Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT (rizatriptan) are prescription brand-name medications. They’re approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat migraine that happens with or without aura. Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT are for use in adults as well as children ages 6 years and older.

Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT are not approved to help prevent migraine or treat cluster headaches. The drugs are prescribed only to people whom a doctor has diagnosed with migraine.

You’ll take Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT as needed when you have migraine. If you and your doctor agree the drug treats your condition well, you’ll likely take it long term.

Here are some fast facts about Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT:

  • Active ingredient: rizatriptan
  • Drug class: triptans
  • Drug forms: oral tablet (Maxalt), oral disintegrating tablet (Maxalt-MLT)

Like other drugs, Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT can cause side effects. Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects. For a general overview of Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT, including details about their uses, see this article.

Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. But if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT in clinical studies:

  • weakness
  • fatigue
  • sleepiness
  • pressure, pain, or tightness in your chest, jaw, neck, or throat*
  • dizziness

* To learn more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Mild side effects can occur with Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to the prescribing information for Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT include:

  • weakness
  • fatigue
  • sleepiness
  • dizziness
  • burning or prickling sensation, typically in your arms, hands, legs, or feet
  • dry mouth
  • nausea
  • headache
  • memory loss*
  • tightness in your jaw, neck, throat, or chest*

* To learn more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. But if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drugs. For more information, you can refer to prescribing information for Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

* To learn more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after taking Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT. But this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical studies.

Long-term side effects

Most Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT side effects are temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. But in rare cases, the drugs can cause some side effects that are long term. For example, stroke can cause long-term problems that require treatment. Other long-term side effects that are described in “Side effect specifics” below include heart problems.

If you have side effects last longer than a few days to weeks, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drugs’ side effects and their answers.

Are any side effects specific to the 10-mg dose of Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT?

No. Side effects reported by people taking Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT in clinical studies were the same whether they took a 5-milligram (mg) or 10-mg dose.

But some side effects occurred slightly more often with the 10-mg dose than the 5-mg dose, including:

  • pressure, pain, or tightness in the chest, jaw, neck, or throat*
  • dizziness
  • nausea
  • sleepiness
  • weakness
  • fatigue

For the complete side effects reported in these studies, see the prescribing information for Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT. Your doctor or pharmacist can also provide details.

* To learn more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

What are Maxalt wafers and their side effects?

“Wafer” is another term for oral disintegrating tablet. This is the form that Maxalt-MLT comes as. You place the tablet on your tongue, and it dissolves in your mouth.

Side effects of Maxalt-MLT wafers are the same as those of Maxalt oral tablets. For the complete side effects either form may cause, refer to the prescribing information for Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT. Your doctor or pharmacist can also provide more information.

How do the side effects of Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT compare with those of Imitrex?

Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT, and Imitrex can cause similar side effects, such as sleepiness and dizziness. But these medications can cause different side effects as well. For example, one of Imitrex’s forms is a nasal spray, and using it may irritate your nose or throat.

Like Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT, Imitrex is prescribed to treat migraine.

To learn more about how these medications are alike and different, you can read this article. Your doctor or pharmacist can also provide more information.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT may cause.

Memory loss

Memory loss or impairment (forgetfulness) is possible with Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT. However, this was very rarely reported in the drugs’ clinical studies.

What you can do

If you have memory loss or impairment while taking Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT, talk with your doctor. They may recommend that you stop taking the medication or suggest a different migraine treatment.

Heart problems

Although rare, serious heart problems have been reported in people taking Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT. These problems include heart attack, Prinzmetal’s angina, and arrhythmia (irregular heart rate or rhythm).

Angina is a condition in which you have feelings of pain, pressure, or squeezing in your chest. It occurs when a part or parts of your heart don’t receive enough oxygen. Prinzmetal’s angina is a specific type of angina in which you have spasms in your coronary arteries.

In extreme cases, arrhythmias can be life threatening. Heart rate or rhythm problems have been reported to occur within hours of taking a dose of triptan medications such as Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT.

Symptoms of heart problems

Symptoms of heart attack or Prinzmetal’s angina can include:

  • aching, pressure, squeezing, or tightness in your chest
  • feeling dizzy or light-headed
  • feeling clammy or sweaty
  • pain in your chest that may spread to your arms, back, jaw, or neck
  • shortness of breath

Symptoms of an arrhythmia can include chest pain, dizziness, and fainting. Another possible symptom is heart palpitations (feeling of skipped or extra heartbeats).

Factors or conditions that can increase the risk of heart problems

If you have heart disease, blood vessel disease, or high blood pressure that isn’t well managed, your risk of heart problems with Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT may increase further. Due to this risk, doctors typically will not prescribe Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT if you have these conditions.

Other factors and conditions can also increase your risk of serious heart problems if you take Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT. These risk factors include:

What you can do

Before taking Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT, be sure to tell your doctor about your full medical history, especially if you have any risk factors mentioned above. They may check your heart health to determine if either drug is safe for you to take.

Your doctor may have you take your first dose in their office or a clinic. This allows them to monitor your heart. If your doctor decides that Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT is safe for you, they may check your heart from time to time during your treatment.

If you develop any symptoms of heart problems while taking Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT, talk with your doctor right away. They’ll likely have you stop taking the drug and switch to a different migraine medication.

Tightness in your jaw, neck, throat, or chest

Some people develop mild discomfort in their jaw, neck, throat, or chest after taking Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT. In the drugs’ clinical studies, this discomfort was a common side effect.

Symptoms specifically affect the jaw, neck, throat, or chest and may include:

  • tightness
  • heaviness
  • pressure
  • pain

What you can do

In most cases, this tightness is mild and temporary. It should go away on its own within a few hours as the effects of Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT wear off.

However, if these symptoms become severe or don’t go away, you should seek immediate medical attention. This is because similar symptoms can also signal a heart attack or other heart problem. And Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT can cause serious heart problems, especially in people with certain conditions or risk factors. (To learn more, see “Heart problems” above.)

If you have questions or concerns about this side effect, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT can cause an allergic reaction in some people. But this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical studies.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your lips, eyelids, feet, or hands
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT. But if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT. Either drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. The conditions and factors to consider include:

Type of migraine called basilar or hemiplegic. Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT can increase the risk of stroke if you have hemiplegic or basilar migraine. Due to this risk, doctors typically will not prescribe Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT if you have either type of migraine. You can ask your doctor about other migraine treatments.

Heart disease, blood vessel disease, or high blood pressure. If you have heart disease, blood vessel disease, or high blood pressure that isn’t well managed, Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT may increase your risk of heart problems. Other conditions and factors can also increase your risk of heart problems with Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT. For details, see “Heart problems” in “Side effect specifics” above.

History of stroke or ministroke. In rare cases, Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT can cause stroke. You may have an increased risk if you’ve already had a stroke or transient ischemic attack (ministroke). Due to this risk, doctors typically will not prescribe Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT if you have had a stroke or ministroke.Your doctor may be able to recommend another migraine treatment.

Bowel ischemia. Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT may worsen bowel ischemia. (This is a rare but serious condition that occurs when there’s a reduction in blood flow to your intestines.) Due to this risk, doctors typically will not prescribe Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT if you have this condition. You can ask your doctor to suggest different treatments for migraine.

Peripheral vascular disease. Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT may worsen peripheral vascular disease (PVD). Due to this risk, doctors typically will not prescribe Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT if you have PVD.Your doctor may be able to recommend other migraine treatments.

Phenylketonuria. If you have a condition called phenylketonuria (PKU), your doctor will usually prescribe Maxalt instead of Maxalt-MLT. This is because Maxalt-MLT tablets contain phenylalanine, while Maxalt tablets don’t. If you have any questions, talk with your doctor.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT or any of their ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe either drug. Talk with your doctor about which other treatments may be better choices for you.

Alcohol use with Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT

There isn’t a known interaction between drinking alcohol and taking Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT.

But alcohol can be a migraine trigger for some people. Talk with your doctor about how much alcohol is safe for you to drink while taking Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT to treat migraine.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT

It’s not known if it’s safe to take Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT while pregnant or breastfeeding. There haven’t been studies in pregnant people taking either medication. And there haven’t been studies to see if Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT could affect breast milk production or a breastfed child.

If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor. You should also talk with them if you’re breastfeeding or considering it. Your doctor can advise you on the risks and benefits of taking Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT. They can also review other treatment options and healthy ways to feed your child.

Although Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT can cause side effects, they aren’t common. And when the side effects do occur, they’re usually mild. Most mild side effects of the drugs go away with time and don’t require medical attention.

You should talk with your doctor if you develop serious side effects or become pregnant while taking Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT. It’s not known whether these medications are safe to take while pregnant.

If you’d like to learn more about Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.

You can also do some research on your own. These articles might help:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.