Maxalt
Drug name
Maxalt (Rizatriptan)
Drug Uses
Maxalt helps in curing severe migraine headache with/without aura (dark spots, wavy lines, flashing lights) in adults. Avoid using this medicated drug for treating cluster headaches or migraines.
How Taken
Use this medicated drug as recommended by the doctor
- Take each dosage together with one glass of water
- Take this medicine three times in a day ( at an interval of 8 hours)
- No sooner than the symptoms of migraine appear, make sure you take one dose of Maxalt. Go for the next dosage only if you feel that the migraine related symptoms have relapsed. However, prefer taking the second dosage at an interval of two hours after taking the first dose. Avoid taking more than 30 mg in one day.
For further queries do consult your doctor.
Drug Class and Mechanism
Maxalt being a selective serotonin receptor agonist works by thinning dilated blood vessels in your brain and relieves migraine headaches in the process.
Missed Dose
In case you forget to take a dose of this medicated drug, ensure taking it as early as you realize your folly. If you find that it’s almost the time when your next dose is scheduled, prefer skipping the missed dosage and return to your routine dosing schedule. Never take two dosages at a single go.
Storage
Prefer storing the medicine at room temperature, say between 20-25 degrees C or 68-77 degrees F. You should keep it at a safe distance from light, moisture and heat. Don’t keep it near pets or children.
Warnings Precautions
Avoid using Maxalt if:
- You’re allergic to any of the ingredients found in Maxalt
- You’ve taken some other serotonin receptor, say sumatriptan within the past twenty four hours
- You’re taking ergot alkaloids such as ergotamine or have taken MAOI (monoamine oxidase inhibitor) such as phenelzine within the last fourteen days
- You’ve a history of blood flow, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, ischemic heart disease, stroke, or extremely high blood pressure.
If you suffer from any of these problems make sure to contact your doctor at the earliest.
Important:
- Maxalt may lead to drowsiness or dizziness. These conditions may worsen if you take it along certain medicines or alcohol. Use this medicated drug with care.
- Avoid driving or performing other unsafe tasks till you are aware of how you need to react to it
- Maxalt is not effective in preventing or lowering the frequency of migraine attacks
- Make sure you consult your doctor before taking this medicine if you are having a headache which is different when compared to your normal migraine attacks
- Maxalt can affect the blood glucose levels of diabetes patients. Hence, those suffering from diabetes need to check their blood glucose levels closely. Consult your doctor prior to altering the dosage of your diabetes drugs.
- Children below 18 years of age should avoid taking this medicine.
- Pregnant women should consult their doctor before taking Maxalt. Make sure you discuss clearly the risks as well as benefits of taking this medicine while pregnant. Whether Maxalt is present in breast milk is still a mystery. Hence, if you are breast feeding while using Maxalt, makes sure you consult with your doctor. Prefer discussing any probable risks to your toddler.
Possible Side Effects
Contact your doctor if you come across any of these problems after taking Maxalt
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Weakness.
In addition to those mentioned above, make sure you consult your doctor at the earliest if you experience any of the below mentioned problems:
- Acute allergic reactions (hives; rash; breathing problems
- tightness in your chest
- swelling in the mouth, lips, face, or tongue)
- bloody diarrhea
- vision changes
- chest pain
- Tingling, cold, or numb feet or hands
- Unsteadiness or fainting
- Irregular or fast heartbeat
- Tightness or pain in neck or jaw
- stomach pain
- Unusual weakness.
More Information
Take Maxalt if and only if your doctor has asked you to do so. Avoid sharing it with others. In case your symptoms don’t improve or worsen, contact your doctor as soon as possible.