An Overview of Maxalt for Migraines

Understand Whether This Triptan Is Right For You

Maxalt (rizatriptan) is a prescription medication used to alleviate migraine episodes. It is one of only a few medications in its category that is approved for adults as well as children as young as age 6.

Maxalt was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998 and is one of seven triptans, which are a category of medications that work similarly to each other and are approved specifically for treatment of acute migraine episodes.

This drug is like other triptans in many ways, but it does have some distinguishing characteristics.

Young Asian woman lying in bed and feeling sick, with a glass of water and medicine on the side table
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Indications

Maxalt and other triptans are typically used to alleviate moderate to severe migraine attacks and may also be used for the treatment of milder migraine episodes that do not respond to over-the-counter analgesics like Advil (ibuprofen), Tylenol (acetaminophen), or Excedrin (acetaminophen/aspirin/caffeine).

Maxalt and other triptans may be beneficial for you if you experience menstrual migraines, if you are young, and if you do not have any cardiovascular risk factors.

Maxalt works faster than most triptans, taking effect within two hours, so it is one of the preferred options to take after your migraine symptoms have already started.

Because of its relatively fast onset of action, Maxalt may be the triptan of choice for you if you do not typically experience prodromal symptoms before your migraines begin.

How It Works

Maxalt and other triptans are 5-HT (serotonin) receptor agonists, which means that they augment the effect of serotonin, a neurotransmitter. This neurotransmitter is involved in regulating mood and pain. Triptans also induce vasoconstriction (narrowing of the blood vessels) in the brain.

Researchers are not sure whether the effects of triptans are related to the vasoconstriction, serotonin-mediated pain, mood receptor activation, or to another action altogether. It is likely that a combination of these effects is at play.

Formulation

Maxalt is available in a tablet form, which can be swallowed, or as a disintegrating tablet, which dissolves on your tongue. The latter may be appealing if you have difficulty swallowing pills. 

The tablet and the disintegrating forms are both available in 5-milligram (mg) and 10-mg doses.

Dosing

The recommended dose of Maxalt is:

  • Adults: You can take 5 mg or 10 mg for migraine, as directed by your healthcare provider. If the migraine does not improve, a repeat dose can be taken two hours later (maximum dose: 30 mg in a 24-hour period).
  • Children age 6 to 17 years: Children who weigh less than 88 pounds (40 kg) can take a 5-mg dose. Children who weigh more than 88 pounds can take a 10-mg dose. The maximum is one dose in any 24-hour period. Repeating a dose is not recommended for children.

Even though it is fast-acting, it is best to take Maxalt at the onset of a migraine so that you can avert the maximal pain and other symptoms of your migraine. If you have a risk for heart problems, your healthcare provider may perform a heart exam before you start taking Maxalt and you may need to take your first dose under medical supervision so you can be monitored for potentially serious side effects, such as chest pain.

Side Effects

Maxalt has the same side effect profile as other triptans.

Common side effects include:

  • Nausea
  • Flushing
  • Fatigue
  • Drowsiness
  • Mild tingling of your hands or fingers

If you experience any of these, talk to your healthcare provider for advice.

Get urgent medical attention if any of the following more serious side effects occur within 48 hours of taking Maxalt:

  • Dry mouth (a symptom of serotonin syndrome, see below)
  • Heaviness, tightness, or pressure in the chest, neck, and/or jaw
  • Fast or pounding heartbeat
  • Sensations of burning on the skin and numbness or tingling, especially of the face
  • Dizziness
  • A severe headache

Complications

Overuse of Maxalt can cause serious complications, including vascular ischemia, which is diminished blood supply. Severe and prolonged vasoconstriction can cause life-threatening ischemia anywhere in the body, potentially inducing a stroke, heart attack, or damage of the internal organs.

Maxalt, like other triptans, can also trigger medication withdrawal headaches, also described as medication overuse headaches or medication rebound headaches. You can experience this type of headache if you take certain medications for a prolonged period of time and then suddenly stop. It is believed that discontinuation of the vasoconstrictive effect of triptans can induce medication withdrawal headaches, which are quite difficult to treat.

Interactions

Since Maxalt and other triptans can interact with some medications, it's important that you provide your healthcare provider with a complete list of all prescription medications, as well as over-the-counter supplements and vitamins. 

Maxalt should not be taken with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), which are antidepressants that, like Maxalt, augment the action of serotonin. These combinations can cause a rare but serious condition called serotonin syndrome, which manifests with anxiety, fevers, jerking movements, tremors, and muscle rigidity.

You also should not use Maxalt within the same 24-hour period as another triptan, ergotamines, or dihydroergotamine. This combination can induce severe vasoconstriction and may cause a stroke, heart attack, or life-threatening ischemia of the gastrointestinal system or kidneys.

Contraindications

While Maxalt is typically considered safe and effective, is not safe if you are pregnant or have certain health conditions. As such, your healthcare provider will ask you questions about your medical history before prescribing Maxalt for your migraines.

You should not use Maxalt if you have any of the following:

Pregnancy and Lactation

If you are taking Maxalt and are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant, it's important to talk with your healthcare provider. Because it's not known whether this medication can harm the fetus, it is not routinely used during pregnancy.

There is limited scientific evidence about the safety of triptans while nursing, so you need to talk with your healthcare provider if you are considering taking Maxalt while nursing.

A Word From Verywell

Maxalt is generally well-tolerated and effective for treatment of acute migraines. It is advised that you limit Maxalt use to less than twice a week to prevent the onset of a medication overuse headache. If you find yourself having more frequent headaches, then you should talk to your healthcare provider about avoiding migraine triggers and possibly taking prophylactic migraine medications.

Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

By Teri Robert
 Teri Robert is a writer, patient educator, and patient advocate focused on migraine and headaches.