Skip to content

Rizatriptan

    DEA Class; Rx

    Common Brand Names; Maxalt, Maxalt MLT

    • Serotonin 5-HT-Receptor Agonists; 
    • Antimigraine Agents

    Oral serotonin agonist
    Used for acute migraine in patients >= 6 years old
    Causes less sustained coronary artery constriction than ergot alkaloids

    Indicated for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura.

    Hypersensitivity

    Ischemic heart disease, uncontrolled hypertension, or other significant cardiovascular disease

    Coronary artery vasospasm

    History of stroke or transient ischemic attack

    Ischemic bowel

    Peripheral vascular disease

    Basilar or hemiplegic migraine

    Within 24 hours of another 5-HT1 agonist or ergot derivative

    Within 2 weeks of MAOI

    • Drowsiness (13-30%, dose related)
    • Fatigue (13-30%, dose related)
    • Dizziness (11-15%)
    • Dizziness (4-9%)
    • Somnolence (4-8%)
    • Fatigue (4-7%; dose related)
    • Nausea (4-6%)
    • Asthenia (1-5%)
    • Hot flashes (1-5%)
    • Paresthesia (3-4%)
    • Dry mouth (3%)
    • Chest pain (2-3%)
    • Pain/pressure in chest, neck, throat, jaw (<2%)
    • Headache (<2%)
    • Dyspnea (>1%)
    • Hypoesthesia (>1%)
    • Palpations (>1%)
    • Skin flushing (>1%)

    Use caution in hepatic/renal insufficiency

    Overuse of acute migraine drugs (eg, ergotamine, triptans, opioids, or combination of these drugs for ≥10 days/month) may lead to exacerbation of headache (medication overuse headache)

    Coronary artery vasospasm, ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation, cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction, transient ischemia, and death reported with the use of 5-HT1 agonists

    Cerebral/subarachnoid hemorrhage and stroke reported with the use of 5-HT1 agonists

    Significant hypertension or hypertensive crisis reported in patients with and without history of hypertension

    Not for use in the prevention of migraine or the treatment of cluster headaches

    Maxalt-MLT tablets contain phenylalanine (not for use in patients with phenylketonuria)

    Patients with sensations of chest pain/pressure/tightness or symptoms suggestive of angina following dosing should be evaluated for coronary artery disease or Prinzmetal’s angina before administering additional doses; monitor with ECG if dosing is resumed and similar symptoms occur

    Peripheral vascular ischemia and colonic ischemia, gastrointestinal ischemia/infarction, splenic infarction, and Raynaud’s syndrome reported with 5-HT1 agonist

    Transient or permanent partial vision loss and blindness reported (rare)

    Available data in pregnant women are not sufficient to draw conclusions about drug-associated risk for major birth defects and miscarriage

    Data are not available on the presence of rizatriptan or any active metabolites in human milk, or on the effects of rizatriptan on the breastfed infant, or on milk production

    Adults

    30 mg/day PO per 24 hour period. If also receiving propranolol, do not exceed 15 mg/day PO. The safety of treating > 4 headaches in a 30-day period is not established.

    Geriatric

    30 mg/day PO per 24 hour period. If also receiving propranolol, do not exceed 15 mg/day PO. The safety of treating > 4 headaches in a 30-day period is not established.

    Adolescents

    >= 40 kg: 10 mg PO per 24 hour period. If also receiving propranolol, do not exceed 5 mg/day PO.
    < 40 kg: 5 mg PO per 24 hour period.

    Children

    >= 6 years and >= 40 kg: 10 mg PO per 24 hour period. If also receiving propranolol, do not exceed 5 mg/day PO.
    >= 6 years and < 40 kg: 5 mg PO per 24 hour period.
    < 6 years: Safety and efficacy have not been established.

    Rizatriptan

    tablet

    • 5mg
    • 10mg

    tablet, oral disintegrating

    • 5mg
    • 10mg