Maxalt Melt

What are Maxalt Melt wafers (Rizatriptan)?

Maxalt is the brand name for a medicine called rizatriptan.

Maxalt belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin 5-HT1B/1D receptor agonists, also known as 'triptans'. Triptans are used to relieve the symptoms of migraine attacks.

You must have a prescription to buy Maxalt Melts. 

What is Maxalt Melt used to treat?

Maxalt Melt wafers are used to treat migraines. Specifically, they relieve the pain associated with the headache part of a migraine attack.

Migraines are a common occurrence in many people in the UK. However, they can be very debilitating and painful, resulting in severe headaches, nausea and increased sensitivity to light and sound.

This medication is ideal for adults who are unable to swallow whole tablets. All you need to do is place a wafer on the tongue and let it dissolve. You will then swallow the medicine with your saliva.

Why is Maxalt Melt recommended for migraines?

Maxalt Melt wafers contain rizatriptan, which has been clinically tested and shown to be a highly effective medicine for the treatment of migraine symptoms. 

Furthermore, rizatriptan has been found to be well-tolerated, which means that the risk of side effects is minimal. 

How do Maxalt Melts work?

A migraine is believed to be caused when the blood vessels around your brain widen.

As a migraine treatment, Maxalt Melt (rizatriptan) wafers work in two ways. Firstly, they narrow the blood vessels around the brain. Secondly, they reduce the number of substances in the body that trigger symptoms of a migraine attack, such as head pain, sensitivity to light and nausea.

By narrowing the blood vessels in the brain, it relieves the throbbing pain that comes with a migraine, allowing you to go about your day.

This medication can only treat migraine symptoms when they have already started. It does not prevent future migraines or reduce your chances of getting them.

Who can take Maxalt (rizatriptan)?

This medicine should only be taken by adults who are at least 18 years of age. It is not suitable for children or adolescents.

You should not take Maxalt Melt wafers if any of the below apply to you:

• You have an allergy to rizatriptan benzoate, or any other ingredient contained in this medicine
• You have high blood pressure, including mild high blood pressure that is not currently controlled by medication
• You are currently taking any selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like sertraline or escitalopram oxalate
• You have peripheral vascular disease or any blocked arteries
• You have or have ever had any heart problems, including heart attacks, angina or chest pain
• You have ever experienced any symptoms of heart disease
• You are currently taking any serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) for depression
• You have severe liver or kidney problems
• You have ever had a stroke or a mini-stroke

This list is not exhaustive. Always check the patient information leaflet for a full list of warnings before you start to take a new medicine.

Can you buy Maxalt Melt over the counter?

Maxalt Melt wafers must be prescribed by a doctor. They are not available over the counter.

Can you buy Maxalt Melt online in the UK?

You can buy Maxalt Melt online from Medicine Direct after filling out an online questionnaire; this is to make sure that this medication is safe for you to take. Your answers will be reviewed by a registered prescriber, after which your order will be confirmed.

As long as you have ordered by 2pm, next day delivery is available.

Medicine Direct is fully regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council, meaning all of our medicine is approved for sale in the UK. Never buy any type of medicine online from anywhere other than a regulated pharmacy.

Maxalt Melt alternatives

If Maxalt Melt wafers are not suitable for you, there are plenty of alternative migraine treatments available.

Generic Rizatriptan tablets can also be bought from our online pharmacy. This medicine will get to work in the same way as Maxalt Melt wafers, but you will swallow the tablet whole rather than dissolve it on the tongue. We also sell several other triptan medicines, including Sumatriptan and Almotriptan.

If a child requires a migraine relief treatment, we stock over the counter medicines too. Anadin Extra contains a triple-action formula of paracetamol, aspirin and caffeine, which will get to work rapidly for comprehensive relief of symptoms. This medicine can be taken by people as young as 16.

Alternatively, Migraleve Pink can also be bought over the counter and can be taken by children over the age of 12. This medicine contains a triple-action formula of paracetamol, codeine and buclizine.

Maxalt Melt Dosage

Our pharmacists and prescriber follow NICE guidelines when prescribing Rizatriptan.

Those who begin to suffer from migraines will be given a prescription to take initial doses of 10mg. Patients cannot take more than 30mg within the same 24 hours.

If you have taken your first dose of Maxalt and it has not yet started to work, you can take an aspirin-based painkiller such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to help diminish the pain.

Always wait at least 2 hours before taking a second dose. If your migraine persists, you should go to your doctor.

How to take Maxalt Melts

For the most effective relief from your symptoms, you should take Maxalt wafers at the onset of a migraine attack. However, it will also be effective if you take it later on during an episode.

Place one wafer on your tongue and allow it to completely dissolve. You do not need to take this medicine with water; your saliva will melt the wafer.

If the first dose is ineffective, or if your symptoms come back, you can take a second dose after at least two hours.

Do not take more than three wafers in 24 hours.

Read the patient information leaflet for full instructions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Maxalt Melt Side Effects

Common side effects of Maxalt include:

• Dizziness, sleepiness or tiredness
• Tingling, headaches, decreased sensitivity of the skin
• Decreased mental sharpness
• Difficulty sleeping
• Feeling sick or being sick
• Dry mouth
• Indigestion
• Diarrhoea
• Flushing of the face
• Throat pain
• Heaviness or stiffness in parts of your body
• Pain in the abdomen or chest

Although rare, some side effects are quite serious. You should speak to your doctor immediately if you suffer from any of these reactions:

• Confusion or nervousness
• Facial or muscle pain
• Unsteadiness on your feet, vertigo, blurred vision, tremors or fainting
• High blood pressure, thirst, sweating or hot flushes
• Tightness in parts of your body or muscle weakness
• Changes in heart rhythms
• Slow heartbeat
• Stroke

Always read the patient information leaflet for a comprehensive list of possible side effects.

Maxalt Melt Warnings and Drug Interactions

Maxalt may interact with other medications, which may be dangerous or make it ineffective.

When taking a new medicine, you should always inform your doctor or pharmacist if any other medicine you are already taking. That includes prescription and non-prescription medicine, herbal remedies, supplements and vitamins.

You should take particular care with Maxalt if you are currently taking any of the following:

• Any other 5-HT1B/1D agonist or 'triptan' medications, such as sumatriptan
• Any monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, such as linezolid, or pargyline, or it has been less than two weeks since you stopped taking them
• If you are currently using methysergide to prevent migraine attacks
• If you are currently treating migraines by using any ergotamine-type medications such as ergotamine or dihydroergotamine
• Propranolol
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like sertraline or escitalopram oxalate
• Serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) for depression
• Any herbal medicines that contain St. John's Wort

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

It is not known if Maxalt is harmful to take while pregnant. If you are currently pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, you should speak to your doctor before you take this medicine.

If you are breastfeeding and take this medication, you should wait at least 24 hours after taking it before you breastfeed again.

Maxalt Melt Ingredients

The main active ingredient within this medicine is: Rizatriptan benzoate.

For a full list of the inactive ingredients, please read the Summary of Product Characteristics.

Can you crush Maxalt Melts?

No, Maxalt Melt wafers should be placed on the tongue and allowed to dissolve. Do not crush or chew the wafer.

Does Maxalt Melt make you feel high?

Although taking this medicine will make you feel better due to your migraine symptoms being alleviated, Maxalt Melt will not get you high or cause feelings of euphoria. However, you may feel a decreased mental sharpness, hallucination, or confusion after taking Maxalt Melt. Tell your doctor if you experience any of these side effects.

Can you swallow dissolvable Maxalt Melts?

You should place the wafer on your tongue and allow your saliva to dissolve it. This will then be swallowed naturally when you swallow your saliva. You should not swallow a Maxalt Melt wafer as soon as you put it in your mouth.

What happens if you take too much rizatriptan?

Taking too much rizatriptan can increase your risk of side effects like dizziness, changes in heartbeat, drowsiness, and vomiting. If you have taken too many Maxalt Melt wafers, you should call 111, contact your doctor, or go to A&E straight away. Take the medicine and patient information leaflet with you.

Does Maxalt Melt make you sleepy?

Sleepiness and tiredness are two of the most reported side effects of taking Maxalt Melt wafers. Do not drive or operate machinery if this occurs. Speak to your doctor if you continue to feel sleepy.

How long does Maxalt Melt take to work?

You should start to feel better within 30 minutes of taking Maxalt Melt.

Can you get addicted to rizatriptan?

Rizatriptan is not considered to be an addictive medication. Nonetheless, you must not take more than the maximum recommended daily dose of Maxalt Melt.

How many days in a row can you take Maxalt Melt?

 Do not take more than two doses in 24 hours. You should not take more than one Maxalt Melt for the same migraine attack. Unless advised otherwise by your doctor, do not use this medicine for more than 10 days in one month.

Can Maxalt Melt cause rebound headaches?

Headaches are a common side effect of Maxalt Melt. However, you may experience medication-induced headaches if you take Maxalt Melts too frequently.

Can you drink alcohol with Maxalt Melts?

You are advised to avoid drinking alcohol while suffering from migraines, as this could make them worse. Taking Maxalt Melt can cause side effects like sleepiness or tiredness. Drinking alcohol could make these side effects worse.