Imitrex vs. Maxalt

• Are Imitrex and Maxalt the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Imitrex?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Maxalt?
• What is Imitrex?
• What is Maxalt?
• What Drugs Interact with Imitrex?
• What Drugs Interact with Maxalt?
• How Should Imitrex Be Taken?
• How Should Maxalt Be Taken?

Imitrex (sumatriptan) and Maxalt (rizatriptan) are selective serotonin receptor agonists (also called triptans) used to treat migraine headaches.

Common side effects of Imitrex include:

• mild headache (not a migraine),
• pain or chest tightness,
• pressure or heavy feeling in any part of your body,
• weakness,
• feeling hot or cold,
• dizziness,
• spinning sensation,
• drowsiness,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• drooling,
• unusual taste in your mouth after using nasal spray,
• burning/numbness/pain/irritation in your nose or throat after using nasal spray, or
• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingling under the skin).

Common side effects of Maxalt include:

• mild headache (not a migraine),
• dry mouth,
• nausea;
• feeling of pain or tightness in the jaw, neck, or throat;
• pressure or heavy feeling in any part of your body,
• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• tired feeling,
• weakness,
• feelings of tingling/numbness/prickling/heat, or
• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingling feeling under your skin).

Imitrex (sumatriptan) is a selective serotonin receptor agonist used in oral, intranasal or injectable dosage form to treat migraine headaches. Imitrex is available as a generic drug.

Maxalt (rizatriptan) tablets is a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine1B/1D (5-HT1B/1D) receptor agonist used to treat the pain of migraine headache. Maxalt is believed to work by narrowing the blood vessels around the brain and by decreasing levels of substances involved in the development of migraine pain. Maxalt will only treat a headache that has already begun.

Imitrex may interact with sibutramine (Meridia); monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) isocarboxazid (Marplan); selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft), serotonin; norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, venlafaxine (Effexor)) and duloxetine (Cymbalta); and ergot-containing medications, dihydroergotamine (Migranal) and ergotamine (Methergine).

Maxalt may interact with other migraine headache medicines, propranolol, or antidepressants.

The maximum single recommended adult dose of Imitrex Injection for the acute treatment of migraine or cluster headache is 6 mg injected subcutaneously. For the treatment of migraine, if side effects are dose limiting, lower doses (1 mg to 5 mg) of Imitrex may be used.

The recommended starting dose of Maxalt is either 5 mg or 10 mg for the acute treatment of migraines in adults.