Maxalt (rizatriptan benzoate) and Maxalt-MLT (rizatriptan benzoate) are prescription drugs for treating migraine that occurs with or without aura. Aura refers to certain physical or sensory symptoms. Both drugs are also available as generic drugs.

Maxalt and Malaxt-MLT are approved for use in adults and children ages 6 years and older.

Both drugs belong to a group of drugs called triptans and contain the active ingredient rizatriptan benzoate. Maxalt comes as an oral tablet. Maxalt-MLT comes as an oral tablet that dissolves in your mouth.

This article refers to both brands as “Maxalt,” but it also notes if any information applies to only Maxalt-MLT. To learn more about Maxalt, see this in-depth Maxalt article.

Migraine is a neurological condition that causes intense headaches. The headaches are often debilitating and can cause throbbing or pulsating pain.

What are the symptoms of migraine?

Migraine episodes occur in phases. Symptoms of a migraine vary by phase. The phases are:

  • Prodrome: You may start to feel symptoms 1 to 2 days before the headache begins. Symptoms during this stage include:
    • neck stiffness
    • mood or energy changes
    • food cravings
    • irritability
  • Aura: Some migraines can occur with aura. This is a collection of physical or sensory symptoms. Examples are:
    • sensitivity to light or sound
    • changes to your sense of smell
    • difficulty speaking
  • Headache: The headache can feel like it’s throbbing, pulsating, or pounding. This pain can last for hours to days.
  • Postdrome: After the headache, you can still feel tiredness, mood changes, or problems with concentrating.

Who is Maxalt prescribed for?

Maxalt is prescribed for adults and children ages 6 years and older. It is approved to treat migraine that occurs with or without aura. You should not take it for the following purposes:

  • to treat migraine that hasn’t been diagnosed by a healthcare professional
  • to prevent migraine
  • to treat cluster headaches

Talk with your doctor to determine whether Maxalt is right for you.

Maxalt belongs to a class of drugs called triptans. (A drug class is a group of medications that work in a similar way.) For treating migraine, Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT both come in one strength of 10 milligrams (mg).

How does Maxalt work?

Maxalt works to treat migraines by increasing levels of serotonin in your brain. Serotonin is a chemical that helps control the tightening of the brain’s blood vessels. The increase in serotonin levels causes the blood vessels in your brain to narrow. In turn, this narrowing relieves migraine symptoms, such as pain and inflammation.

Is Maxalt used in children?

Yes, Maxalt is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat migraine in children ages 6 years and older. In studies, Maxalt was found to be safe and effective for children in this age group.

Maxalt is also approved for use in adults.

As noted above, Maxalt belongs to a group of drugs called triptans. In guidelines for acute (sudden) migraine treatment, triptans are considered a first-choice treatment option for moderate to severe migraine.

In four studies, Maxalt was found to be effective for the treatment of migraine with or without aura. Similarly, in two studies, researchers concluded that Maxalt-MLT also was effective at treating this condition.

Expert Q&A

Question: Can menopause cause or worsen migraine?

In my experience and according to studies, people who have migraine related to hormonal changes such as menstruation, pregnancy, and birth control are more likely to have migraine worsen around the perimenopausal period.

It’s very hard to predict how long the perimenopausal period can last. While the average is around 2 to 8 years, it can be much shorter or much longer based on individual genetics and hormonal changes.

— Deena Kuruvilla, MD

Learn more about migraine and menopause

Below is general information on how to take Maxalt. Be sure to take Maxalt exactly as your doctor prescribes. They will determine the best dosage for treating your condition.

What is the usual dosage for Maxalt?

For adults: The typical dose of Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT for adults is 5 milligrams (mg) or 10 mg. You take a dose as soon as you notice a migraine starting. If your migraine comes back, you may take a second dose. But you should wait at least 2 hours after the first dose to take the second dose.

The maximum dosage of Maxalt is 30 mg in a 24-hour period. You should not treat more than four migraine headaches with Maxalt in a 30-day period.

For children ages 6 years and older: Your child’s doctor will prescribe a dosage of Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT based on your child’s body weight in kilograms (kg). For reference, 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb).

The recommended dose of either drug is as follows:

  • Children weighing less than 40 kg (less than 88 lb): 5 mg
  • Children weighing 40 kg or more (about 88 lb or more): 10 mg

Children should take this dose as soon at the first sign of a migraine starting.

How do you take Maxalt?

Maxalt is an oral tablet. You swallow Maxalt when you first start having symptoms of a migraine. You can take the dose with or without regard to food or meals.

Maxalt-MLT is an orally disintegrating tablet, which dissolves in your mouth. When you first notice migraine symptoms, place one tablet of Maxalt-MLT on your tongue and let it dissolve. You can take the dose with or without regard to food or meals. Before removing Maxalt-MLT from the foil pack, be sure your hands are dry so the medication doesn’t dissolve before you take it.

How often should I take Maxalt?

You should take one dose of Maxalt as soon as you notice migraine symptoms. In adults, if the migraine comes back, you can take a second dose at least 2 hours after the first dose. Children should not take a second dose.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about how to take Maxalt.

Taking Maxalt for migraine (its only approved use) may cause side effects in some people. These side effects can be mild or serious.

The lists below include some of the main side effects that have been reported in people taking Maxalt. For information about other side effects possible with this medication, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

You can also learn more from the Maxalt side effects article or from Maxalt’s prescribing information.

What are Maxalt’s mild side effects?

Maxalt may cause mild side effects in some people. These include:

  • dizziness
  • fatigue (tiredness)
  • pain, pressure, or tightness in your jaw, neck, throat, or chest
  • drowsiness
  • weakness
  • tingling or prickling sensation in your arms, hands, legs, or feet
  • dry mouth
  • nausea
  • headache
  • memory loss

In many cases, mild side effects from the drug can be temporary. Some side effects may be easy to manage, too. But if side effects prolong or become bothersome or severe, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What are Maxalt’s serious side effects?

Taking Maxalt may lead to rare but serious side effects. Examples include:

Call your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects during Maxalt treatment. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911. Or call your local emergency number immediately.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Maxalt can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should continue treatment with Maxalt.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911. Or call your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

Your doctor can confirm whether you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Maxalt. If so, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Maxalt may not be a safe option for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Some examples are mentioned below.

If you have the following medical conditions or other health factors, talk with your doctor before starting Maxalt.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT.

Is rizatriptan (Maxalt) addictive?

No, addiction wasn’t reported in studies of Maxalt. Addiction refers to feeling unable to stop taking a drug, even though it may be causing harm.

Taking Maxalt too often can increase your risk of medication overuse headache or “rebound headache.” The drugmaker recommends treating no more than four headaches with Maxalt in a 30-day period. For this reason, it’s important to take Maxalt exactly as your doctor prescribes.

If you feel that you’re becoming addicted to Maxalt or you’re taking it more often than recommended, talk with your doctor. They can help determine the best course of treatment for you.

Is Maxalt a narcotic?

No, Maxalt is not a narcotic. Maxalt belongs to a group of drugs called triptans. The term “narcotic” is usually used to describe opioid medications. Some people describe illegal drugs as narcotics.

Does Maxalt cause long-term side effects?

It’s possible. Long-term side effects include:

  • those that may start at any time you’re taking a drug, even if you’ve taken it a long time
  • those that may not go away, even after you stop taking the drug

Examples of long-term side effects reported in Maxalt’s studies include:

  • stroke
  • severe heart problems
  • blood vessel problems

Talk with your doctor to learn more about possible side effects of Maxalt and how long they may last.

What are Maxalt wafers and their side effects?

Maxalt wafers refer to the orally disintegrating tablets known as Maxalt-MLT. These are oral tablets that dissolve on the tongue.

Maxalt-MLT side effects are the same as those of Maxalt. See the “What are the side effects of Maxalt?” section to learn more about the side effects of Maxalt-MLT. If you have questions, you can refer to Maxalt’s prescribing information or ask your doctor.

The price of Maxalt depends on several factors. These can include your treatment plan, your insurance plan (if you have insurance), the pharmacy you use, and your location.

To save money on your Maxalt prescription, explore these Optum Perks coupons. (Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.)

Maxalt is a brand-name drug that’s also available as a generic. Brand-name drugs usually cost more than generics. To learn about the generic form, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.