Maxalt (Rizatriptan Benzoate) - Summary

MAXALT SUMMARY

What is MAXALT and what is it used for?

MAXALT contains rizatriptan benzoate, a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine_1B/1D(5-HT_1B/1D) receptor agonist.

MAXALT is indicated for the acute treatment of migraine attacks with or without aura in adults.

MAXALT is not intended for the prophylactic therapy of migraine or for use in the management of hemiplegic or basilar migraine (see CONTRAINDICATIONS). Safety and effectiveness of MAXALT have not been established for cluster headache, which is present in an older, predominantly male population.

See all indications & dosage >>

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Media Articles Related to Maxalt (Rizatriptan)

Migraine Raises Risk Of Most Common Form Of Stroke
Source: Headache / Migraine News From Medical News Today [2009.11.17]
Pooling results from 21 studies, involving 622,381 men and women, researchers at Johns Hopkins have affirmed that migraine headaches are associated with more than twofold higher chances of the most common kind of stroke: those occurring when blood supply to the brain is suddenly cut off by the buildup of plaque or a blood clot. The risk for those with migraines is 2.3 times those without, according to calculations from the Johns Hopkins team, to be presented Nov.

Migraine Increases Likelihood of Stroke
Source: MedicineNet Birth Control Specialty [2009.11.17]
Title: Migraine Increases Likelihood of Stroke
Category: Health News
Created: 11/16/2009 12:10:00 PM
Last Editorial Review: 11/17/2009

Molecular Imaging Pinpoints Inflammation In The Brains Of Schizophrenics And Migraine Sufferers
Source: Headache / Migraine News From Medical News Today [2009.11.02]
Inflammatory response of brain cells - as indicated by a molecular imaging technique - could tell researchers more about why certain neurologic disorders, such as migraine headaches and psychosis in schizophrenic patients, occur and provide insight into how to best treat them, according to two studies published in the November issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

Migraine With Aura Is Associated With Increased Risk Of Stroke
Source: Headache / Migraine News From Medical News Today [2009.10.29]
A migraine with aura occurs when temporary visual or sensory disturbances are experienced before or during a migraine headache. A study just published on bmj.com reports that migraine with aura is associated with a twofold increased risk of stroke. Further risk factors for stroke among patients with migraine are being a woman, being young, being a smoker, and using contraceptives containing estrogen.

Migraine With Aura Doubles The Risk Of Stroke
Source: Headache / Migraine News From Medical News Today [2009.10.28]
Migraine with aura (temporary visual or sensory disturbances before or during a migraine headache) is associated with a twofold increased risk of stroke, finds a study published on bmj.com today. Further risk factors for stroke among patients with migraine are being a woman, being young, being a smoker, and using oestrogen containing contraceptives.

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Published Studies Related to Maxalt (Rizatriptan)

A pilot study of rizatriptan and visually-induced motion sickness in migraineurs. [2009.08.06]
CONCLUSIONS: These pilot data suggest that rizatriptan does not consistently reduce visually-induced motion sickness in migraineurs. Rizatriptan may diminish motion sickness potentiation by cranial pain.

Rizatriptan 10-mg ODT for early treatment of migraine and impact of migraine education on treatment response. [2009.05]
OBJECTIVE: To examine the efficacy of rizatriptan 10-mg orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) for treating migraines of mild intensity soon after onset, with or without patient-specific migraine education. BACKGROUND: Studies have shown rizatriptan tablet efficacy in early migraine treatment... CONCLUSION: Rizatriptan 10-mg ODT, when taken early, while headache pain is mild, was superior to placebo at providing pain freedom at 2 hours and 24-hour sustained pain freedom.

Migraine treatment with rizatriptan and almotriptan: a crossover study. [2009.05]
BACKGROUND: Rizatriptan and almotriptan are effective and well-tolerated triptans that have not been compared directly. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of rizatriptan 10 mg and almotriptan for the acute treatment of migraine, in a real-world setting... CONCLUSIONS: Times to achieve PR and PF were significantly shorter for patients using rizatriptan, as compared with those using almotriptan.

Impact of recent prior opioid use on rizatriptan efficacy. A post hoc pooled analysis. [2009.03]
BACKGROUND: Limited evidence suggests that, in individuals with migraine, prior use of opioids reduces responsiveness to treatment with subsequent acute migraine therapies. The evidence is more robust with regard to opioids as a risk factor for chronic migraine. OBJECTIVES: To explore whether recent prior opioid use influenced treatment response, in a post hoc pooled analysis of rizatriptan clinical trials... CONCLUSION: Recent prior opioid use was associated with lower triptan response. Because of the post hoc nature of the analysis and limitations in capturing amount of opioid used, as well as to adjust for disability levels, these findings require replication in prospective studies.

Memantine in the preventive treatment of refractory migraine. [2008.10]
OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy and tolerability of memantine(MEM)in the preventive treatment of refractory migraine. BACKGROUND: Glutamate is of importance in migraine pathophysiology and may be related to progression from episodic to chronic migraine. Furthermore, individuals with chronic pain often report cognitive problems. MEM has the potential to address both issues, justifying this pilot study... CONCLUSION: This study offers preliminary evidence for the use of MEM in the prevention of refractory migraine.Double-blind studies are now required.

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Clinical Trials Related to Maxalt (Rizatriptan)

Maxalt 10mg Plus Caffeine 75mg in the Acute Treatment of Migraine Headache [Active, not recruiting]
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of rizatriptan, alone or combined with caffeine for treating acute attacks of migraine.

Each subject will have 3 months to treat 3 acute migraine headache attacks. Each subject will be dispensed one box containing 3 packets of study medication labeled for Headache #1, Headache #2, or Headache #3. Each packet wil contain either Maxalt 10mg MLT or a Maxalt placebo (sugar pill), and a capsule containing either caffeine 75mg or a capsule containing placebo (sugar).

One headache will be treated with a combination of Maxalt 10mg MLT and caffeine.

Another headache will be treated with a combination of Maxalt 10mg MLT and a capsule containing placebo.

A third headache will be treated with just placebo.

Neither the subject, the study coordinator, or your study doctor will know in which order you will receive the three different treatments. This information is available in case of emergency.

Two Rizatriptan Prescribing Portions for Treatment of Migraine [Completed]

Study to Test a Marketed Drug (MK0462) in the Early Treatment of Acute Migraine [Active, not recruiting]

Drug Study in Pediatric Subjects With Migraines [Active, not recruiting]
A study to assess the safety, tolerability, and single dose pharmacokinetics of a marketed drug in pediatric subjects with migraines

A Study of Rizatriptan for the Treatment of Acute Migraine in Patients on Topiramate for Migraine Prophylaxis [Not yet recruiting]
This study will provide additional efficacy data for rizatriptan when used for an acute migraine attack in patients already taking topiramate for migraine prophylaxis.

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PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTS

Maxalt review by 47 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Highly Effective
Side effects:		Mild Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		Migraines
Dosage & duration:		10 mg taken as needed for the period of Ongoing
Other conditions:		None
Other drugs taken:		Birth control
		Reported Results
Benefits:		Normally takes away a headache with an hour when absolutely nothing else will work.
Side effects:		Sometimes will give a feeling of tightness in the chest and some drowsiness. If taken too often can cause rebound headaches.
Comments:		You take one Maxalt at the onset of a migraine. It can be repeated after two hours.

Maxalt review by 42 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Highly Effective
Side effects:		Mild Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		headaches
Dosage & duration:		10 mg taken as needed for the period of 6/06 to present
Other conditions:		depression, hypothyroid, high cholesterol
Other drugs taken:		effexor, lipitor
		Reported Results
Benefits:		reduction in severity and duration of migraines
Side effects:		drowsiness
Comments:		one pill at onset of migraine. can take every twelve hours

Maxalt review by 38 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Considerably Effective
Side effects:		Mild Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		Migraine
Dosage & duration:		10mg taken 2-6x/year for the period of 1 year
Other conditions:		none
Other drugs taken:		none
		Reported Results
Benefits:		Decreased headache pain from 10/10 to 0/10 within a few hours. Took at least 30 minutes to feel pain start to decrease, then causes fatigue. I like the fact that it disintegrates sublingually, because vomiting is often associated with my headaches and I am never sure how much medication is retained afterward if I have taken a tablet.
Side effects:		It always puts me to sleep for an hour or two. After waking, I sometimes feel a little shakey, but the pain is gone. I wouldn't take this med if I were out of the house due to the grogginess.
Comments:		Treatment for migraine when otc's, or prescription level ibuprophen (800 mg) are not effective. Used for moderate migraine if it lasts a few days, or when pain reaches 8 to 10/10.