Rizatriptan (Maxalt) is a 5-HT1 agonist triptan drug developed by Merck & Co. for the treatment of migraine headaches. It is available in strengths of 5 and 10 mg as tablets and orally disintegrating tablets (Maxalt-MLT). Maxalt obtained approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on June 29, 1998. It is a second-generation triptan. Rizatriptan is available only by prescription in the United States , Canada and New Zealand. Similarly, it is classed as a POM (Prescription Only Medicine) in the United Kingdom, Italy (as Rizaliv) and Israel (as Rizalt). This medication is used to treat acute migraine attacks. It does not prevent future migraine attacks.

Indicated for:

— migraine headache with or without aura

Contraindications:

— coronary artery disease
— monoamine oxidase inhibitors

Side effects:

Severe:
— coronary artery vasospasm
— transient myocardial ischemia
— myocardial infarction
— ventricular tachycardia
— ventricular fibrillation
— hypertensive crisis

Atypical sensations:
— paresthesia

Cardiovascular:
— palpitations
— syncope
— hypertension
— hypotension

Ear, nose, and throat:
— tinnitus
— sensitivity to noise
— sinusitis
— allergic rhinitis
— upper respiratory inflammation

Gastrointestinal:
— diarrhea

Muscular:
— myalgia

Neurological:
— phonophobia
— photophobia

Respiratory:
— dyspnea

Skin:
— sweating

Miscellaneous:
— hypersensitivity