if you havemigraine, your doctor may suggest Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT as a treatment option for migraines.
Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT are prescription drugs used to treat migraine headaches with or withoutaurawhen they occur in adults and some children. These medications are not prescribed forprevent migraines.
Maxalt is a swallowed tablet and Maxalt-MLT is a mouth-dissolvable tablet.
The active ingredient in Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT is rizatriptan benzoate. That means it's the ingredient that makes these drugs work. Rizatriptan benzoate is also the name of the generic version of Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT.
This article describes the dosages of Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT, as well as their strength and how to take them. For more information on Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT, check out thisin depth article.
Observation:This article discusses the typical dosages of Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT provided by the drug's manufacturer. But when taking Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT, always follow the dosing instructions given to you by your doctor.
The following section describes the usual dosages for Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT. But your doctor will prescribe the correct dose for you.
What are the forms of Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT?
Maxalt comes as a pill that is swallowed.
Maxalt-MLT comes as an orally disintegrating tablet. This means that it dissolves in the mouth.
How strong are Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT?
Both Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT come in one strength: 10 milligrams (mg).
Generic rizatriptan benzoate comes as 5 mg or 10 mg tablets and 5 mg or 10 mg orally disintegrating tablets.
What are the typical doses of Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT?
Your doctor will usually start you on a low dose. The lower dose sometimes leads to fewer side effects. Your doctor will prescribe the lowest dose that will provide the desired effect.
The following information describes commonly prescribed or recommended doses.But be sure to take the dose that your doctor prescribes.Your doctor will determine the best dosage to meet your needs.
migraine dose
Will you take a dose of Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT when you first notice amigrainestarting headache. Typically, you will take a 5mg* or 10mg dose by mouth, depending on the dose prescribed by your doctor.
If the migraine comes back, you can take a second dose. But you must wait at least 2 hours after the first dose before taking the second dose.
The maximum amount of Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT that you can take per day is 30 mg. It is recommended that you do not take more than this in a 24 hour period.
*Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT only come in a 10mg strength. If you were prescribed a 5 mg dose, you may be wondering if you can take half of a 10 mg Maxalt tablet or Maxalt-MLT orally disintegrating tablet. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about whether it is safe to do this.
What are the dosages of Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT for children?
Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT may be prescribed to treat migraines with or withoutaurain children 6 years and older. Your dose will depend on your weight in kilograms (kg).
If your child weighs less than 40 kg (about 88 pounds), they will take a 5 mg dose. If your child weighs 40 kg or more, he can take a dose of 10 mg.
It is not known if children can take an additional dose of Maxalt if the migraine headache comes back or does not go away. If one dose of Maxalt doesn't work for your child's migraines, talk to your child's doctor about ways to reduce migraine symptoms.
Are Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT taken long term?
Yes, Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT are commonly prescribed as long-term treatments. Even if you don't take these medicines every day, migraines can be a long-term condition. If you and your doctor determine that Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT is safe and effective for you, it is likely that you will take it long-term.
dose adjustments
The drugpropranololprescribed to help preventmigraineheadaches, as well as to treat other conditions. If you take propranolol, your doctor may lower your dose of Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT.
Below you will find answers to some frequently asked questions about Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT.
Is there a generic version of Maxalt that I can take? If so, what would be the dosage of the generic?
The generic version of Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT is rizatriptan benzoate. Unlike Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT, which only come in one dose, the generic is available as:
- one 5-milligram (mg) tablet and one 10-mg tablet
- one 5 mg and 10 mg orally disintegrating tablet
With the generic, you will follow the same dosage of Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT. For more information, see "What are typical doses for Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT?" above.
A generic drug has the same active ingredient as a brand name drug, but it is made by a different manufacturer. You can get more information about generic and brand name drugs atThis article.
If you have questions about the generic version of Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
What is the maximum dose of Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT that I can take for a migraine?
For Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT, you can take a maximum of 30mg in 24 hours.
If your migraine symptoms do not reduce with the maximum dose of Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT, talk to your doctor. Other treatments may be recommended in addition to these medications.
The dose of Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT that you are prescribed may depend on several factors. These include:
- your age
- other medicines you take
- other conditions you may have
You will take Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT by mouth and you can take your dose with or without food. But your mouth must be empty before taking Maxalt-MLT.
The manufacturer of Maxalt has not specified whether it can split Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT pills. If your doctor recommends a 5mg dose, he or she will likely prescribe the generic version of either drug. This is because Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT only come in a 10mg strength.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any further questions about taking Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT.
For information on expiration, storage, and disposal of Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT, seeThis article.
Taking Maxalt
Will you swallow a Maxalt tablet when you first notice the symptoms of amigraineheadache. If the migraine headache returns, you can take a second dose 2 hours after the first dose.
Taking Maxalt-MLT
Maxalt-MLT comes in a blister pack, which is a foil packet that contains each pill separately. Take a pill out of the blister pack before taking it. Your hands must be dry so that the tablet does not start to dissolve until it is in your mouth.
To take the medication, allow the tablet to dissolve on the tongue.
Accessible medicine packaging and labels
If you find it difficult to read the prescription label of your medicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies may provide drug labels that:
- have large print or use braille
- they come with a code that you can scan with a smartphone to change text to audio
Your doctor or pharmacist can recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy does not offer them.
Do not take more Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT than your doctor has prescribed. Taking more than that can cause serious side effects.
overdose symptoms
Symptoms caused by an overdose may include:
- dizziness
- fatigue(low energy)
- Fainting
- slow heartbeat
- to vomit
- loss of bladder control
- stomachache
- Breathing problems
What to do if you take too much Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT
Call your doctor immediately if you think you have taken too much Maxalt. You can also call 800-222-1222 to contact the American Association of Poison Control Centers or use theironline resource.But if you have severe symptoms, call 911 (or your local emergency number) right away or go to the nearest emergency room.
The sections above describe typical doses provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT, he or she will prescribe the appropriate dose for you.
Remember, you should not change your dose of Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT without your doctor's recommendation.Only take Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT exactly as prescribed. Talk to your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dose.
Here are some examples of questions you can ask your doctor:
- If I want to lower my dose of Maxalt, do I need a new prescription?
- I will start taking propranolol soon for mymigraineHeadaches. Should my Maxalt dose be lowered?
- Can I split a 10 milligram (mg) Maxalt tablet if I want to try taking 5 mg?
For tips on managing migraine episodes and first-hand stories from others living with the condition, sign up for Healthlineonline newsletter.
(Video) RIZATRIPTAN (MAXALT) - PHARMACIST REVIEW - #97
WHEN:
If my 5 milligram (mg) dose of Generic Maxalt takes too long to work, can I increase it to 10 mg?
Anonymous
A:
Possibly. The dose of Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT that your doctor prescribes to treat migraines depends on several factors. Examples include other conditions you may have and medications you may be taking. You should always take the dosage prescribed by your doctor. Never increase your dose unless your doctor recommends it.
The 5mg dose of generic Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT is not expected to work any faster than a 10mg dose. But 10 mg may be a more effective dose to relieve migraine headaches.
If your current dose of Maxalt or Maxalt MLT does not relieve your migraines, talk to your doctor. They can discuss treatment options with you, including whether you can increase your dose of Maxalt or Maxalt MLT.
Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBAAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.
Disclaimer:Healthline has made every effort to ensure that all information is factually correct, complete and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and experience of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information in this document is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a particular drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or for all specific uses.