Maxalt, Box

Chemical Name: RIZATRIPTAN

Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects.

Common uses

This medicine is a cerebral vasoconstrictor used to relieve certain types of migraine headache attacks as they occur. It will not prevent or reduce the number of attacks you experience.

Before using

Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within the last 14 days. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking ergot alkaloids. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have a history of chest pain, vascular or heart conditions, arrhythmias, stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), or high blood pressure. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking this medicine.

Directions

Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. THIS MEDICINE COMES WITH A PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. SWALLOW WHOLE. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing. Take this medicine with water. IT IS BEST TO TAKE A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE as soon as you notice symptoms of a migraine attack. If your headache returns, a second dose may be taken. Allow at least 2 hours between doses of this medicine. DO NOT TAKE ADDITIONAL DOSES if you do not get a response from the first dose. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C), away from heat and light.

Cautions

DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE without checking with your doctor. THIS MEDICINE IS NOT INTENDED to prevent or reduce the number of migraine attacks that you experience. IF YOU HAVE A HEADACHE THAT IS DIFFERENT than your usual migraine attacks, check with your doctor before using this medicine. BEFORE YOU BEGIN USING THIS MEDICINE, give your doctor and pharmacist a list of all prescription and non-prescription medicines that you are using to treat and prevent migraine attacks. DO NOT USE ERGOT-CONTAINING MEDICINES or other migraine headache medicines within 24 hours of using this medicine. If you have questions about which medicines contain ergot, ask your doctor or pharmacist. BEFORE USING THIS MEDICINE, TELL YOUR DOCTOR if you have had chest pains, heart disease, shortness of breath, fast or irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes. Also tell your doctor if you smoke, have had a heart attack or stroke, have liver or kidney disease, or if you are a woman who has gone through menopause. If you develop any of these conditions while you are taking this medicine, notify your doctor. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. IF YOU EXPERIENCE difficulty breathing; tightness of chest; swelling of eyelids, face, or lips; or if you develop a rash or hives, tell your doctor immediately. Do not take any more of this medicine unless your doctor tells you to do so. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. IT IS UNKNOWN IF THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED in breast milk. IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while you are using this medicine, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects

SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, drowsiness, or fatigue. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience unusual weakness; pain or tightness in the jaw, neck, or chest; changes in vision; stomach pain; bloody diarrhea; very fast or irregular heartbeat; cold/tingling/numb hands or feet; or fainting or unsteadiness. IF YOU EXPERIENCE difficulty breathing; tightness of chest; swelling of eyelids, face, or lips; or if you develop a rash or hives, tell your doctor immediately. Do not take any more doses of this medicine unless your doctor tells you to do so. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

Drug interactions

Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions.

If you take too much

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include unusual dizziness or drowsiness; slow, fast or irregular heartbeat; and vomiting.