Rizatriptan benzoate (
Maxalt®) is a prescription medication that is used to treat
migraine headaches. Rizatriptan will not help to prevent migraines, but it can help to treat a
migraine that has already started.
A form a rizatriptan that will dissolve in the mouth (rizatriptan orally disintegrating tablets) is available and is especially helpful for people who have difficulty swallowing tablets during a migraine due to nausea or vomiting.
Rizatriptan is made by Merck & Co.
How Does Rizatriptan Work?
Rizatriptan is part of a class of
migraine medications called 5-HT agonists (or more commonly known as "
triptans"). During a migraine headache, some of the blood vessels in the head become dilated (wider than they usually are). Rizatriptan works by narrowing these blood vessels, helping them return to their normal state. This action helps to relieve
migraine symptoms.
In previous studies, 60 percent to 77 percent of people with migraines had no (or mild) pain within two hours of taking rizatriptan tablets, compared to only 23 percent to 40 percent of people who did not take rizatriptan. Similar results were seen in studies of rizatriptan orally disintegrating tablets.