This page provides details of the prescription pharmacy drug Maxalt. For further information please click one of the links below:
| Pharmacy Drug Brand Name: |
Maxalt® and Maxalt-MLT |
| Active Ingredient(s): |
rizatriptan benzoate |
| Strength(s) / Dose(s): |
5 mg and 10 mg |
| Delivery / Dosage Form(s): |
Tablets and Orally Disintegrating Tablets |
| Company Manufacturer Name: |
Merck & Co., Inc. |
| Availability / Prescription: |
Prescription only |
| Date Approved by FDA *: |
June 29, 1998 |
* Approval by the FDA does not necessarily mean that this drug is available for consumers at this time.
What is Maxalt used for?
Maxalt is used for the short term treatment of most types of migraine attacks in adults. Maxalt is not used to prevent migraines, or to decrease the number of migraine attacks. Maxalt has not been shown to treat cluster headaches.
Who should not take Maxalt?
- History of heart or circulatory disease or damage, including heart attack, angina (chest pain or discomfort), 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 (healthcare) provider will evaluate you to decide if Maxalt is right for you:
- Risk factors for heart disease or damage including, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, smoking, strong family history of heart disease or damage, or if you are postmenopausal, or a male over 40
- Severe kidney disease or damage
- Moderate or severe liver disease or damage
What are some possible side effects of Maxalt? (This is not a comprehensive list of possible side effects assosciated with Maxalt. Your doctor or pharmacist can provide expert advice on the possible side effects of this drug.)
Some signs of rare but serious side effects include:
- pain or discomfort, pressure or tightness in the chest or throat. If severe, or does not go away, call your health care (healthcare) provider right away. If this happens at all, discuss with your health care (healthcare) 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 (healthcare) provider right away.
Other side effects may include:
- Chest heaviness, or pressure
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness