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Sunday, November 22, 2009
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Winter Holiday GuideEnjoying the Holidays Despite Migraines and Headaches --> Info for you...

Maxalt Oral

Precautions and Side Effects


Generic Name: RIZATRIPTAN TABLET - ORAL
Pronounced: (rizz-uh-TRIP-tan)

Maxalt Oral Side Effects

Table of Contents

Drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, numbness/tingling/prickling sensations, redness (flushing), tiredness/weakness may occur. If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Chest/jaw/neck tightness can commonly occur shortly after using rizatriptan. Only rarely are these signs of a serious condition. However, you may not be able to tell this apart from a serious reaction related to a lack of blood flow to the heart, brain or other parts of the body. Seek immediate medical attention if any of these unlikely but very serious (rarely fatal) side effects occur:

  • chest pain
  • jaw/left arm pain
  • fainting
  • fast/irregular/pounding heartbeat
  • vision changes
  • weakness on one side of the body
  • confusion
  • slurred speech
  • sudden or severe stomach/abdominal pain
  • bloody diarrhea


Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur:

  • blue fingers/toes/nails
  • cold sensation of hands/feet
  • hearing changes
  • mental/mood changes


This medication may rarely cause a very serious condition called serotonin syndrome. The risk increases when this medication is taken with certain other drugs such as other "triptans" used to treat migraine headaches (e.g., sumatriptan, zolmitriptan), certain antidepressants including SSRIs (e.g., citalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine) and NSRIs (e.g., duloxetine, venlafaxine), or a certain drug to treat obesity (sibutramine). Before taking this drug, tell your doctor if you take any of these medications. Serotonin syndrome may be more likely when you start or increase the dose of any of these medications. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop some of the following symptoms:

  • hallucinations
  • unusual restlessness
  • loss of coordination
  • fast heartbeat
  • severe dizziness
  • high fever
  • severe nausea/vomiting/diarrhea
  • twitchy muscles
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