Maxalt
Rizatriptan
Drug Class and Mechanism of Action of Maxalt
Maxalt is a selective serotonin receptor agonist (SSRA) group of medicine. It acts by narrowing the dilated blood vessels in the brain and thereby relieving headache in migraine.
Therapeutic Uses of Maxalt
Maxalt is used in the treatment of acute migraine headache (migraine may be with or without aura like flashing lights, wavy lines, dark spots etc.). it should not be used for prevention of migraine headache or cluster headache. It can also be used in other medical conditions as your doctor decides.
Direction of use of Maxalt
Take Maxalt as per direction of your doctor. If you have any question about Maxalt and its direction of use, you should ask your doctor or take it as given below:
- Take Maxalt orally with a glass of water, three times a day.
- Take a dose of Maxalt as soon as first symptoms of migraine headache appear. Next dose of Maxalt should be taken if there is only partial improvement of symptoms or if symptoms reappear. But do not take the second dose earlier than 2 hours after first dose. Do not take more than 30 mg per day.
If You Miss a Dose of Maxalt
If you miss a dose of Maxalt, take it as soon as you remember it. If it is almost time for your next dose than skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Never take 2 doses of Maxalt at a time.
How to Store Maxalt
Maxalt can be stored at room temperature (68 to 77 degrees F or 20 to 25 degrees Centigrade). Store it in a cool, dry and dark place and keep it out of reach of children. Do not store Maxalt in your bathroom.
More Information About Maxalt
Consult your doctor if there is no improvement of your symptoms or worsening of your symptoms. Maxalt should be taken by the person for whom it is prescribed and never shared with anyone. If you have any question about Maxalt, consult your doctor.
Precautions to be Taken While Taking Maxalt
Do not use Maxalt if you have any of the following medical conditions and consult your doctor as soon as possible:
- If you have allergy to any of the ingredients of Maxalt.
- If you are taking another medicine like sumatriptan (another serotonin receptor agonist) in the last one day.
- If you are taking anti migraine medication of other groups ergot alkaloids like ergotamine. If you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) like phenelzine within the past 2 weeks.
- If you have history of blood flow or heart problems, ischemic heart disease, irregular heartbeat, stroke, or uncontrolled high blood pressure or chest pain.
Some important notes about Maxalt:
- Maxalt may cause dizziness or drowsiness and these effects become worse if alcohol or other medicines are taken with it. Maxalt should be used with caution. Do not drive or perform other risky works that need constant attention and monitoring, until you know that you do not have dizziness or drowsiness with Maxalt.
- Pregnancy and breast feeding: Maxalt should not be used during pregnancy and if you become pregnant during treatment with Maxalt, you should discuss with your doctor about the risks and benefits of using it during pregnancy. It is not clear if Maxalt is found in breast milk. If you have to breast feed your baby while taking Maxalt, you should consult your doctor and discuss about the risks to your baby.
- It is not useful in preventing attacks of migraine, but it is meant for treatment of migraine headache.
- If your headache is not migraine like you should consult your doctor before taking Maxalt, because it may not be useful.
- Maxalt should not be used in children (or teenagers) below 18 years of age. The safety and effectiveness is not established in these patients.
- Maxalt may affect blood sugar level in diabetic patients. If you are diabetes patient you should monitor blood sugar levels closely during treatment with Maxalt. Ask your doctor if you need to change the dosing of anti diabetes medication or change the drug.
Possible Adverse Effects of Maxalt
- The most common side effects of Maxalt are nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, generalized weakness, vomiting etc. If these side effects become bothersome or persists for longer duration you should consult your doctor.
- You should get immediate medical attention if you get any serious side effects of Maxalt. Serious side effects of Maxalt are severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain, blood in stool, changes in vision, fast and/or irregular heartbeat, pain in jaw or neck; cold, tingling, or numb hands and feet; stomach pain, generalized weakness etc.