Maxalt Side Effects

A box and the front and back of a Maxalt tablet

Serious Side Effects of Maxalt

tension, pain or aching of the chest
rapid or abnormal heart rate
pain in the throat
blurry vision or impaired vision
serious allergic reaction with side effects of a rash, hives, trouble breathing and swelling of the tongue, throat, mouth, lips or face

Common Side Effects of Maxalt

sleepiness, or feeling tired or weak
feeling dizzy or tingly
shaking or trembling
cold feeling or numbness of the body
stomach ache or pain, nausea or vomiting
bowel changes such as diarrhea or loose stools
pain or cramping of the muscles
dryness of the mouth
redness of the skin, particularly the face

Warnings & Recalls for Maxalt

Maxalt and Pregnancy

Maxalt has been listed as an FDA pregnancy Category C medication. It is not known if Maxalt may cause harm to the fetus when taken during pregnancy; however, when tested in animal studies, use of Maxalt resulted in an increased mortality rate and reduction in birth weight. It is unknown if Maxalt passes through breast-milk or could have an effect on a nursing baby. Let your doctor know if you are pregnant, may become pregnant or are breastfeeding before using Maxalt.

General Warnings

Maxalt should not be used by patients who are allergic to rizatriptan benzoate or have any of the following conditions:

heart problems such as chest pain (angina), coronary heart disease, or a history of heart problems
circulatory issues or blood problems such as uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure)
ischemic colitis (inflamed bowel)
if you are taking any monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors in the past two weeks

To make sure that you may use Maxalt safely as a treatment, let your doctor know if you have:

liver or kidney disorders or disease
heart problems
hypertension (high blood pressure)
phenylketonuria (PKU syndrome, a metabolic disorder)
diabetes
high cholesterol or are overweight
a history of smoking
a family history of coronary heart disease
had a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus in women)
been using or are using any other medications, especially antidepressants

Maxalt Interactions

Maxalt should not be taken within 24 hours of using any other migraine headache treatment. Notify your doctor about all medicines you are using, especially antidepressants or pronolol (an anti-anxiety medicine). Some drugs may interact with Maxalt; ask your doctor which medicines are safe to use while taking Maxalt.

Maxalt Treatment and Use

Maxalt | Rizatriptan benzoate is a selective serotonin receptor agonist class drug marketed by Merck & Co. for treating and preventing symptoms of migraine headaches. Maxalt may be used for reducing side effects of migraine headaches such as:

painful aching in the head
nausea or upset stomach
feeling sensitive to light or noise

Maxalt is not a preventative method for migraine headaches. Maxalt should be used in patients over the age of 6.

How Does Maxalt Work?

Maxalt works by constricting blood vessels and altering the flow of blood in the brain. This slows and prevents the transmission of signals to the receptors caused by the migraine headache that often trigger responses to pain.

How to Use Maxalt

Maxalt comes in tablet or dissolving tablet form to be taken orally. Maxalt is generally recommended to be taken as-needed at the first signs of a migraine headache. Your healthcare provider may instruct you to take a second dose two hours after the first tablet is swallowed if side effects of the migraine headache are not reduced. Do not take Maxalt in any way that your doctor has not prescribed to you. No more than 30mg should be taken in one day.

If you are using the dissolving tablet, do not remove the tablet until you are ready to take it. Handle the product with dry hands and place the tablet on your tongue, wait for it to dissolve, then swallow the medicine.

Other Names for Maxalt

Brand name:

Maxalt

Generic name:

Rizatriptan benzoate