Rizatriptan belongs to a class of medications known as 5-hydroxytryptamine agonists (also called triptans). It is used to treat migraine headaches with or without aura.

It is important to use this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience these side effects.
dizziness
drowsiness
dry mouth
headache
hot flashes
nausea or vomiting
unusual tiredness or muscle weakness
sudden or severe abdominal pain
pounding heartbeat
increased or decreased heart rate
irregular heartbeat
sensation of burning, warmth, heat, numbness, tightness, or tingling

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

heart attack (symptoms include pain, pressure, tightness or heaviness in the chest, jaw, neck or shoulder, sweating, or shortness of breath)
severe allergic reaction (symptoms include swelling of the face, or throat; hives; or difficulty breathing)
stroke (symptoms include sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body; sudden confusion or problems with speech; sudden vision problems in one or both eyes; sudden dizziness or loss of coordination; sudden severe headache, especially if it seems different from your usual headaches)

The following medications may affect the way Rizatriptan works or increase the risk of side effects:

ergotamine-containing or ergot-type medication (e.g., dihydroergotamine or methysergide) if taken at the same time or within the previous 24 hours
monoamine oxidase inhibitors if taken at the same time or within 14 days of taking rizatriptan (e.g., phenelzine, tranylcypromine, selegiline, moclobemide)
other 5-hydroxytryptamine agonists (e.g., sumatriptan, naratriptan, zolmitriptan) if taken at the same time or within the previous 24 hours
propranolol
certain types of antidepressant medications known as SSRIs (e.g., fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline)
sibutramine

if you suspect an overdose, consult your doctor immediately, or call Emergency Services or the Poison Control Centre.

Rizatriptan is a powerful prescription medicine that offers proven relief from migraine pain. Rizatriptan also helps relieve migraine-associated symptoms of nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. Rizatriptan does not contain aspirin or caffeine and is not a narcotic.

Rizatriptan is used to treat migraine headaches with or without aura (warning signs that occur prior to the onset of a migraine headache). The pain of migraine headaches is thought to be caused by dilated blood vessels inside the head. Rizatriptan relieves migraine headaches by constricting these blood vessels.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than the ones listed in these drug information articles.

Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Rizatriptan should not be taken by anyone who:

is allergic to rizatriptan or any ingredients of the medication
has angina (chest pain), including Prinzmetal's angina (coronary vasospasm)
has heart disease (e.g., heart valve disease, abnormal heart rhythms, congenital heart disease)
has had a heart attack
has blood vessel disease (e.g., ischemic bowel disease, Raynaud's syndrome, transient ischemic attacks (TIAs))
has high blood pressure that is severe or not under control
has taken another 5-hydroxytryptamine agonist (i.e., naratriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan) in the previous 24 hours
has taken ergotamine-containing or ergot-type medication (such as dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, or methysergide) in the previous 24 hours
has certain types of migraine headaches (including hemiplegic, ophthalmoplegic, or basilar migraine)
has taken any of the class of medications known as MAO inhibitors in the previous 2 weeks
has severely reduced liver function
does not have a clear diagnosis of migraine