Generic Maxalt

Common use

Maxalt is used to treat migraine. Its active substance rizatriptan benzoate is a selective agonist of 5-hydroxytryptamine 1D receptors. The medication starts to act within 30 min after intake. The medication is used to treat headache which has already started. It is not used to prevent attacks of headaches.



Dosage and direction

Take Maxalt single doses of 5 or 10 mg separated at least by two hours. Maximal daily dose of the drug is 30 mg. Do not open the blister beforehand. Do not swallow the tablet whole, do not chew it, use it as soon as you open the blister. Let the tablet dissolve slowly in your mouth. Never push the tablet through the foil.



Precautions

Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Inform your doctor if you have high cholesterol level, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking history, family history of stroke, heart disease, obesity. Do not take more of the medication than recommended to you as you may make your headache even worse. Maxalt tablets may contain phenylalanine and should be used with cautiousness by the patients with phenylketonuria.



Contraindications

Maxalt cannot be administered to the patients with hypersensitivity to the drug and its components, in individuals treated with MAO inhibitors, those who have hypertension, coronary insufficiency, myocardial infarction, asymptomatic ischemia, Prinzmetal's angina, in cases of basilar and hemiplegic migraine. Adolescents under 18 years of age should not be treated by Maxalt.



Possible side effect

The most common side effects caused by Maxalt are headache, dizziness, drowsiness, weakness, fatigue, abdominal pain, chest pain, palpitations, tachycardia, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, diarrhea, dyspepsia, thirst, pain in the neck, stiffness, myasthenia, paresthesia (numbness or tingling on the skin), decrease in mental activity, insomnia, hyperesthesia, tremor, ataxia, anxiety, disorientation, discomfort in the throat, shortness of breath, skin flushing and itching, increased sweating, blurred vision, flushing, fainting, hypertension.



Drug interaction

MAO inhibitors and propanolol increase blood concentrations of Maxalt. Intake of Maxalt and MAO inhibitors should be separated by at least two weeks. MAO inhibitors include rasagiline (Azilect), isocarboxazid (Marplan), selegiline (Emsam, Eldepryl), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil). Do not take Maxalt if you used other headache medications within last 24 horus. These medications are: eletriptan (Relpax), almotriptan (Axert), naratriptan (Amerge), frovatriptan (Frova), zolmitriptan (Zomig), sumatriptan (Imitrex, Treximet), or ergot medicine which include ergotamine (Ergostat, Cafergot, Ergomar, Ercaf, Wigraine), dihydroergotamine (Migranal), methylergonovine (Methergine), ergonovine (Ergotrate), or methysergide (Sansert).



Missed dose

This medication is taken when needed and does not have a dosing schedule.



Overdose

Symptoms of overdose may be: severe headache, dizziness, sleepiness, fainting, bradycardia, vomiting, urinary incontinence (an involuntary leakage of urine), shortness of breath, buzzing in your ears, uneven heartbeats.



Storage

Store between 15-30 C (59-86 F). Protect from moisture and dispensed in tight, light-resistant container.



Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information at the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.

Clinical Verification

Last Clinically Updated: August 15, 2026

Written By

Dr. Elena Vance, PharmD

Clinical Specialist in Neuropharmacology

Fact Checked By

Marcus Thorne, MS

Biomedical Data & FDA Label Verification

Medically Reviewed By

Dr. Arthur Campbell, MD

Board-Certified Psychiatrist (ABPN)