Rizatriptan tablets
What do rizatriptan tablets do?
RIZATRIPTAN (Maxalt(R)) helps to relieve a migraine attack that starts with or without aura (a peculiar feeling or visual disturbance that warns you of an attack).
What should my health care professional know before I take rizatriptan?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
• bowel disease or colitis
• diabetes
• family history of heart disease
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• headaches that are different from your usual migraine
• heart or blood vessel disease, angina (chest pain), or previous heart attack
• high blood pressure
• high cholesterol
• history of stroke, transient ischemic attacks (TIAs or "mini-strokes"), or intracranial bleeding
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• overweight
• poor circulation
• postmenopausal or surgical removal of uterus and ovaries
• Raynaud's syndrome
• seizure disorder
• tobacco smoker
• an unusual or allergic reaction to rizatriptan other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• unable to take aspartame-containing products
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding
How should I take this medicine?
Rizatriptan is taken by mouth. Follow the directions on your prescription vial. Rizatriptan is taken at the first symptoms of a migraine attack; it is not for everyday use. Swallow the tablet whole with a drink of water. If your migraine headache returns after one dose, you can take another dose anytime after 2 hours of taking the first dose. Do not take more than 30 mg of rizatriptan in 24 hours. If there is no improvement at all after the first dose, do not take a second dose without talking to your prescriber or health care professional. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose?
This does not apply, rizatriptan is not for regular use.
What other medicines can interact with rizatriptan?
Do not take rizatriptan with any of the following medicines:
• amphetamine or cocaine
• dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, eroloid mesylates, methysergide, or ergot-type medication - do not take within 24 hours of taking rizatriptan.
• almotriptan, eletriptan, naratriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan - do not take within 24 hours of taking rizatriptan.
• medicines for weight loss such as dexfenfluramine, dextroamphetamine, fenfluramine, or sibutramine
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as phenelzine (Nardil(R)), tranylcypromine (Parnate(R)), isocarboxazid (Marplan(R)), and selegiline (Carbex(R), Eldepryl(R)) - do not take rizatriptan within 2 weeks of stopping MAOI therapy.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take any of these medications:
• cough syrup or other products containing dextromethorphan
• feverfew
• lithium
• medicines for mental depression or mental problems such as buspirone, citalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, mirtazapine, nefazodone, paroxetine, sertraline, trazodone, tricyclic antidepressants, or venlafaxine
• meperidine
• propranolol
• St. John's wort
• tryptophan
Tell your prescriber or other health care professional about all other medicines you are taking including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also, tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check before stopping or starting any of your medications.