Brand Name
Maxalt RPD
Common Name
rizatriptan
How does this medication work? What will it do for me?
Rizatriptan is used to treat migraine headaches. The pain of
migraine headaches is thought to be caused by dilated blood vessels inside the head. Rizatriptan belongs to a class of drugs known as 5-hydroxytryptamine agonists that relieve migraine headaches by constricting these blood vessels.
Rizatriptan is most effective if taken at the first sign of a migraine headache. The tablets are not effective for other types of headache. Relief from the pain associated with migraine occurs quickly, with maximum pain relief occurring about two hours after taking the medication.
Your doctor may choose to use this medication for other conditions not listed here. If you're unsure why you are taking this medication, contact your doctor.
How should I use this medication?
The recommended initial adult dose of rizatriptan is 5 mg. In some cases, an initial dose of 10 mg may be used. The dose should be taken at the first sign of migraine headache pain. If the migraine headache comes back after being relieved, another dose (5 mg to 10 mg) may be taken no sooner than two hours after the first dose was taken. The maximum recommended single dose is 10 mg. No more than 20 mg of rizatriptan should be taken in any 24-hour period. If your headache pain is different from your usual migraines, do not take rizatriptan; call your doctor. Rizatriptan is not to be used for headache prevention.
For the wafer form of rizatriptan (Maxalt-RPD®), it is not necessary to take the wafer with water. The wafer is packaged in a blister with an outer aluminum pouch. Do not remove the wafer from the package until you are ready to use it. When you are ready, peel open the blister pack with dry hands and place the wafer on your tongue. Allow the wafer to dissolve on your tongue, and swallow.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without talking to your doctor. Always take rizatriptan exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
Maxalt RPD® wafers are available in 5 mg and 10 mg dosages.
5 mg: Each white to off-white, round, rapidly disintegrating tablet, with a flat or slightly irregular surface, debossed with a modified triangle on one side, and with a peppermint flavor, contains: rizatriptan 5 mg (corresponding to 7.265 mg of the benzoate salt).
10 mg: Each white to off-white, round, rapidly disintegrating tablet, with a flat or slightly irregular surface, debossed with a modified square on one side, and with a peppermint flavor, contains: rizatriptan 10 mg (corresponding to 14.53 mg of the benzoate salt).
Nonmedicinal ingredients: aspartame, gelatin, glycine, mannitol, and peppermint flavor. The wafers do not contain lactose, starch, yeast, or gluten.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Rizatriptan should not be taken by people who:
• suffer from
angina (chest pain)
• have
heart disease (e.g., heart valve disease, abnormal heart rhythms, congenital heart disease)
• have blood vessel disease (e.g., ischemic bowel disease,
Raynaud's syndrome,
transient ischemic attacks (TIAs))
• have
high blood pressure that is severe or not under control
• have taken another 5-hydroxytryptamine agonist (i.e., naratriptan,
sumatriptan,
zolmitriptan) in the previous 24 hours
• have taken ergotamine-containing or ergot-type medication (such as dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, or methysergide) in the previous 24 hours
• have certain types of
migraine headaches (including hemiplegic, ophthalmoplegic or basilar migraine)
• have taken any of the class of drugs known as MAO inhibitors (see "What other medications could interact with this medication?" below) in the previous 2 weeks
• have severely reduced liver function
• are allergic to the product or any of its components
What side effects are possible with this medication?
The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.
The following side effects may go away as your body becomes used to the medicine; check with your doctor if they continue or become bothersome. Your health professional may be able to help you to deal with some of the effects.
Less common
dizziness
dry mouth
headache
hot flashes
nausea and/or vomiting
sleepiness
unusual tiredness or muscle weakness
Rare
agitation
anxiety
blurred vision
chills
confusion
constipation
depression
diarrhea
difficulty swallowing
dry eyes
eye irritation
feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
gas
heartburn
inability to sleep
increased sweating
increased thirst
irritability
itching of the skin
muscle or joint stiffness, tightness, or rigidity
muscle pain or spasms
ringing or buzzing in the ears
stomach pain
sudden large increase in frequency or quantity of urine
trembling of hands or feet
unusual feeling of well-being
unusual taste or other taste changes
warm and/or cold sensations
Call your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
chest pain
heaviness, tightness, or pressure in chest and/or neck
pounding heartbeat
shortness of breath
Rare
increased or decreased heart rate
irregular heartbeat
sensation of burning, warmth, heat, numbness, tightness, or tingling
Overdose symptoms include:
dizziness
fainting
severe or continuing headache
sleepiness
slow heartbeat
vomiting
In some patients, side effects other than those listed may occur. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.
Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
Medical conditions: This medication should be used with caution in people who have:
kidney disease
liver disease
certain risk factors for heart disease (e.g., high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, diabetes, family history of coronary artery disease, menopause, men over 40 years of age)
a history of seizures or other conditions that increase their risk of seizures
Allergic reactions: Rare, severe allergic reactions to rizatriptan may occur. Because of the possibility of allergic reaction, people who are allergic to any of the other drugs of this class (5-hydroxytryptamine agonists) should not use rizatriptan.
Occupational hazards: This medication may cause drowsiness, which may impair your ability to operate a vehicle or engage in dangerous activities that require alertness.
Pregnancy: Rizatriptan has not been adequately studied with pregnant women. It should not be used during pregnancy unless the potential benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if rizatriptan passes into breast milk. It should not be used while breast-feeding unless the potential benefits outweigh the risks to the infant.
Children: Rizatriptan has not been studied with persons under 18 years and so is not recommended for them.
Seniors: The safety and effectiveness of rizatriptan have not been adequately studied in people over 65 years. Its use in this age group is not recommended.
What other drugs could interact with this medication?
The following medications may affect the function of rizatriptan or be affected by it:
ergotamine-containing or ergot-type medication (e.g., dihydroergotamine or methysergide) if taken at the same time or within the previous 24 hours
monoamine oxidase inhibitors if taken at the same time or within 14 days of taking rizatriptan (e.g., phenelzine, selegiline, moclobemide)
other 5-hydroxytryptamine agonists (e.g., sumatriptan, nizatriptan, zolmitriptan)
propranolol
certain types of antidepressant drugs known as SSRIs (e.g., fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline)
If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
stop taking one of the medications,
change one of the medications to another,
change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
leave everything as is.
An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. In many cases, interactions are intended or are managed by close monitoring. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications that you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, decongestants, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.