Rizatriptan (Generic Maxalt) Tablets

Buy rizatriptan online

Rizatriptan is a treatment for migraines, belonging to a class of medicines called selective serotonin 5-HT receptor agonists. Rizatriptan stops pain signals from being sent to the brain by narrowing blood vessels in the brain and blocking the release of some natural substances that cause migraine symptoms like severe headache and nausea.

How rizatriptan treats migraine symptoms

Rizatriptan is a type of medicine called a selective serotonin 5-HT receptor agonist. It works by releasing serotonin, a chemical in the brain, which causes the blood vessels around your brain to narrow, relieving symptoms of headaches that are thought to be caused by the widening of these blood vessels. Rizatriptan can also reduce some substances in the body that are thought to trigger headaches, sensitivity to light, or nausea. Rizatriptan will only treat a migraine that has already started showing symptoms - it can not be used as a preventative.

Directions

The recommended dosage of rizatriptan will depend on what your doctor or Chemist4U pharmacist tells you - always follow their specific advice. 

The usual dose is 10mg, with a maximum of 2 doses in a 24 hour period. If you are currently taking propranolol, or you have kidney or liver problems, you will usually be advised to take a 5mg dose instead. You should leave at least 2 hours between taking propranolol and rizatriptan up to a maximum of 2 doses in 24 hours. 

If your migraine returns within a 24 hour period, you can take an additional dose of rizatriptan as long as you’ve waited at least 2 hours since your last dose. If 2 hours after your first dose you still have a migraine, you should not take a second dose to treat the same attack.

Side effects

As with all medicines, there is the possibility of side effects when you take rizatriptan. These won’t affect everyone. Common side effects which may affect up to 1 in 10 people can include: 

• Tingling (paraesthesia)
• Headache
• Decreased sensitivity of the skin
• Decreased mental sharpness
• Tremor
• Heart palpitations or very fast heartbeat (tachycardia)
• Flushing (redness of the face lasting a short time), hot flushes or sweating
• Throat discomfort
• Dry mouth
• Difficulty breathing
• Feeling or being sick
• Diarrhoea
• Feeling of heaviness in parts of the body
• Pain in the abdomen or chest

For more information on possible uncommon or rare side effects, refer to the patient information leaflet. If you experience any side effects, including any not included in the patient information leaflet, you can report them using the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme.

Serious side effects

If you experience any of the following rare but severe side effects, stop taking rizatriptan and seek medical attention immediately:

• Serious allergic reaction (may cause swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing).
• Heart attack or stroke.
• Serotonin syndrome (may cause confusion, agitation, muscle twitching, sweating, shivering, or diarrhoea).

Warnings

You should only take rizatriptan if your doctor or Chemist4U pharmacist has told you it’s safe and appropriate for you to do so. You must not take rizatriptan if:

• You are allergic to rizatriptan or any of the other ingredients in this medicine
• You have moderately severe or severe high blood pressure, or mild high blood pressure that is not controlled by medication.
• have or have ever had heart problems including heart attack or pain in the chest (angina) or if you have ever experienced heart disease related symptoms.
• You have severe liver or severe kidney problems.
• You have had a stroke or mini-stroke.
• You have reduced blood flow to your legs and arms due to blocked arteries (peripheral vascular disease)
• You are taking monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors such as moclobemide, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, or pargyline (medicines against depression), or linezolid (an antibiotic), or if it has been less than two weeks since you stopped taking MAO inhibitors.
• You are taking ergotamine-type medicines such as ergotamine or dihydro-ergotamine to treat your migraine or methysergide to prevent a migraine attack.
• You are taking any other medicines in the same class as rizatriptan, such as sumatriptan, naratriptan, or zolmitriptan to treat your migraine.

You should talk to your doctor or Chemist4U pharmacist before taking rizatriptan if: 

• You are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, are trying to become pregnant or if you are breastfeeding.
• You have any of the following risk factors for heart disease: high blood pressure, diabetes, you smoke or you are using nicotine substitution, your family has a history of heart disease, you are a man over 40 years of age, or you are a post-menopausal woman.
• You have kidney or liver problems.
• You have a particular problem with the way your heart beats (bundle branch block).
• You have or have had any allergies.
• Your headache is associated with dizziness, difficulty in walking, lack of coordination or weakness in the leg or arm.
• You use herbal preparation containing St. John's Wort.
• You have had allergic reactions with swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and/or throat which may cause difficulty breathing and/or swallowing (angioedema).
• You are taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as sertraline, escitalopram oxalate, and fluoxetine or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as venlafaxine, and duloxetine for depression.
• You have had short-lived symptoms including chest pain and tightness.

If you are taking any other medicines or herbal remedies, including those obtained without a prescription, speak to your doctor or Chemist4U pharmacist if you’re unsure about taking rizatriptan.

Age restrictions

Rizatriptan should only be used by adults over the age of 18. There is not yet any evidence to support whether this medicine is safe or effective for children and adolescents under the age of 18.

Food

It’s best to take rizatriptan on an empty stomach because it can take longer to start working if you’ve just eaten. That being said, it isn’t unsafe to take rizatriptan with food.

Important information

This product is a medicine; make sure to speak to your doctor or Chemist4U pharmacist before taking this product if you have an underlying medical problem or are taking any other medicine or complementary therapy. If your symptoms get worse or continue after taking this product, contact us or your doctor. For medical services in your area, please refer to https://www.nhs.uk

If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, speak to your doctor or our pharmacist before taking this product. If you suffer from any allergies, ask your doctor or our pharmacist if this medicine is right for you.

Store all medicines out of sight and reach of children.

Please read the included leaflet carefully before using this product.

Please contact your GP if appropriate regarding this product.

Storage

Keep in the original packaging out of sight and reach of children. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date printed on the packaging, referring to the last day of the stated month.