Skip to main content
MedicHelpLine
Verified Professional Network190+ CountriesHIPAA-Aware Platform
Back to Drug Index
General MedicationsORALHigh Alert

Rizatriptan

RIZATRIPTAN

Standard Dose
2 DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION Adults: 5 mg or 10 mg single dose; separate repeat doses by at least two hours; maximum dose in a 24-hour period: 30 mg (2.1) Pediatric patients 6 to 17 years: 5 mg single dose in patients less than 40 kg (88 lb); 10 mg single dose in patients 40 kg (88 lb) or more ( 2.2 ) Adjust dose if co-administered with propranolol ( 2.4 ) 2.1 Dosing Information in Adults The recommended starting dose of rizatriptan benzoate tablets is either 5 mg or 10 mg for the acute treatment of migraines in adults. The 10-mg dose may provide a greater effect than the 5-mg dose, but may have a greater risk of adverse reactions [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ]. Redosing in Adults Although the effectiveness of a second dose or subsequent doses has not been established in placebo-controlled trials, if the migraine headache returns, a second dose may be administered 2 hours after the first dose. The maximum daily dose should not exceed 30 mg in any 24-hour period. The safety of treating, on average, more than four headaches in a 30-day period has not been established. 2.2 Dosing Information in Pediatric Patients (Age 6 to 17 Years) Dosing in pediatric patients is based on the patient's body weight. The recommended dose of rizatriptan benzoate tablets is 5-mg in patients weighing less than 40 kg (88 lb), and 10 mg in patients weighing 40 kg (88 lb) or more. The efficacy and safety of treatment with more than one dose of rizatriptan benzoate tablets within 24 hours in pediatric patients 6 to 17 years of age have not been established. 2.4 Dosage Adjustment for Patients on Propranolol Adult Patients In adult patients taking propranolol, only the 5-mg dose of rizatriptan benzoate tablets is recommended, up to a maximum of 3 doses in any 24-hour period (15 mg) [see Drug Interactions (7.1) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )]. Pediatric Patients For pediatric patients weighing 40 kg (88 lb) or more, taking propranolol, only a single 5-mg dose of rizatriptan benzoate tablets is recommended (maximum dose of 5 mg in a 24-hour period). Rizatriptan benzoate tablets should not be prescribed to propranolol-treated pediatric patients who weigh less than 40 kg (88 lb) [ see Drug Interactions ( 7.1 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 ) ].
Max Dose
See official label
Primary Use
1 INDICATIONS & USAGE Ri zatriptan benzoate tablets are indicated for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults and in pediatric patients 6 to 17 years old.
Summary

Indications and usage 1 INDICATIONS & USAGE Ri zatriptan benzoate tablets are indicated for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults and in pediatric patients 6 to 17 years old.

Limitations of Use • Rizatriptan benzoate tablets should only be used where a clear diagnosis of migraine has been established.

Structured Monograph

Clinical summary

Indications and usage 1 INDICATIONS & USAGE Ri zatriptan benzoate tablets are indicated for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults and in pediatric patients 6 to 17 years old. Limitations of Use • Rizatriptan benzoate tablets should only be used where a clear diagnosis of migraine has been established. If a patient has no response for the first migraine attack treated with rizatriptan benzoate tablets, the diagnosis of migraine should be reconsidered before rizatriptan benzoate tablets are administered to treat any subsequent attacks. • Rizatriptan benzoate tablets are not indicated for use in the management of hemiplegic or basilar migraine [see Contraindications (4) ]. • Rizatriptan benzoate tablets are not indicated for the prevention of migraine attacks. • Safety and effectiveness of rizatriptan benzoate tablets have not been established for cluster headache. Rizatriptan benzoate is a serotonin (5-HT)1B/1D receptor agonist (triptan) indicated for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults and in pediatric patients 6 to 17 years of age (1) Limitations of Use: • Use only after clear diagnosis of migraine has been established ( 1 ) • Not indicated for the prophylactic therapy of migraine ( 1 ) • Not indicated for the treatment of cluster headache ( 1 ) Dosage and administration 2 DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION Adults: 5 mg or 10 mg single dose; separate repeat doses by at least two hours; maximum dose in a 24-hour period: 30 mg (2.1) Pediatric patients 6 to 17 years: 5 mg single dose in patients less than 40 kg (88 lb); 10 mg single dose in patients 40 kg (88 lb) or more ( 2.2 ) Adjust dose if co-administered with propranolol ( 2.4 ) 2.1 Dosing Information in Adults The recommended starting dose of rizatriptan benzoate tablets is either 5 mg or 10 mg for the acute treatment of migraines in adults. The 10-mg dose may provide a greater effect than the 5-mg dose, but may have a greater risk of adverse reactions [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ]. Redosing in Adults Although the effectiveness of a second dose or subsequent doses has not been established in placebo-controlled trials, if the migraine headache returns, a second dose may be administered 2 hours after the first dose. The maximum daily dose should not exceed 30 mg in any 24-hour period. The safety of treating, on average, more than four headaches in a 30-day period has not been established. 2.2 Dosing Information in Pediatric Patients (Age 6 to 17 Years) Dosing in pediatric patients is based on the patient's body weight. The recommended dose of rizatriptan benzoate tablets is 5-mg in patients weighing less than 40 kg (88 lb), and 10 mg in patients weighing 40 kg (88 lb) or more. The efficacy and safety of treatment with more than one dose of rizatriptan benzoate tablets within 24 hours in pediatric patients 6 to 17 years of age have not been established. 2.4 Dosage Adjustment for Patients on Propranolol Adult Patients In adult patients taking propranolol, only the 5-mg dose of rizatriptan benzoate tablets is recommended, up to a maximum of 3 doses in any 24-hour period (15 mg) [see Drug Interactions (7.1) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )]. Pediatric Patients For pediatric patients weighing 40 kg (88 lb) or more, taking propranolol, only a single 5-mg dose of rizatriptan benzoate tablets is recommended (maximum dose of 5 mg in a 24-hour period). Rizatriptan benzoate tablets should not be prescribed to propranolol-treated pediatric patients who weigh less than 40 kg (88 lb) [ see Drug Interactions ( 7.1 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 ) ]. Warnings and cautions 5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, and Prinzmetal's angina: Perform cardiac evaluation in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors ( 5.1 ) • Arrhythmias: Discontinue dosing if occurs ( 5.2 ) • Chest/throat/neck/jaw pain, tightness, pressure, or heaviness; Generally not associated with myocardial ischemia; Evaluate patients at high risk ( 5.3 ) • Cerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and stroke: Discontinue dosing if occurs ( 5.4 ) • Gastrointestinal ischemic events, peripheral vasospastic reactions: Discontinue dosing if occurs ( 5.5 ) • Medication overuse headache: Detoxification may be necessary ( 5.6 ) • Serotonin syndrome: Discontinue dosing if occurs ( 5.7 ) 5.1 Myocardial Ischemia, Myocardial Infarction, and Prinzmetal's Angina Rizatriptan benzoate should not be given to patients with ischemic or vasospastic coronary artery disease. There have been rare reports of serious cardiac adverse reactions, including acute myocardial infarction, occurring within a few hours following administration of rizatriptan benzoate. Some of these reactions occurred in patients without known coronary artery disease (CAD). 5-HT 1 agonists, including rizatriptan benzoate may cause coronary artery vasospasm (Prinzmetal's Angina), even in patients without a history of CAD. Triptan-naïve patients who have multiple card

Monitoring

  • 5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, and Prinzmetal's angina: Perform cardiac evaluation in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors ( 5.1 ) • Arrhythmias: Discontinue dosing if occurs ( 5.2 ) • Chest/throat/neck/jaw pain, tightness, pressure, or heaviness; Generally not associated with myocardial ischemia; Evaluate patients at high risk ( 5.3 ) • Cerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and stroke: Discontinue dosing if occurs ( 5.4 ) • Gastrointestinal ischemic events, peripheral vasospastic reactions: Discontinue dosing if occurs ( 5.5 ) • Medication overuse headache: Detoxification may be necessary ( 5.6 ) • Serotonin syndrome: Discontinue dosing if occurs ( 5.7 ) 5.1 Myocardial Ischemia, Myocardial Infarction, and Prinzmetal's Angina Rizatriptan benzoate should not be given to patients with ischemic or vasospastic coronary artery disease.
  • There have been rare reports of serious cardiac adverse reactions, including acute myocardial infarction, occurring within a few hours following administration of rizatriptan benzoate.
  • Some of these reactions occurred in patients without known coronary artery disease (CAD).
  • 5-HT 1 agonists, including rizatriptan benzoate may cause coronary artery vasospasm (Prinzmetal's Angina), even in patients without a history of CAD.

Interaction Notes

  • 7 DRUG INTERACTIONS 7.1 Propranolol The dose of rizatriptan benzoate should be adjusted in propranolol-treated patients, as propranolol has been shown to increase the plasma AUC of rizatriptan by 70% [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.4 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] .
  • 7.2 Ergot-Containing Drugs Ergot-containing drugs have been reported to cause prolonged vasospastic reactions.
  • Because these effects may be additive, use of ergotamine-containing or ergot-type medications (like dihydroergotamine or methysergide) and rizatriptan benzoate within 24 hours is contraindicated [see Contraindications ( 4 )] .
  • 7.3 Other 5-HT 1 Agonists Because their vasospastic effects may be additive, co-administration of rizatriptan benzoate and other 5-HT 1 agonists within 24 hours of each other is contraindicated [see Contraindications ( 4 )] .