between 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F). Excursions are permitted between 15°C and 30°C (59°F and 86°F). Keep the medication in its original blister pack or bottle to protect it from light and moisture. Keep all medications out of the reach of children and pets.

Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or before starting any new treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here. The information provided is not exhaustive and may not cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, interactions, or adverse effects.

Reviews

• “As a neurologist with over 20 years of experience treating headache disorders, I find rizatriptan to be a reliable and fast-acting abortive agent for many of my migraine patients. The ODT formulation is particularly valuable for those with significant gastroparesis and nausea during an attack.” – Dr. E. Vance, MD, Neurology
• “Maxalt has been a game-changer for managing my acute migraines. It works within 30-45 minutes for me, significantly reducing the pain and allowing me to function again. The dissolvable tablet is a lifesaver when I’m too nauseous to swallow a pill with water.” – Sarah T., patient
• “Clinical trial data consistently shows that rizatriptan 10 mg provides headache relief (reduction from severe/moderate to mild/none) at 2 hours in a significant majority of patients, with a favorable tolerability profile when used in the appropriate patient population.” – Clinical Pharmacologist Review
• “I appreciate the flexibility of the 5 mg dose for my patients on propranolol prophylaxis. It allows for safe and effective acute treatment without the need to discontinue their preventive therapy.” – Family Medicine Practitioner