Maxalt Melt 10mg Wafers

What is it used for?

Maxalt Melt is a branded version of Rizatriptan, it is a medication used for the treatment of headaches associated with migraines with or without aura. Aura is the term used to describe the neurological side effects usually linked to migraines such as light sensitivity, visual field disturbances and nausea to name a few. Maxalt Melt belongs to a group of medicines called the ‘Triptans’, it’s also more technically known as a 5HT1B/1D receptor agonist.

How does it work?

As mentioned above Maxalt Melt acts on the 5HT1B/1D receptors in the brain. During a migraine headache blood vessels in and around the brain become dilated. This dilation attributes to inflammation on sensitive tissues around that area, and on the trigeminal sensory nerves leading to pain. Maxalt Melt contracts these vessels back to their normal state so that pressure is reduced leading to relieved symptoms. (NHS)

How is Maxalt Melt taken?

Maxalt Melt should be taken as soon as possible after the onset of a migraine, whether you are experiencing aura or not. One wafer is usually sufficient to treat a migraine. If the headache comes back after the first has been treated a further wafer can be taken providing this is at least 2 hours after the first dose. So a further wafer can be taken for a NEW attack as long as it’s taken 2 hours after the first. No more than 2 should be taken in any 24 hour period.

If however you do not experience symptomatic relief from the first dose it is not recommended to take a second dose for the same episode of migraine. At this stage you can use painkillers to help control the symptoms – please see below.

This medicine will be different to most in that it is not made to be swallowed, instead it is to be placed on the tongue where it will be dissolved and then be swallowed with the saliva. Therefore this medication does not need to be taken with water, it helps in situations where nausea and vomiting can occur due to taking medicines with water. You should ideally take this medication on an empty stomach, as taking it with food or in a fed state can delay action by an hour.

How long does it take to work?

Maxalt Melt can work as quick as 30 minutes after taking, as mentioned above this is in the absence of food, so best taken on an empty stomach. Please remember that if you don’t have any improvement after 2 hours then proceed with using painkillers.

Maxalt Melt and Painkillers

Yes, if your first dose of Maxalt Melt has not sufficiently controlled your migraine you can take aspirin, paracetamol or any other NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen. You can take painkillers along with Maxalt Melt in the first instance if you need to. If you are on any other painkillers and are unsure please contact us first HERE.

B.V. 2019

Take MAXALT MELT as soon as possible after your migraine headache has started. Do not use it to prevent an attack.

The usual dose is 10 mg. If you are currently taking propranolol or have kidney or liver problems you should use the 5-mg dose of MAXALT. You should leave at least 2 hours between taking propranolol and MAXALT MELT up to a maximum of 2 doses in a 24-hour period.

If migraine returns within 24 hours

In some patients, migraine symptoms can return within a 24-hour period. If your migraine does return you can take an additional dose of MAXALT MELT. You should always wait at least 2 hours between doses.

If after 2 hours you still have a migraine If you do not respond to the first dose of MAXALT MELT during an attack

You should not take a second dose of MAXALT MELT for treatment of the same attack. It is still likely, however, that you will respond to MAXALT MELT during the next attack.

Do not take more than 2 doses of MAXALT MELT in a 24-hour period, (for example, do not take more than two 10 mg oral lyophilisates or more than two 10 mg or 5 mg tablets in a 24-hour period). You should always wait at least 2 hours between doses.

If your condition worsens, seek medical attention.

How to administer MAXALT oral lyophilisates, MAXALT (rizatriptan benzoate) is available as a 5 or 10 mg oral lyophilisate that dissolves in the mouth.

Open the MAXALT MELT oral lyophilisate blister pack with dry hands. The oral lyophilisate should be placed on your tongue, where it dissolves and can be swallowed with the saliva. The oral lyophilisate can be used in situations in which liquids are not available, or to avoid the nausea and vomiting that may accompany the ingestion of tablets with liquids.

If you take more MAXALT MELT than you should, talk to your doctor or pharmacist straight away.

Take the medicine pack with you. Signs of overdosage can include dizziness, drowsiness, vomiting, fainting and slow heart rate.

If you have any further questions on the use of this product ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The following side effects may happen with this medicine.

In adult studies, the most common side effects reported were dizziness, sleepiness and tiredness.

Common (affects 1 to 10 users in 100)

• tingling (paraesthesia), headache, decreased sensitivity of skin (hypoaesthesia), decreased mental sharpness, insomnia
• fast or irregular heart beat (palpitation),
• flushing (redness of the face lasting a short time)
• throat discomfort
• feeling sick (nausea), dry mouth, vomiting, diarrhoea, indigestion (dyspepsia)
• feeling of heaviness in parts of the body, neck pain, stiffness
• pain in abdomen or chest

Uncommon (affects 1 to 10 users in 1000)

• bad taste in your mouth.
• unsteadiness when walking (ataxia), dizziness (vertigo), blurred vision, tremor, fainting (syncope)
• confusion, nervousness.
• high blood pressure (hypertension); thirst, hot flushes, sweating
• rash, itching and lumpy rash (hives); swelling of face, lips, tongue and/or throat which may cause difficulty breathing and/or swallowing (angioedema), difficulty breathing (dyspnoea)
• feeling of tightness in parts of the body, muscle weakness.
• changes in the rhythm or rate of the heartbeat (arrhythmia); abnormalities of the electrocardiogram (a test that records the electrical activity of your heart), very fast heartbeat (tachycardia)
• facial pain; muscle pain.

For a full list of side effects CLICK HERE

Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of allergic reactions, serotonin syndrome, heart attack or stroke.

In addition, tell your doctor if you experience any symptoms that suggest an allergic reaction (such as a rash or itching) after taking MAXALT MELT.