Rizatriptan
(Rizatriptan)Rizatriptan Overview
Rizatriptan is used to treat migraines. It helps to relieve headache, pain, and other migraine symptoms (including nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light/sound). Prompt treatment helps you return to your normal routine and may decrease your need for other pain medications. Rizatriptan belongs to a class of drugs known as triptans. It affects a certain natural substance (serotonin) that causes narrowing of blood vessels in the brain. It may also relieve pain by affecting certain nerves in the brain. Rizatriptan does not prevent future migraines or lessen how often you get migraine attacks.
How to Use Rizatriptan
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking rizatriptan and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Take Rizatriptan by mouth as directed by your doctor, at the first sign of a migraine. It may be taken with or without food, but may work faster when it is taken on an empty stomach. The Dosage of Rizatriptan is based on your medical condition, age, response to treatment, and other drugs you may be taking. For children, the Dosage of Rizatriptan is also based on weight. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). If there is no improvement in your symptoms, do not take more doses of Rizatriptan before talking to your doctor. If your symptoms are only partly relieved, or if your headache comes back, adults may take another dose at least 2 hours after the first dose. Children should not take more than one dose, or 5 milligrams in a 24-hour period. For adults, the US manufacturer recommends a maximum dose of 30 milligrams in a 24-hour period. The Canadian manufacturer recommends a maximum dose of 20 milligrams (for adults) in a 24-hour period. If you have a higher risk for heart problems (see Precautions), your doctor may perform a heart exam before you start taking rizatriptan. He/she may also direct you to take your first dose of Rizatriptan in the office/clinic to monitor for serious side effects (such as chest pain). Talk to your doctor for details. If you are using drugs for migraine attacks on 10 or more days each month, the drugs may actually make your headaches worse (medication overuse headache). Do not use medications more often or for longer than directed. Tell your doctor if you need to use Rizatriptan more often, or if the medication is not working as well, or if your headaches get worse.
Rizatriptan Precautions
Before using rizatriptan, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. Rizatriptan may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using Rizatriptan, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history,blood circulation problems (for example, in your legs, arms/hands, or stomach), certain types of headaches (hemiplegic or basilar migraine), heart problems (such as chest pain, irregular heartbeat, previous heart attack), liver disease, seizure, stroke or "mini-stroke" (transient ischemic attack). Certain conditions can increase your risk for heart problems. Tell your doctor if you have any of these conditions,high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, family history of heart disease, overweight, smoker, postmenopausal (women), age more than 40 years (men). Rizatriptan may make you dizzy or drowsy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis). Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). The risk of heart disease, liver disease, and high blood pressure increases with age. Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of Rizatriptan, especially increased blood pressure and heart problems. During pregnancy, Rizatriptan should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is unknown if Rizatriptan passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Rizatriptan Misdose
Not applicable. (See How to Use section.)
Rizatriptan Interactions
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval. Taking MAO inhibitors with Rizatriptan may cause a serious (possibly fatal) drug interaction. Do not take any MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, metaxalone, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline, tranylcypromine) during treatment with Rizatriptan. Most MAO inhibitors should also not be taken for two weeks before treatment with Rizatriptan. Ask your doctor when to start or stop taking Rizatriptan. The risk of serotonin syndrome/toxicity increases if you are also taking other drugs that increase serotonin. Examples include street drugs such as MDMA/"ecstasy," St. John's wort, certain antidepressants (including SSRIs such as fluoxetine/paroxetine, SNRIs such as duloxetine/venlafaxine), among others. The risk of serotonin syndrome/toxicity may be more likely when you start or increase the dose of these drugs. If you also take any ergotamine medication (such as dihydroergotamine) or other "triptan" drugs (such as sumatriptan, zolmitriptan), you will need to separate your rizatriptan dose at least 24 hours apart from your dose of these other medications to lessen the chance of serious side effects.
Rizatriptan Side Effects
Flushing, feelings of tingling/numbness/prickling/heat, tiredness, weakness, drowsiness, or dizziness may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that Rizatriptan has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using Rizatriptan do not have serious side effects. Rizatriptan may raise your blood pressure. Check your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if the results are high. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects,blue fingers/toes/nails, cold hands/feet, hearing changes, mental/mood changes. Rizatriptan can commonly cause chest/jaw/neck tightness, pain, or pressure that is usually not serious. However, these side effects are like symptoms of a heart attack, which may include chest/jaw/left arm pain, shortness of breath, or unusual sweating. Get medical help right away if these or other serious side effects occur,fast/irregular heartbeat, fainting, severe stomach/abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, signs of a stroke (such as weakness on one side of the body, trouble speaking, sudden vision changes, confusion). Rizatriptan may increase serotonin and rarely cause a very serious condition called serotonin syndrome/toxicity. The risk increases if you are also taking other drugs that increase serotonin, so tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the drugs you take (see Drug Interactions section).fast heartbeat, hallucinations, loss of coordination, severe dizziness, severe nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, twitching muscles, unexplained fever, unusual agitation/restlessness. A very serious allergic reaction to Rizatriptan is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction,rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Rizatriptan Storage
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard Rizatriptan when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
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