Rizatriptan ODT 10mg Tablets
Overview
What is this medicine?
How to Use This Medicine
To get the most benefit from this medication, follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Read all the information provided to you and follow the instructions closely.
General Instructions for All Patients
You can take this medication with or without food.
Take the medication as soon as possible after your symptoms start.
Make sure your hands are dry before handling the medication.
If your medication comes in a blister pack, remove the tablet just before use. To do this, peel back the foil on the blister pack, but do not push the tablet through the foil, as this may cause it to break.
Place the tablet on your tongue and let it dissolve. You do not need to drink water with it. Do not swallow the tablet whole, and do not chew, break, or crush it.
Dosage Instructions for Adults
If your headache does not improve after taking the first dose, consult your doctor.
If your headache returns, you may take a second dose if your doctor has instructed you to do so. However, be sure to wait at least 2 hours after the first dose before taking the second dose.
Dosage Instructions for Children
If your child's headache does not improve, improves but then returns, or if your child only gets some relief, consult your doctor before giving another dose.
Storing and Disposing of Your Medication
Store your medication at room temperature in a dry place. Avoid storing it in a bathroom.
Missing a Dose
Since this medication is taken as needed, you do not need to worry about missing a dose. However, do not take more medication than your doctor has prescribed.
Lifestyle & Tips
- Take at the first sign of a migraine headache, but not before the headache starts (not for prevention).
- Do not take more than the prescribed dose or more than 30 mg in 24 hours (15 mg if taking propranolol).
- Avoid migraine triggers (e.g., certain foods, stress, lack of sleep, strong smells).
- Rest in a quiet, dark room after taking the medication to help with symptom relief.
Available Forms & Alternatives
Dosing & Administration
Adult Dosing
Condition-Specific Dosing:
Pediatric Dosing
Dose Adjustments
Renal Impairment:
Hepatic Impairment:
Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption:
Distribution:
Elimination:
Pharmacodynamics
Safety & Warnings
Side Effects
Although rare, some people may experience severe and potentially life-threatening side effects while taking this medication. If you notice 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
+ Tingling
Severe stomach problems, including:
+ Upset stomach
+ Vomiting
+ Stomach pain
+ Bloody diarrhea
Muscle symptoms, such as:
+ 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, upset stomach, 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, such as:
+ 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 help if you notice any of the following:
Feeling dizzy, sleepy, tired, or weak
Upset stomach
* Other side effects that bother you or do not go away
Reporting 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.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention If You Experience:
- Sudden or severe chest pain, jaw pain, or neck pain (could be heart-related)
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness or numbness on one side of the body
- Slurred speech
- Vision changes
- Severe stomach pain or bloody diarrhea
- Signs of serotonin syndrome: agitation, hallucinations, rapid heart rate, fever, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (especially if taking antidepressants like SSRIs/SNRIs)
Before Using This Medicine
It is essential to inform your doctor about the following conditions to ensure safe treatment:
Any allergies you have, including allergies to this medication, its components, or other substances. Be sure to 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 antidepressant 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 medications similar to these
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. This will help ensure your safety while taking this medication. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without consulting your doctor.
Precautions & Cautions
Monitor your blood pressure regularly, as prescribed by your doctor, because this medication can cause high blood pressure.
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 cautious not to exceed the dosage or frequency of this medication as prescribed by your doctor, as taking more than recommended may worsen your headaches.
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 post-menopausal female, discuss these risks with your doctor.
If you have phenylketonuria (PKU), consult your doctor, as some products contain phenylalanine.
If you are 65 years or older, use this medication with caution, as you may be more susceptible to side effects.
If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, discuss the potential benefits and risks of this medication with your doctor to make an informed decision regarding you and your baby.
Overdose Information
Overdose Symptoms:
- Dizziness
- Somnolence (sleepiness)
- Vomiting
- Bradycardia (slow heart rate)
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Hypotension (low blood pressure)
- ECG abnormalities (e.g., QT interval prolongation)
- Convulsions
What to Do:
Seek immediate medical attention or call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Treatment is supportive and symptomatic. Monitor ECG and vital signs.
Drug Interactions
Contraindicated Interactions
- Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) (concurrently or within 2 weeks of MAOI discontinuation)
- Ergot-type drugs (e.g., ergotamine, dihydroergotamine, methysergide) (within 24 hours)
- Other 5-HT1 agonists (triptans) (within 24 hours)
Major Interactions
- Propranolol (increases rizatriptan plasma concentrations; requires dose adjustment of rizatriptan)
Moderate Interactions
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) (increased risk of serotonin syndrome)
- Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) (increased risk of serotonin syndrome)
Minor Interactions
- St. John's Wort (potential for increased serotonin syndrome risk)
Monitoring
Baseline Monitoring
Rationale: To rule out underlying cardiovascular disease (e.g., ischemic heart disease, uncontrolled hypertension) for which triptans are contraindicated.
Timing: Prior to initiation of therapy, especially in patients with risk factors.
Routine Monitoring
Frequency: With each use
Target: Significant reduction or elimination of migraine pain and associated symptoms.
Action Threshold: Lack of efficacy after appropriate dosing may warrant consideration of alternative treatments.
Frequency: With each use
Target: Absence or mild, transient symptoms.
Action Threshold: Persistent, severe, or atypical symptoms (e.g., severe chest pain suggestive of ischemia) require immediate medical evaluation.
Frequency: Especially when co-administered with SSRIs/SNRIs
Target: Absence of mental status changes, autonomic instability, neuromuscular abnormalities, or GI symptoms.
Action Threshold: Presence of any symptoms requires immediate discontinuation and medical attention.
Symptom Monitoring
- Chest pain or tightness
- Neck pain or tightness
- Jaw pain or tightness
- Tingling or numbness (paresthesias)
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Flushing
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Muscle rigidity
- Agitation or restlessness
- Confusion
- Rapid heart rate
- High blood pressure
- Fever
- Hallucinations
- Loss of coordination
Special Patient Groups
Pregnancy
Rizatriptan is Pregnancy Category C. Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the fetus, but there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Use only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Trimester-Specific Risks:
Lactation
Rizatriptan is excreted into breast milk in small amounts. The American Academy of Pediatrics considers it compatible with breastfeeding. However, LactMed suggests a low risk to the infant but advises monitoring for drowsiness or poor feeding. Consider waiting 12-24 hours after a dose before breastfeeding to minimize infant exposure.
Pediatric Use
Approved for acute treatment of migraine in adolescents 6 to 17 years of age. Dosing is weight-based. Safety and effectiveness in children younger than 6 years have not been established.
Geriatric Use
Use with caution in elderly patients (over 65 years of age) due to a higher likelihood of concomitant cardiovascular disease and potential for increased sensitivity to the drug's effects. No specific dose adjustment is generally required unless hepatic or renal impairment is present, but lower initial doses may be considered.
Clinical Information
Clinical Pearls
- Rizatriptan ODT is designed to dissolve on the tongue and can be taken without water, which is convenient for patients experiencing nausea or who do not have access to water.
- It is an acute migraine treatment and should not be used for migraine prophylaxis or for cluster headaches.
- Patients should be screened for cardiovascular risk factors before initiating triptan therapy, especially those with a history of heart disease, stroke, or uncontrolled hypertension.
- Advise patients to report any chest pain, shortness of breath, or other concerning symptoms immediately after taking the medication.
- Counsel patients on the risk of serotonin syndrome when co-administered with SSRIs, SNRIs, or other serotonergic agents.
Alternative Therapies
- Other Triptans (e.g., Sumatriptan, Zolmitriptan, Eletriptan, Frovatriptan, Naratriptan, Almotriptan)
- NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen)
- Acetaminophen
- Ergot alkaloids (e.g., ergotamine, dihydroergotamine)
- CGRP receptor antagonists (e.g., Ubrogepant, Rimegepant)
- Ditans (e.g., Lasmiditan)
- Anti-emetics (e.g., metoclopramide, prochlorperazine) for associated nausea/vomiting