Brand Name

Maxalt-MLT {Merck}

Generic Name

rizatriptan, pronounced RYE za TRIP tan

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Drug Guide

The information contained in the following drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What is Maxalt-MLT?

Maxalt-MLT is a medication used to treat migraine headaches that have already started. Maxalt-MLT works by narrowing the blood vessels around the brain. Maxalt-MLT also acts by reducing substances in your body that can trigger migraine headache pain, sensitivity to light and sound, nausea and other migraine symptoms. Maxalt-MLT will only help migraine headaches. It will not work for headaches caused by tension or that my be the result of injury. Do not use Maxalt-MLT unless you have diagnosed migraine headaches and do not use for headaches that seem different from your usual migraine profile. Maxalt-MLT will not prevent headaches or reduce the number of migraine headaches you have. Maxalt-MLT may also be used for purposes that are not listed in this medication guide

Key Facts About Maxalt-MLT

Maxalt-MLT is not a treatment for a common tension headache, or for a headache that causes loss of movement on one side of your body, or a headache that seems to be different from your usual migraine headaches. You should only use Maxalt-MLT if your doctor has confirmed that you suffer from migraine headaches and should take this medication.

Maxalt-MLT will only treat a migraine headache that has already begun. It will not prevent migraine headaches or reduce the number of migraine headaches that you have.

You should not take Maxalt-MLT if you have used another migraine headache medication within 24 hours including: zolmitriptan nasal spray, almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), sumatriptan (Imitrex, Treximet), ergot medications like ergotamine (Ergomar, Cafergot, Migergot), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal), zolmitriptan (Zomig) or methylergonovine (Methergine).

Do not take Ergot medications such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Cafergot, Migergot), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal), or methylergonovine (Methergine) within 24 hours of taking Maxalt-MLT.

Do not use Maxalt-MLT within 14 days of a MAO inhibitor: If you have used an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days you should not take Maxalt-MLT.

PREGNANCY/BREASTFEEDING. Taking Maxalt-MLT during your pregnancy is not known to affect your unborn baby. The risks of the medication on your unborn child will need to be assessed versus the risks caused by the migraine headaches. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or become pregnant while you are being treated with Maxalt-MLT. We do not know if Maxalt-MLT can pass into breast milk and harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Maxalt-MLT disintegrating tablets may contain phenylalanine. Tell your doctor before using this form of Maxalt-MLT if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

Before You Take Maxalt-MLT

If you are allergic torizatriptan you should not take Maxalt-MLT.

You should not take Maxalt-MLT if you have coronary heart disease, angina, blood circulation problems, a lack of blood supply to your heart, severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure, a heart rhythm disorder, a history of heart disease, heart attack, or stroke (including “mini-strokes”).

Do not take Maxalt-MLT if you have ischemic bowel disease.

You may not be a candidate to take Maxalt-MLT if you have a headache that seems different from your usual migraine headaches.

If you have used an MAO inhibitor like furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days you should not take Maxalt-MLT.

You should tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease before taking Maxalt-MLT.

Tell your doctor if you have risk factors for coronary artery disease like diabetes, menopause, smoking, being overweight, having high cholesterol, having a family history of coronary artery disease, being older than 40 and a male, or being a female who has had a hysterectomy before taking Maxalt-MLT.

Maxalt-MLT Drug Interactions

Tell your doctor about all medications you use, especially:

• antidepressants like citalopram (Celexa), desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), duloxetine (Cymbalta), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft) and venlafaxine (Effexor)
• tramadol
• other migraine medications: sumatriptan, naratriptan, almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, ergotamine

Other drugs you may take and are not listed may interact with Maxalt-MLT. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Maxalt-MLT

Take Maxalt-MLT exactly as your doctor has prescribed. Do not take Maxalt-MLT in larger or smaller amounts or for longer or shorter than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label exactly.

You should take Maxalt-MLT as soon as you have the first symptoms of a migraine headache.

If your headache does not completely go away, or goes away and comes back, after taking one tablet you may take a second tablet two (2) hours after the first tablet that you took. You should not take more than 30 mg of Maxalt-MLT in a 24 hour period. If your symptoms have not improved after two doses of Maxalt-MLT you should call your doctor.

Maxalt-MLT is used as needed, and there is not a daily dosing schedule for you to follow. If you have more than four (4) headaches in one month (30 days) you should tell your doctor.

Maxalt-MLT may be taken with or without food, but should be taken with a full glass of water if administered in tablet form.

To take the orally disintegrating tablets Maxalt-MLT-MLT you should keep the tablet in its blister pack until you are ready to use it. When you are ready to take a tablet you should open the package carefully and peel back the foil from the tablet blister. You should not push a tablet through the foil or you may damage it. Be sure to use dry hands to remove the tablet and place it in your mouth. The tablet will start to dissolve right away. Allow the tablet to dissolve without chewing it. Swallow several times after the tablet has dissolved, or drink some water to be sure the contents of the tablet have been fully dissolved.

If you take Maxalt-MLT long-term your doctor may want to check your heart function using an electrocardiograph or EKG to be sure that this medication is not harming your heart function. Be sure to keep regular appointments with your doctor while you are taking Maxalt-MLT.

Maxalt-MLT needs to be stored at room temperature, and away from light, moisture and heat.

Maxalt-MLT Side Effects

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following adverse effects and you should stop taking Maxalt-MLT.

• allergic reaction such as difficulty breathing, hives or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
• antidepressant interactions (if you are taking an antidepressant) -agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination and fainting
• jaw, neck or throat pain and tightness
• numbness or weakness that Is sudden, especially on one side of your body
• numbness or tingling with a pale or blue-colored appearance in your fingers or toes
• severe headache along with confusion and problems with your vision, speech, or balance
• stomach pain that is severe with bloody diarrhea

Less serious side effects of Maxalt-MLT may include:

• dizziness
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• headache (mild-not a migraine)
• heavy feeling or pressure in any part of your body
• nausea (mild)
• tingly feeling under your skin with warmth or redness

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Maxalt-MLT. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Maxalt-MLT Description and Dosing

Maxalt-MLT is available in orally disintegrating tablets that are 5 mg and 10 mg dosages. The 5 mg orally disintegrating tablets are white to off-white, round lyophilized tablets, debossed with a modified triangle on one side. The 10 mg orally disintegrating tablets are white to off-white, round lyophilized tablets, debossed with a modified square on one side.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Maxalt-MLT you should seek emergency help immediately.

Ingredients in Maxalt-MLT

Maxalt-MLT Tablets contain the active ingredient rizatriptan benzoate. Inactive ingredients are gelatin, mannitol, glycine, aspartame, and peppermint flavor.

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.