Rizatriptan Tablet – Oral, Maxalt

Rizatriptan is used to treat migraines. It helps relieve headache, pain, and other migraine symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. Prompt treatment helps you return to your normal routine and may decrease your need for other pain medications. Rizatriptan belongs to a class of drugs called triptans. It affects serotonin, a natural substance that narrows blood vessels in the brain. It may also relieve pain by affecting certain nerves in the brain. Rizatriptan does not prevent future migraines or reduce the frequency of migraine attacks.

Read the Patient Information Leaflet before you start taking rizatriptan and each time you get a refill. Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor at the first sign of a migraine. It may be taken with or without food, but it may work faster on an empty stomach. The dosage is based on your medical condition, age, response to treatment, and other drugs you may be taking. For children, the dosage is based on weight. Inform your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use, including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products. If there is no improvement in your symptoms, do not take more doses of this medication before consulting your doctor. Adults may take another dose at least 2 hours after the first dose if their symptoms are only partially relieved or if their headache recurs. Children should not exceed one dose or 5 milligrams in a 24-hour period. The US manufacturer recommends a maximum dose of 30 milligrams in a 24-hour period for adults, while the Canadian manufacturer recommends a maximum dose of 20 milligrams in a 24-hour period for adults. If you have a higher risk of heart problems, your doctor may perform a heart exam before you start taking rizatriptan. He or she may also direct you to take your first dose in the office or clinic to monitor for serious side effects such as chest pain. Overusing drugs to treat sudden migraine attacks can sometimes worsen headaches or cause rebound headaches. Therefore, do not use this medication more often or for longer than prescribed. Inform your doctor if you need to use this medication more frequently, if the medication is not as effective, or if you experience more frequent or severe headaches. Your doctor may need to adjust your medication regimen or prescribe additional medication to prevent headaches.

Flushing, tingling/numbness, tiredness, weakness, drowsiness, or dizziness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Chest, jaw, or neck tightness can commonly occur soon after using rizatriptan, but these signs are rarely indicative of a serious condition. However, you may not be able to distinguish them from a serious reaction caused by a lack of blood flow to the heart, brain, or other parts of the body. Seek medical help immediately if you experience any severe side effects, including chest pain, jaw/left arm pain, fainting, rapid/irregular/pounding heartbeat, vision changes, weakness on one side of the body, confusion, slurred speech, sudden or severe stomach/abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, change in urine output. This medication may increase serotonin levels and rarely cause serotonin syndrome/toxicity. Seek immediate medical help if you develop symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, hallucinations, loss of coordination, severe dizziness, severe nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, muscle twitching, unexplained fever, unusual agitation/restlessness. Serious allergic reactions to this drug are rare, but if you notice any symptoms such as rash, itching/swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing, seek immediate medical attention. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. Notify your doctor or pharmacist if you experience any other effects. In the US, contact your doctor or call the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada, contact your doctor or call Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before using rizatriptan, inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients that can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Discuss your medical history with your doctor or pharmacist, especially if you have blood circulation problems, certain types of headaches, heart problems, liver disease, a history of seizures, stroke or "mini-stroke," or any other significant medical conditions. Certain conditions can increase your risk for heart problems, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, a family history of heart disease, being overweight, being a smoker, being postmenopausal, and being over 40 years old (if you are male). This drug may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Do not operate machinery or engage in activities that require alertness until you are certain you can do so safely. Limit alcohol consumption. Prior to undergoing surgery, notify your doctor or dentist of all the products you use. The risk of heart disease, liver disease, and high blood pressure increases with age. Older adults may be more susceptible to the side effects of this drug, particularly increased blood pressure and cardiac problems. This medication should only be used during pregnancy if clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is unknown whether this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

QUESTION

Rizatriptan may interact with other medications, potentially altering their effectiveness or increasing the risk of serious side effects. This document does not include all possible drug interactions. Maintain a list of all the products you use, including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products, and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medication without the approval of your doctor. Taking MAO inhibitors with rizatriptan can lead to a serious and possibly fatal drug interaction. Do not take any MAO inhibitors during treatment with rizatriptan. Most MAO inhibitors should also be avoided for at least two weeks prior to rizatriptan treatment. Alert your doctor as to when to initiate or discontinue treatment with rizatriptan. The risk of serotonin syndrome/toxicity increases when taking other drugs that increase serotonin. Examples include recreational drugs like MDMA/"ecstasy," St. John’s wort, certain antidepressants, and other medications. The risk of serotonin syndrome/ toxicity may be greater when starting or increasing the dosage of these drugs. If you also take ergotamine medications or other "triptan" drugs, such as sumatriptan or zolmitriptan, you should separate your rizatriptan dosage by at least 24 hours from your other medication dosage to reduce the risk of serious side effects. In the event of a suspected overdose, immediately contact a poison control center or emergency room. In the US, call the local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. In Canada, call a provincial poison control center. Do not share this medication with others. Avoid migraine triggers such as certain foods, beverages, food additives, irregular eating/sleeping patterns, and stress. Consult your doctor for more information. Regular laboratory and/or medical tests, such as blood pressure monitoring, may be required to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more information. No dosage is missed if not applicable. Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications out of reach of children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard when expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company. Last revised October 2013. Copyright (c) 2013 First Databank, Inc.

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