Maxalt (Rizatriptan) belongs to a class of medications known as 5-hydroxytryptamine agonists (also called triptans). This medication is used to treat migraine headaches. It will only treat a headache that has already begun. It will not prevent headaches or reduce the number of attacks. Maxalt (Rizatriptan) is a headache medication that narrows the blood vessels around the brain. It also reduces substances in the body that can trigger headache pain, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and other migraine symptoms.

Manufacturer Information

Stop using Rizatriptan and call you doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• Heart attack (symptoms include pain, pressure, tightness, or heaviness in the chest, jaw, neck, or shoulder, sweating or shortness of breath);
• Increased or decreased heart rate;
• Irregular or fast heartbeat;
• Severe allergic reaction (symptoms include swelling of the face or throat, hives or difficulty breathing);
• Stroke (symptoms include sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, sudden confusion or problems with speech, sudden vision problems in one or both eyes, dizziness or loss of coordination, severe headache

Less serious side effects include:

• Dizziness, drowsiness, tired feeling;
• Dry mouth, mild nausea;
• Mild headache (not a migraine);
• Pressure of heavy feeling in any part of your body;
• Warmth, redness, or mild tingling under your skin

You should not take Maxalt if you are allergic to Rizatriptan. Maxalt should not be used to treat a common tension headache, a headache that causes loss of movement on one side of the body, or any headache that seems to be different from your usual migraine headaches. Use this medication only if your condition has been confirmed by a doctor as migraine headaches. Do not take Maxalt within 24 hours before or after using another migraine headache medicine. It is unknown whether Maxalt will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using Maxalt. It is unknown whether Rizatriptan passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Maxalt without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give a Maxalt regular tablet to anyone under 18 years old. Maxalt-MLT is used in children who are at least 6 years old.

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