Rizatriptan

Rizatriptan, sold under the brand name Maxalt among others, is a medication used for the treatment of migraine headaches. It should be used as soon as the headache starts. It is taken by mouth. Rizatriptan, sold under the brand name Maxalt among others, is a medication used for the treatment of migraine headaches. It should be used as soon as the headache starts. It is taken by mouth. Common side effects include chest pain, dizziness, dry mouth, and tingling. Other side effects may include myocardial infarction, stroke, high blood pressure, serotonin syndrome, and anaphylaxis. Excessive use may result in medication overuse headaches. Use is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended within 24 hours after taking a dose. Rizatriptan is in the triptan class and is believed to work by activating the 5-HT1 receptor. Rizatriptan was patented in 1991 and came into medical use in 1998. It is available as a generic medication. A dose in the United Kingdom costs the NHS about 3.10 £ as of 2019. In the United States the wholesale cost of this amount is about US$0.73. In 2016 it was the 232nd most prescribed medication in the United States with more than 2 million prescriptions. Rizatriptan is used to treat acute migraine attacks with or without aura. It does not prevent future migraine attacks. Rizatriptan is also used off-label to treat cluster headaches.