Maxalt 10mg Tablets

Rizatriptan is a selective agonist for serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine1B (5-HT1B) and 5-hydroxytryptamine1D (5-HT1D) receptors. Its therapeutic action in migraine is thought to be mediated by vasoconstriction of intracranial blood vessels, which become dilated during a migraine attack, and by inhibition of neuropeptide release from trigeminal afferents, thereby reducing inflammation and pain transmission.

Urgent Side Effects: Seek Medical Help Right Away

Although rare, this medication can cause severe and potentially life-threatening side effects. If you experience any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor or seek medical attention immediately:

Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
+ Rash
+ Hives
+ Itching
+ Red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever
+ Wheezing
+ Tightness in the chest or throat
+ Trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking
+ Unusual hoarseness
+ Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
Signs of high blood pressure, including:
+ Severe headache or dizziness
+ Passing out
+ Changes in eyesight
Loss of eyesight, which can be long-lasting
Abnormal sensations, such as burning, numbness, or tingling
Severe stomach upset or vomiting
Severe stomach pain or bloody diarrhea
Feeling of heaviness or tightness in the leg muscles
Feeling cold
Serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition, which may cause:
+ Agitation
+ Changes in balance
+ Confusion
+ Hallucinations
+ Fever
+ Fast or abnormal heartbeat
+ Flushing
+ Muscle twitching or stiffness
+ Seizures
+ Shivering or shaking
+ Excessive sweating
+ Severe diarrhea, stomach upset, or vomiting
+ Severe headache
Heart problems, including:
+ Heart attack
+ Abnormal heartbeat
+ Chest, throat, neck, or jaw tightness, pain, pressure, or heaviness
+ Cold sweat
+ Shortness of breath
+ Fast or abnormal heartbeat
+ Severe dizziness or passing out
Brain blood vessel problems, including:
+ Stroke
+ Weakness on one side of the body
+ Trouble speaking or thinking
+ Changes in balance
+ Drooping on one side of the face
+ Changes in eyesight

Other Possible Side Effects

Like all medications, this drug can cause side effects. While many people may not experience any side effects or only minor ones, it's essential to contact your doctor or seek medical attention if you experience any of the following:

Dizziness
Drowsiness
Fatigue
Weakness
Upset stomach

This is not an exhaustive list of possible side effects. If you have questions or concerns about side effects, contact your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088 or online at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Before Taking This Medication: Important Information to Share with Your Doctor

It is essential to inform your doctor about the following conditions and medications to ensure safe treatment:

Any allergies you have, including allergies to this medication, its components, or other substances, such as foods or drugs. Describe the allergic reaction and its symptoms.
If you have high blood pressure.
A history of certain health problems, including:
+ Chest pain or pressure
+ Diseased arteries in the legs or arms
+ Heart attack
+ Heart disease
+ Poor blood flow in the heart, brain, bowel, or kidney
+ Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)
+ Certain types of migraines, such as hemiplegic or basilar migraines
+ Abnormal heartbeat, including Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
If you are taking propranolol.
If you have taken certain depression medications, such as isocarboxazid, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine, within the last 14 days. Taking this medication within 14 days of these drugs can cause severe high blood pressure.
If you have taken any of the following medications in the last 24 hours:
+ Almotriptan
+ Eletriptan
+ Frovatriptan
+ Naratriptan
+ Sumatriptan
+ Zolmitriptan
+ Ergotamine
+ Methysergide
+ Dihydroergotamine
+ Any other ergotamine-like medications

This list is not exhaustive, and it is crucial to inform your doctor and pharmacist about all your medications, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, natural products, and vitamins, as well as any health problems you have. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without consulting your doctor to ensure safe treatment.

It is essential to inform all your healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists, that you are taking this medication. Until you understand how this drug affects you, avoid driving and other activities that require alertness.

Monitor your blood pressure regularly, as prescribed by your doctor, since this medication can cause high blood pressure. However, please note that this drug is not intended to prevent or reduce the frequency of migraine headaches.

If you experience a headache that is different from your typical migraine, consult your doctor before taking this medication. Be aware that taking a higher dose or using this medication more frequently than directed by your doctor may worsen your headaches.

Exercise caution if you have risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, being overweight, having high blood sugar or diabetes, smoking cigarettes, being a male over 40 years old, having a family history of early heart disease, or being a postmenopausal female. Discuss these risks with your doctor.

If you are 65 years or older, use this medication with caution, as you may be more susceptible to side effects. Additionally, if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, consult your doctor to discuss the potential benefits and risks to you and your baby.

• Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) or within 2 weeks of discontinuing MAOIs (risk of serotonin syndrome, hypertensive crisis)
• Other 5-HT1 agonists (triptans) (risk of additive cardiovascular effects)
• Ergot-type medications (e.g., ergotamine, dihydroergotamine, methysergide) or within 24 hours of discontinuing (risk of prolonged vasospastic reactions)

• Propranolol (increases rizatriptan plasma concentrations; requires dose adjustment of rizatriptan)
• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) (risk of serotonin syndrome)
• Cimetidine (increases rizatriptan plasma concentrations; requires dose adjustment of rizatriptan)

• Chest pain, tightness, pressure, or heaviness in the chest, throat, neck, or jaw (could indicate cardiac ischemia)
• Shortness of breath
• Weakness or numbness of an arm or leg, or one side of the body (could indicate stroke)
• Sudden severe headache (could indicate subarachnoid hemorrhage)
• Vision changes
• Dizziness, drowsiness
• Tingling or numbness (paresthesias)
• Nausea, vomiting
• Signs of serotonin syndrome: agitation, hallucinations, rapid heart beat, fever, sweating, shivering, muscle stiffness or twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.

Category C. Use only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Animal studies show adverse effects, but no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Consult with a healthcare provider.

L3 (Moderately Safe). Rizatriptan is excreted into breast milk. The amount is small, and adverse effects in breastfed infants are unlikely but possible. Monitor infant for drowsiness, poor feeding, or irritability. Consider waiting 8-12 hours after a dose before breastfeeding to minimize infant exposure.

Approved for acute treatment of migraine in patients 6 to 17 years of age. Dosing is weight-based for children 6-17 years. Safety and efficacy not established in children under 6 years. Close monitoring for adverse effects is crucial.

Use with caution. Elderly patients (over 65 years) may be more sensitive to the effects of triptans and may have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Consider a lower initial dose (5 mg) and monitor closely for adverse cardiovascular events.

• Rizatriptan is most effective when taken at the first sign of a migraine attack, but not during the aura phase if it precedes the headache.
• It is not for prevention of migraines or for treating cluster headaches.
• Patients should be screened for cardiovascular risk factors before starting triptan therapy.
• Advise patients to report any chest pain, shortness of breath, or other concerning symptoms immediately.
• Counsel patients on the risk of serotonin syndrome when co-administered with SSRIs, SNRIs, or other serotonergic drugs.
• Medication overuse headache (MOH) is a risk with frequent use (more than 10 days per month). Educate patients on this risk and encourage limiting use.

• Other Triptans (e.g., Sumatriptan, Zolmitriptan, Eletriptan, Frovatriptan, Naratriptan, Almotriptan)
• CGRP Receptor Antagonists (e.g., Rimegepant, Ubrogepant)
• NSAIDs (e.g., Ibuprofen, Naproxen)
• Acetaminophen
• Ergotamines (e.g., Ergotamine/Caffeine)
• Anti-emetics (e.g., Metoclopramide, Prochlorperazine) for associated nausea/vomiting
• Non-pharmacological treatments (e.g., rest in a dark, quiet room, cold compress)

If your symptoms or health condition do not improve or worsen over time, it is essential to contact your doctor for further evaluation and guidance. To ensure safe and effective treatment, never share your medication with others or take someone else's medication. Some medications may have additional patient information leaflets, so it is a good idea to consult with your pharmacist for more information. If you have any questions or concerns about your medication, do not hesitate to discuss them with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. In the event of a suspected overdose, immediately call your local poison control center or seek emergency medical attention. When reporting the incident, be prepared to provide details about the medication taken, the amount, and the time it occurred.