Maxalt vs. Relpax

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

Maxalt (rizatriptan) and Relpax (eletriptan hydrobromide) are selective 5-hydroxytryptamine 1B/1D (5-HT1B/1D) receptor agonists (“triptans”) used to treat the pain of migraine headache. Maxalt and Relpax 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 Relpax that are similar include mild headache (not a migraine), dry mouth, nausea, pressure or heavy feeling in any part of your body, dizziness, drowsiness, weakness, feelings of tingling/numbness/prickling/heat, or flushing (warmth, redness, or tingling feeling under your skin).

Side effects of Maxalt that are different from Relpax include feeling of pain or tightness in the jaw, neck, or throat; or tired feeling.

Side effects of Relpax that are different from Maxalt include upset stomach or stomach pain or cramps.

Both Maxalt and Relpax 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.

Relpax may also interact with sibutramine, azole antifungals, nefazodone, clarithromycin, or ritonavir.

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 Relpax include:

• mild headache (not a migraine),
• tingling/numbness,
• nausea,
• upset stomach,
• stomach pain or cramps,
• weakness,
• drowsiness,
• dizziness,
• pressure or heavy feeling in any part of your body,
• dry mouth, or
• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingling under your skin).

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Relpax including:

• blue fingers/toes/nails, or
• cold hands or feet.

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.

Relpax (eletriptan hydrobromide) is a selective serotonin receptor agonist used to treat migraine headaches. Relpax will only treat a headache that has already begun. Relpax will not prevent headaches or reduce the number of attacks.

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.

Relpax should not be used with sibutramine because a very serious interaction may occur. Relpax should not be used within 72 hours of use of drugs affecting liver enzymes that remove eletriptan from your body such as nefazodone, azole antifungals, antibiotics, and protease inhibitors. Relpax should not be used within 24 hours of use of ergot-type drugs or other migraine drugs because of serious interactions. Antidepressants, St. John's wort, antihistamines, anti-seizure drugs, medicine for sleep or anxiety, muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers, and psychiatric medicines may all adversely interact with this drug. Discuss all medications you are taking with your doctor.

The adult dose of Relpax 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.

A single dose of 20 mg or 40 mg is effective for the acute treatment of migraine in adults. After taking Relpax, you must wait 2 hours before taking another dose.