Who should not take Maxalt? You should not take Maxalt if you have any of following conditions:

• History of heart or circulatory disease, including heart attack, angina (chest pain), or stroke
• Uncontrolled high blood pressure
• You have taken other migraine medications that are in the same class as Maxalt, or medications containing ergotamine, dihydroergotamine, or methysergide within the past 24 hours
• Hemiplegic or basilar migraine
• Are currently taking monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors such as phenelzine or tranylcypromine, or have taken MAO inhibitors in the past 2 weeks
• Phenylketonuric patients should not take Maxalt-MLT(orally disintegrating tablets), because they contain phenylalanine (a part of aspartame)

General Precautions with Maxalt:

• If you have the following conditions, your health care provider will evaluate you to decide if Maxalt is right for you:
• Risk factors for heart disease including, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, smoking, strong family history of heart disease, or if you are postmenopausal, or a male over 40
• Severe kidney disease
• Moderate or severe liver disease

How should I take Maxalt?  

• Read the patient information that comes with Maxalt for important information.
• If you are taking Maxalt traditional tablets swallow the tablet whole with liquid.
• Maxalt-MLT melts in your mouth. Do not remove the Maxalt-MLT tablet from its package until you are ready to take it. Do not push the tablet through the pack, peel open the blister pack with dry hands. Place the tablet on your tongue. The tablet will dissolve quickly on your tongue and be swallowed with your saliva, no additional liquid is necessary.
• If your headache does not go away after taking one dose of Maxalt, talk to your health care provider before taking any more Maxalt, as you may have another condition. A second dose may be taken 2 hours after taking your first dose.
• Do not take more than 30mg within any 24-hour period.

What are some possible side effects of Maxalt? (This is NOT a complete list of side effects reported with Maxalt. Your health care provider can discuss with you a more complete list of side effects.) 

Some signs of rare but serious side effects include:

• Pain, pressure or tightness in the chest or throat. If severe, or does not go away, call your health care provider right away. If this happens at all, discuss with your health care provider before taking any more Maxalt.
• Rarely, people have a serious allergic reaction to Maxalt. This could cause shortness of breath, wheeziness, heart throbbing, swelling of eyelids, face, or lips, or a skin rash, lumps or hives. If this happens, tell your health care provider right away.

Other side effects may include:

• Chest heaviness, or pressure
• Tiredness
• Dizziness
• Sleepiness

For more detailed information about Maxalt, ask your health care provider.