Rizatriptan (Maxalt-MLT™) disintegrating tablets
What are rizatriptan disintegrating tablets?
RIZATRIPTAN (Maxalt-MLT™) helps to relieve a migraine attack that starts with or without aura (a peculiar feeling or visual disturbance that warns you of an attack). Generic rizatriptan tablets are not yet available.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- bowel disease or colitis
- diabetes
- family history of heart disease
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- headaches that are different from your usual migraine
- heart or blood vessel disease, angina (chest pain), or previous heart attack
- high blood pressure
- high cholesterol
- history of stroke, transient ischemic attacks (TIAs or “mini-strokes"), or intracranial bleeding
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- overweight
- poor circulation
- postmenopausal or surgical removal of uterus and ovaries
- Raynaud’s syndrome
- seizure disorder
- tobacco smoker
- an unusual or allergic reaction to rizatriptan other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- unable to take aspartame-containing products
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- breast-feeding
How should I take this medicine?
Rizatriptan is taken at the first symptoms of a migraine attack; it is not for everyday use. Leave the rizatriptan disintegrating tablet in the foil package until you are ready to take it. Do not push the tablet through the blister pack. Peel open the blister pack with dry hands and place the tablet on your tongue. The tablet will dissolve rapidly and be swallowed in your saliva. It is not necessary to drink any water to take this medicine. If your migraine headache returns after one dose, you can take another dose anytime after 2 hours of taking the first dose. Do not take more than 30 mg of rizatriptan in 24 hours. If there is no improvement at all after the first dose, do not take a second dose without talking to your prescriber or health care professional. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose?
This does not apply, rizatriptan is not for regular use.
What drug(s) may interact with rizatriptan?
Do not take rizatriptan with any of the following medicines:
- amphetamine or cocaine
- dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, eroloid mesylates, methysergide, or ergot-type medication - do not take within 24 hours of taking rizatriptan.
- almotriptan, eletriptan, naratriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan - do not take within 24 hours of taking rizatriptan.
- medicines for weight loss such as dexfenfluramine, dextroamphetamine, fenfluramine, or sibutramine
- monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as phenelzine (Nardil®), tranylcypromine (Parnate®), isocarboxazid (Marplan®), and selegiline (Carbex®, Eldepryl®) - do not take rizatriptan within 2 weeks of stopping MAOI therapy.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take any of these medications:
- cough syrup or other products containing dextromethorphan
- feverfew
- lithium
- medicines for mental depression, anxiety or mood problems such as buspirone, citalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, mirtazapine, nefazodone, paroxetine, sertraline, trazodone, tricyclic antidepressants, or venlafaxine
- meperidine
- propranolol
- St. John’s wort
- tryptophan
Tell your prescriber or other health care professional about all other medicines you are taking including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also, tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check before stopping or starting any of your medications.
What side effects may I notice from taking rizatriptan?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber as soon as possible:
Rare or uncommon:
- chest, neck, or throat pain or tightness
- dizziness or faintness
- fast or irregular heart beat, palpitations
- feeling of chest heaviness or pressure
- severe stomach pain and cramping, bloody diarrhea
- shortness of breath, wheezing, or difficulty breathing
- tingling, pain, or numbness in the face, hands or feet
- unusual reaction or swelling of the skin, eyelids, face, or lips
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
- change in taste
- diarrhea
- drowsiness
- dry mouth
- hot flashes, feeling warm, flushing, or redness of the face
- nausea, vomiting, or stomach upset
- shakiness or tremor
- tiredness or weakness
What should I watch for while taking rizatriptan?
Only take rizatriptan tablets for a migraine headache. Take it if you get warning symptoms or at the start of a migraine attack. Rizatriptan is not for regular use to prevent migraine attacks.
Do not take migraine products that contain ergotamine or while you are taking rizatriptan; this combination can affect your heart.
You may get drowsy, dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how rizatriptan affects you. To reduce dizzy or fainting spells, do not sit or stand up quickly. Alcohol can increase drowsiness, dizziness and flushing. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
Smoking cigarettes may increase the risk of heart-related side effects from using rizatriptan.
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children. Do not remove the rizatriptan disintegrating tablet from the package until you are ready to use it. Make sure to keep the tablets dry to prevent them from dissolving prior to using them.
Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30C). Protect from light and moisture. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
[ Last Revised: 5/20/2002 ]
NOTE: This information is not intended to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions, or adverse effects for this drug. If you have questions about the drug(s) you are taking, check with your health care professional.
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