Maxalt vs. Amerge

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

Maxalt (rizatriptan) and Amerge (naratriptan) are selective 5-hydroxytryptamine 1B/1D (5-HT1B/1D) receptor agonists (“triptans”) used to treat the pain of migraine headache. Maxalt and Amerge will only treat a headache that has already begun. They will not prevent headaches or reduce the number of attacks.

Side effects of Maxalt and Amerge that are similar include flushing (warmth, redness, or tingling feeling under your skin), sensations of tingling/numbness/prickling/heat/warmth under your skin, weakness, drowsiness, tired feeling, dizziness, or pressure or heavy feeling in any part of your body.

Side effects of Maxalt that are different from Amerge include mild headache (not a migraine), dry mouth, nausea, or feeling of pain or tightness in the jaw, neck, or throat.

Both Maxalt and Amerge may interact with other migraine headache medicines, antidepressants, medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, narcotics, or medicines to prevent nausea and vomiting.

Maxalt may also interact with propranolol.

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).

Common side effects of Amerge include:

• flushing,
• sensations of tingling/numbness/prickling/heat/warmth under your skin,
• weakness,
• drowsiness,
• tired feeling,
• dizziness, or
• pressure or heavy feeling in any part of your body

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. Maxalt will not prevent headaches or reduce the number of attacks.

Amerge (naratriptan) is a headache medicine used to treat migraine headaches. Amerge will only treat a headache that has already begun. Amerge will not prevent headaches or reduce the number of attacks. Amerge is available in generic form.

Maxalt may interact with other migraine headache medicines, propranolol, or antidepressants. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. It is not known whether this medication is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking rizatriptan, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is also not known whether rizatriptan passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Amerge may interact with other migraine headache medicines, or antidepressants. Tell your doctor all medications you use. Amerge should be used only when prescribed during pregnancy. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

The adult dose of Amerge is 1 mg or 2.5 mg tablets taken with fluid. The dose may be repeated once after 4 hours, for a maximum dose of 5 mg in a 24-hour period.

The dosage of Amerge is 25 mg four times a day.