Key takeaways:
Maxalt (rizatriptan) treats migraine symptoms in adults and children ages 6 years and over. It comes as an oral tablet and as an orally disintegrating tablet (Maxalt-MLT).
The recommended Maxalt dosage for adults is 5 mg or 10 mg by mouth once migraine symptoms appear. Adults can take a second dose in 2 hours if needed. But more than 30 mg in a 24-hour period isn’t recommended.
The Maxalt dosage for children is based on their body weight. Children shouldn’t take more than one dose of Maxalt in a 24-hour period.
Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT are both available as lower-cost generics. GoodRx can help you save over 90% off the average price at certain pharmacies.
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If you’re dealing with migraines, you know how unpredictable they can be. One moment you’re fine. The next you have a pounding headache and can’t tolerate light or sound. There are different types of migraines, but the way they interfere with your daily life remains the same.
Thankfully, there are medications available to stop migraines and allow you to get back to your normal routine. One of these medications is Maxalt (rizatriptan). It belongs to a group of medications called triptans. Triptans are first-choice medications for treating migraines once your symptoms have started.
This guide reviews the recommended Maxalt dosages for migraine symptoms in adults and children. Keep in mind that your healthcare provider may prescribe a different dose for you than described below. In this case, it’s best to follow their recommendation.
What dosage forms does Maxalt come in?
Maxalt comes as an oral tablet and an orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) that dissolves on the tongue. The ODT form of Maxalt is called Maxalt-MLT (rizatriptan ODT). They’re both available in 5 mg and 10 mg doses.
The active ingredient in Maxalt, rizatriptan, also comes in a 10 mg oral film that dissolves on the tongue. It’s sold under the brand name RizaFilm and treats migraines in adults and children ages 12 years and older. It was approved by the FDA in April 2023, but isn’t available at pharmacies just yet.
Maxalt-MLT or RizaFilm may be better options for children or adults who have trouble swallowing tablets. They’re also useful if nausea and vomiting are common migraine symptoms for you, since they dissolve in your mouth.
Good to know: Brand-name Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT are only available in the 10 mg dose. But both the 5 mg and 10 mg doses are available as lower-cost generics.
What’s the typical Maxalt dosage for adults?
The recommended adult Maxalt dosage is 5 mg or 10 mg, taken as soon as migraine symptoms appear. Maxalt isn’t approved to prevent migraines, so you should only take it once symptoms begin.
You can take a second dose of Maxalt 2 hours after your first dose if you’re still experiencing migraine symptoms. But you shouldn’t take more than 30 mg of Maxalt over a 24-hour period.
The 10 mg Maxalt dose may work better than the 5 mg dose. But it’s more likely to cause side effects, so it’s best to take the lowest effective dose for your migraine symptoms. This is especially true for adults over the age of 65.
It’s also best to limit taking Maxalt for no more than four migraines per month (30 days). Taking it more often than that may not be safe. If you have more than four migraines a month, talk with your healthcare provider. They may suggest taking a routine medication to help prevent them.
What’s the typical Maxalt dosage for children?
Maxalt is approved to treat migraines in children ages 6 years and older. The recommended Maxalt dosage for children is based on the child’s body weight:
For children weighing less than 40 kg (88 lbs), the recommended Maxalt dosage is 5 mg, taken when migraine symptoms appear.
For children weighing 40 kg or more, the recommended Maxalt dosage is 10 mg, taken when migraine symptoms appear.
For children prescribed Maxalt, taking more than one dose over 24 hours isn’t recommended. Talk with your child’s healthcare provider if they still have migraine symptoms after taking a dose of Maxalt.
Are there any dosage adjustments for medical conditions?
Maxalt doesn’t have recommended dosage adjustments for medical conditions, including kidney or liver conditions. But if you have a history of heart disease or you’ve had a heart attack in the past, Maxalt may not be a safe option for you. Your healthcare provider will review your medical history before prescribing Maxalt to screen for these issues.
If you’re taking propranolol (Inderal LA), you may need a lower Maxalt dosage. Propranolol can help prevent migraines, so this is a good interaction to be aware of if you’re taking it. Studies show that taking propranolol can significantly increase Maxalt levels in your body. This can lead to unwanted side effects.
It’s recommended that adults and children weighing 40 kg or more who are taking propranolol limit their Maxalt dosage to 5 mg. Adults can repeat this dose up to 3 times in a 24-hour period. Kids should stick to one dose — repeat doses aren’t recommended for them.
Children weighing less than 40 kg who are taking propranolol shouldn’t take Maxalt. Instead, your child’s healthcare provider can suggest other migraine treatments they can safely take with propranolol.
What should you do if you take too much Maxalt?
If you accidentally take an extra dose of Maxalt, it’s not likely to cause a serious issue. You may feel dizzy or drowsy. Vomiting is also possible.
But large amounts of Maxalt could be dangerous. It could stop your heart from working properly, or raise your blood pressure to dangerous levels.
If you or someone you know has taken too much Maxalt, contact your healthcare provider or call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. But if you have chest pain or difficulty breathing, seek emergency care right away.
How to save on Maxalt
GoodRx can help you save over 90% off the average retail price of the generic versions of Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT. Generic Maxalt’s price at certain pharmacies is as low as $13.91 with a free GoodRx discount. And generic Maxalt-MLT's price is as low as $18.02.
The bottom line
The recommended Maxalt dosage for adults is 5 mg or 10 mg when migraine symptoms start. You can repeat the dose in 2 hours if needed, but you shouldn’t take more than 30 mg in a 24-hour period. The recommended Maxalt dosage for children is based on their body weight. Children shouldn’t take more than one dose of Maxalt per day.
It’s best to avoid taking Maxalt more than 4 times per month. If you need it more often than that, talk to your healthcare provider about treatments to prevent migraines from happening.
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References
Ailani, J., et al. (2021). The American Headache Society consensus statement: Update on integrating new migraine treatments into clinical practice. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain.
Goldberg, M. R., et al. (2001). Influence of β-adrenoceptor antagonists on the pharmacokinetics of rizatriptan, a 5-HT1B/1D agonist: Differential effects of propranolol, nadolol and metoprolol. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.
IntelGenx Corp. (2023). RizaFilm oral film [package insert].
Macleods Pharmaceuticals Limited. (2023). Rizatriptan benzoate - rizatriptan benzoate tablet, orally disintegrating [package insert].
Organon LLC. (2021). Maxalt - rizatriptan benzoate tablet. Maxalt-mlt - rizatriptan benzoate tablet, orally disintegrating [package insert].
RPK Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (2023). Rizatriptan benzoate - rizatriptan benzoate tablet [package insert].
