Side effects can include, feeling drowsy or dizzy, nausea and vomiting, dry mouth, heart racing, headaches, sleep disturbance and muscle or joint stiffness. Less commonly pain or tightness in the chest. If chest pain is severe and does not pass quickly, seek urgent medical help. Rare but serious side effects can include, irregular heart rhythms, seizures, tremors, visual disturbances and severe allergic reactions. For full information on side effects and correct use, see the <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/9893/pil#gref" target="_blank">patient information leaflet</a>. If you feel very unwell, or experience significant side effects, go to your local A&E department or call 999.

Important information about Rizatriptan

Do not mix Rizatriptan with another triptan when treating the same migraine attack. Rizatriptan should not be used on a daily basis, as this may lead to a medication overuse headache. If your headache gets significantly worse, or you develop any unusual symptoms, you should see a doctor urgently.

Safety: taking other medicines

As is true of all medication, Rizatriptan can interact with other medicines, which can sometimes be dangerous. This is why it's important that you let us know which prescription, over-the-counter medicines and recreational drugs you are taking so that we can prescribe Rizatriptan safely. Do not combine Rizatriptan with another prescription medicine before consulting your GP. Alternatively, you can send us a message via your account.

Alternative treatments

We can also prescribe <a href="/products/sumatriptan-migraine">Sumatriptan</a> or Vydura to treat migraines, which may be more suitable for you. <a href="/products/vydura-rimegepant-migraine">Vydura can also be prescribed as a preventative</a> measure for people who have lots of migraines. Other prescription pain relief and anti-sickness medicines will have to be prescribed by your GP. These include Metoclopramide 10mg, Migramax (aspirin 900mg plus metoclopramide 10mg), and Paramax (paracetamol 500mg plus metoclopramide 5mg). </ul>

Rizatriptan

Confidential assessment
Reviewed by clinicians
Click & Collect or delivery to your door

Product features

Available as a tablet or melt
Combine with paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin as advised
Fast and effective treatment for migraine

How it works

Although no clear cause has been established, one thought is that migraines are caused by the dilation (widening) of blood vessels, creating swelling and pressure, causing pain and neurological symptoms. Another possible cause maybe that certain chemicals in the brain increase in activity and parts of the brain may then send out confusing signals which cause the symptoms.

Rizatriptan constricts these blood vessels as well reducing the release of certain brain chemicals that occurs during a migraine attack which can relieve the symptoms.

Effectiveness

Your migraine symptoms should improve within two hours of taking Rizatriptan.

The following treatments can be taken with Rizatriptan for maximum relief. Please speak to the pharmacist to check they are suitable for you.

Pain relief – Paracetamol 500mg two tablets up to four times daily; Aspirin 300-900mg up to 4 times daily, or Ibuprofen 400mg up to four times daily
Anti-sickness – Buccastem M 3mg up to two times daily. These tablets are designed to work when placed under your lip. As you don't have to swallow them, they are particularly good if vomiting is one of your migraine symptoms.

Taking Rizatriptan

Take one tablet with water when your migraine headache begins. Taking this treatment with fizzy water can help it to work faster. If you experience an aura (visual disturbance), wait until this is over before taking Rizatriptan.

Rizatriptan lyophilisate (Maxalt Melt) melts in the mouth so does not need to be taken with water.

If after two hours your migraine comes back, you can take another tablet. Do not take more than 20mg Rizatriptan in 24 hours.

Strength and dosage

Rizatriptan is available in 5mg and 10mg tablets. It is usually recommended to use the 10mg tablets. It may be advised to reduce the dose to 5mg if you are also taking propranolol. Do not take more than 20mg of Rizatriptan in 24 hours.

How our migraine treatment service works

Complete our simple, confidential online consultation

5 mins

One of our clinicians confirms your suitability and notifies you by email

About 30 mins (Mon-Sun 9am-5pm)

Choose delivery or collection

Next day delivery
Same-day pharmacy collection
Collect in your local ParcelShop

Rizatriptan FAQs

Side effects

Side effects can include, feeling drowsy or dizzy, nausea and vomiting, dry mouth, heart racing, headaches, sleep disturbance and muscle or joint stiffness. Less commonly pain or tightness in the chest. If chest pain is severe and does not pass quickly, seek urgent medical help. Rare but serious side effects can include, irregular heart rhythms, seizures, tremors, visual disturbances and severe allergic reactions.

For full information on side effects and correct use, see the patient information leaflet. If you feel very unwell, or experience significant side effects, go to your local A&E department or call 999.
Important information about Rizatriptan

Do not mix Rizatriptan with another triptan when treating the same migraine attack. Rizatriptan should not be used on a daily basis, as this may lead to a medication overuse headache. If your headache gets significantly worse, or you develop any unusual symptoms, you should see a doctor urgently.
Safety: taking other medicines

As is true of all medication, Rizatriptan can interact with other medicines, which can sometimes be dangerous. This is why it's important that you let us know which prescription, over-the-counter medicines and recreational drugs you are taking so that we can prescribe Rizatriptan safely.

Do not combine Rizatriptan with another prescription medicine before consulting your GP. Alternatively, you can send us a message via your account.
Alternative treatments

We can also prescribe Sumatriptan or Vydura to treat migraines, which may be more suitable for you. Vydura can also be prescribed as a preventative measure for people who have lots of migraines.

Other prescription pain relief and anti-sickness medicines will have to be prescribed by your GP. These include Metoclopramide 10mg, Migramax (aspirin 900mg plus metoclopramide 10mg), and Paramax (paracetamol 500mg plus metoclopramide 5mg).

Delivery and collection information

Same-day collection (Free)
- Order before 5pm Monday-Friday to collect the same day in pharmacies nationwide.
- Subject to the availability of your treatment in your selected pharmacy.
Standard delivery (Free)
- Delivered within 5-7 working days.
Next-day delivery (£4.95)
- Orders approved before 5pm Monday-Friday will arrive within 1-2 working days.
- Orders approved between 5pm Friday and 12pm Sunday will usually arrive on Monday or Tuesday.
Standard ParcelShop collection (Free)
- Collect from 7000+ convenient ParcelShops in 2-3 working days.
Next day ParcelShop collection (£2.95)
- Collect next day from 7000+ convenient ParcelShop locations, if approved before 5pm Monday-Friday.
- Saturday and Sunday orders, collect Monday if approved before 12pm Sunday, or Tuesday if ordered after 12pm.