Common Use

Maxalt is a medication used to treat migraines. Its active ingredient, rizatriptan benzoate, works as a selective agonist of 5-hydroxytryptamine 1D receptors. The medication starts to take effect within 30 minutes after consumption. It is specifically designed to alleviate headaches that have already begun and is not intended for preventing migraine attacks.

Dosage and Direction

Take Maxalt in single doses of either 5 mg or 10 mg, ensuring a minimum interval of two hours between doses. The maximum daily dose should not exceed 30 mg. Avoid opening the blister pack in advance. Do not swallow the tablet whole or chew it; instead, let it dissolve slowly in your mouth immediately after opening the blister. Never push the tablet through the foil.

Precautions

Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have any of the following conditions: high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, a history of smoking, a family history of stroke, heart disease, or obesity. Avoid exceeding the recommended dose, as this may worsen your headache. Maxalt tablets may contain phenylalanine, so patients with phenylketonuria should use them with caution.

Contraindications

Maxalt should not be used by individuals who are hypersensitive to the drug or its components. It is also contraindicated for patients currently taking MAO inhibitors, those with hypertension, coronary insufficiency, myocardial infarction, asymptomatic ischemia, Prinzmetal's angina, or basilar and hemiplegic migraine. Additionally, Maxalt is not recommended for adolescents under 18 years of age.

Possible Side Effects

Common side effects of Maxalt include:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Abdominal pain
• Chest pain
• Palpitations
• Tachycardia
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dry mouth
• Diarrhea
• Dyspepsia
• Thirst
• Neck pain
• Stiffness
• Myasthenia
• Paresthesia (numbness or tingling)
• Decreased mental activity
• Insomnia
• Hyperesthesia
• Tremor
• Ataxia
• Anxiety
• Disorientation
• Throat discomfort
• Shortness of breath
• Skin flushing and itching
• Increased sweating
• Blurred vision
• Flushing
• Fainting
• Hypertension

Drug Interaction

MAO inhibitors and propranolol can increase the blood concentration of Maxalt. Avoid taking Maxalt if you have used MAO inhibitors within the last two weeks. MAO inhibitors include rasagiline (Azilect), isocarboxazid (Marplan), selegiline (Emsam, Eldepryl), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and phenelzine (Nardil). Additionally, do not take Maxalt if you have used other headache medications within the last 24 hours, such as:

• Eletriptan (Relpax)
• Almotriptan (Axert)
• Naratriptan (Amerge)
• Frovatriptan (Frova)
• Zolmitriptan (Zomig)
• Sumatriptan (Imitrex, Treximet)
• Ergot medications (ergotamine, dihydroergotamine, methylergonovine, ergonovine, methysergide)

Missed Dose

Maxalt is taken as needed and does not follow a regular dosing schedule.

Overdose

Symptoms of an overdose may include severe headache, dizziness, sleepiness, fainting, bradycardia, vomiting, urinary incontinence, shortness of breath, buzzing in the ears, and uneven heartbeats.

Storage

Store Maxalt at a temperature between 15-30°C (59-86°F). Keep it in a tight, light-resistant container and protect it from moisture.

Disclaimer

The information provided here is general and does not cover all directions, possible drug interactions, or precautions. It should not be used for self-treatment or self-diagnosis. Always consult a healthcare professional for specific instructions tailored to your condition. We disclaim any responsibility for the accuracy of this information or any consequences resulting from its use.