Maxalt

Maxalt

     * Generic Name: rizatriptan benzoate
     * Brand Name: Maxalt


     * What is rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT)?
     * What are the possible side effects of rizatriptan (Maxalt,
       Maxalt-MLT)?
     * What is the most important information I should know about
       rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT)?
     * What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using
       rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT)?
     * How should I use rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT)?
     * What happens if I miss a dose (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT)?
     * What happens if I overdose (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT)?
     * What should I avoid while using rizatriptan (Maxalt,
       Maxalt-MLT)?
     * What other drugs will affect rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT)?
     * Where can I get more information (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT)?

What is rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT)?

   Rizatriptan is a headache medicine that narrows the blood vessels
   around the brain. Rizatriptan also reduces substances in the body that
   can trigger headache pain, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound,
   and other migraine symptoms.

   Rizatriptan is used to treat migraine headaches. Rizatriptan will only
   treat a headache that has already begun. It will not prevent headaches
   or reduce the number of attacks.

   Rizatriptan should not be used to treat a common tension headache,
   a headache that causes loss of movement on one side of your body, or
   any headache that seems to be different from your usual migraine
   headaches. Use this medicine only if your condition has been confirmed
   by a doctor as migraine headaches.

   Rizatriptan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication
   guide.

What are the possible side effects of rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT)?

   Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction:
   hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or
   throat.

   Stop using rizatriptan and call your doctor at once if you have:
     * sudden and severe stomach pain and bloody diarrhea;
     * cold feeling or numbness in your feet and hands;
     * heart attack symptoms--chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to
       your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating;
     * high levels of serotonin in the body--agitation,
       hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes,
       nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, fainting;
     * signs of a stroke--sudden numbness or weakness (especially on
       one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech,
       problems with vision or balance; or
     * dangerously high blood pressure--severe headache, blurred vision,
       buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness
       of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure.

   Common side effects may include:
     * dizziness, drowsiness, tired feeling; or
     * pain or a feeling of pressure in your throat or chest.

   This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
   your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
   effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about rizatriptan
(Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT)?

   You should not use this medicine if you have uncontrolled high
   blood pressure, heart problems, a history of heart attack or
   stroke, or circulation problems that cause a lack of blood
   supply within the body.

   Do not take rizatriptan within 24 hours before or after using another
   migraine headache medicine.

   Do not use this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past
   14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue
   injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

   Maxalt Patient Information including How Should I Take
   Migraine Headaches:Symptoms, Triggers and Treatment

   A Visual Guide to Migraine Headaches Slideshow
   Headaches & Migraines: Surprising Headache & Migraine Triggers

   Headache and Migraine Triggers Slideshow
   RxList

   Take the Headaches Quiz

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using rizatriptan
(Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT)?

   You should not use rizatriptan if you are allergic to it, or if you
   have:
     * severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure;
     * past or present heart problems;
     * a history of coronary artery disease, angina (chest pain),
       heart attack, or stroke, including "mini-stroke";
     * a blood vessel disorder or circulation problems that cause a lack
       of blood supply within the body; or
     * a headache that seems different from your usual migraine headaches.

   Do not use rizatriptan if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14
   days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include
   isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine,
   rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

   To make sure rizatriptan is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
     * liver or kidney disease;
     * high blood pressure, a heart rhythm disorder;
     * a condition for which you take propranolol (Hemangeol,
       Inderal, InnoPran); or
     * coronary heart disease (or risk factors such as diabetes,
       menopause, smoking, being overweight, having high
       cholesterol, having a family history of coronary artery
       disease, being older than 40 and a man, or being a woman who has
       had a hysterectomy).

   Rizatriptan disintegrating tablets may contain phenylalanine. Talk
   to your doctor before using this form of rizatriptan if you have
   phenylketonuria (PKU).

   It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell
   your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

   It is not known whether rizatriptan passes into breast milk or if it
   could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
   baby.

   Rizatriptan is not approved for use by anyone younger than 6 years old.

How should I use rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT)?

   Your doctor may want to give your first dose of this medicine in a
   hospital or clinic setting to quickly treat any serious side effects
   that occur.

   Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this
   medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

   Take rizatriptan as soon as you notice migraine symptoms.

   Take the regular tablet whole with a full glass of water.

   To take the orally disintegrating tablet (Maxalt-MLT):
     * Keep the tablet in its blister pack until you are ready to take it.
       Open the package and peel back the foil. Do not push a tablet
       through the foil or you may damage the tablet.
     * Use dry hands to remove the tablet and place it in your mouth.
     * Do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve in your mouth
       without chewing. If desired, you may drink liquid to help swallow
       the dissolved tablet.

   After taking a tablet (for adults): If your headache does not
   completely go away, or goes away and comes back, take a second tablet 2
   hours after the first. Do not take more than 30 mg of rizatriptan in 24
   hours. If your symptoms have not improved, contact your doctor before
   taking any more tablets.

   After taking a tablet (for children ages 6 to 17): If your headache
   does not completely go away, or goes away and comes back, contact your
   doctor before taking any more tablets.

   Call your doctor if your headache does not go away at all after taking
   the first rizatriptan tablet.

   Never use more than your recommended dose. Overuse of migraine
   headache medicine can make headaches worse.

   Contact your doctor if you have more than four headaches in one month
   (30 days). Do not take migraine headache medication for longer than 10
   days per month. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working
   as well in treating your migraine attacks.

   Rizatriptan can raise blood pressure to dangerous levels. Your blood
   pressure may need to be checked often while you are using this
   medicine. If you use rizatriptan long-term, your heart function may
   need to be checked using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes
   called an EKG).

   Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

   Maxalt Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
   Migraine Headaches:Symptoms, Triggers and Treatment

   A Visual Guide to Migraine Headaches Slideshow
   Headaches & Migraines: Surprising Headache & Migraine Triggers

   Headache and Migraine Triggers Slideshow
   RxList

   Take the Headaches Quiz

What happens if I miss a dose (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT)?

   Since rizatriptan is used as needed, it does not have a daily dosing
   schedule. Call your doctor promptly if your symptoms do not improve
   after using rizatriptan.

What happens if I overdose (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT)?

   Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
   1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while using rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT)?

   Do not take rizatriptan within 24 hours before or after using another
   migraine headache medicine, including:
     * medicines like rizatriptan--almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan,
       naratriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan, and others; or
     * ergot medicine--dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, ergonovine,
       methylergonovine.

   Rizatriptan may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you
   drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

What other drugs will affect rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT)?

   Taking rizatriptan while you are using certain other medicines can
   cause high levels of serotonin to build up in your body, a condition
   called "serotonin syndrome," which can be fatal. Tell your doctor if
   you also use:
     * medicine to treat depression;
     * medicine to treat a psychiatric disorder;
     * a narcotic (opioid) medication; or
     * medicine to prevent nausea and vomiting.

   This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with rizatriptan,
   including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and
   herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this
   medication guide.

Where can I get more information (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT)?

   Your pharmacist can provide more information about rizatriptan.
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