Rizatriptan: Price, Dosage & Where to Buy

Rizatriptan is a triptan medicine used to treat migraine attacks, with or without aura, once a clear migraine diagnosis has been established. It acts on serotonin receptors involved in migraine and is used for an attack rather than to prevent future attacks. Rizatriptan requires a prescription in the United Kingdom and is available in several oral forms.

Rizatriptan treats migraine attacks with or without aura in adults and children aged 6 to 17 years. Its use is limited to people with an established migraine diagnosis. It is not intended to prevent migraine attacks, and it is not indicated for hemiplegic or basilar migraine.

Safety and effectiveness for cluster headache have not been established. If the first migraine attack treated does not respond, the label states that the diagnosis should be reconsidered before treatment of later attacks.

Rizatriptan belongs to the triptan group of medicines. It activates particular serotonin receptors, which are sites on cells that respond to this chemical messenger. This action helps narrow widened blood vessels around the brain and reduces the release of substances involved in pain signalling.

These effects can help relieve an ongoing migraine attack. This is different from preventing attacks: rizatriptan is used for acute migraine treatment, not regular migraine prevention.

The label lists 5 mg and 10 mg oral films, tablets, film-coated tablets and orally disintegrating tablets. The usual starting dose is 5 mg or 10 mg for an adult migraine attack. The label lists repeat adult doses at least 2 hours apart if the headache returns, with a maximum of 30 mg in a 24-hour period.

The label lists a single 5 mg dose for children aged 6 to 17 years weighing less than 40 kg, and a single 10 mg dose for those weighing 40 kg or more. The label lists 5 mg for adults using propranolol, with a maximum of 15 mg in a 24-hour period. Repeat treatment in children has not been established as safe and effective, and propranolol requires additional restrictions.

Orally disintegrating tablets dissolve on the tongue without liquid. Their blister remains in the carton until just before use and is opened with dry hands.

Rizatriptan is used for migraine attacks rather than as a regular preventive medicine, so there is usually no scheduled dose to miss. A missed dose should not be made up by doubling a later dose. If there is uncertainty about treatment timing or repeat treatment, ask a pharmacist or prescriber.

Human pregnancy data are insufficient to draw conclusions about the risk of major birth defects or miscarriage. Animal studies found harmful effects on development, and the label warns that rizatriptan may cause fetal harm. There are no data on its presence in human milk, effects on breastfed infants or effects on milk production.

It was found in rat milk. Breastfeeding benefits should be weighed against the mother's clinical need and potential effects on the infant.

The label specifies storage at 20° to 25°C in a tight, light-resistant container with a child-resistant closure. Orally disintegrating tablets should remain in their blister within the carton until just before use.