Maxalt
Maxalt - General Information
Maxalt is a triptan drug used for the treatment of migraine headaches. It is a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine1 receptor subtype agonist.
Pharmacology of Maxalt
Maxalt is a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor subtype agonist indicated for the acute treatment of migraine attacks with or without aura in adults. Maxalt is not intended for the prophylactic therapy of migraine or for use in the management of hemiplegic or basilar migraine. Maxalt is an agonist for a vascular 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor subtype (probably a member of the 5-HT1D family) having only a weak affinity for 5-HT1A, 5-HT5A, and 5-HT7 receptors and no significant affinity or pharmacological activity at 5-HT2, 5-HT3 or 5-HT4 receptor subtypes or at alpha1-, alpha2-, or beta-adrenergic, dopamine1,; dopamine2; muscarinic, or benzodiazepine receptors. This action in humans correlates with the relief of migraine headache. In addition to causing vasoconstriction, experimental data from animal studies show that Maxalt also activates 5-HT1 receptors on peripheral terminals of the trigeminal nerve innervating cranial blood vessels, which may also contribute to the antimigrainous effect of Maxalt in humans.
Maxalt for patients
Migraine or treatment with MAXALT may cause somnolence in some patients. Dizziness has also been reported in some patients receiving MAXALT. Patients should, therefore, evaluate their ability to perform complex tasks during migraine attacks and after administration of MAXALT. Physicians should instruct their patients to read the patient package insert before taking MAXALT.
Maxalt Interactions
Propranolol: Rizatriptan 5 mg should be used in patients taking propranolol, as propranolol has been shown to increase the plasma concentrations of rizatriptan by 70%.
Ergot-containing drugs: Ergot-containing drugs have been reported to cause prolonged vasospastic reactions. Because there is a theoretical basis that these effects may be additive, use of ergotamine-containing or ergot-type medications (like dihydroergotamine or methysergide) and rizatriptan within 24 hours is contraindicated.
Other 5-HT1 agonists: The administration of rizatriptan with other 5-HT1 agonists has not been evaluated in migraine patients. Because their vasospastic effects may be additive, coadministration of rizatriptan and other 5-HT1 agonists within 24 hours of each other is not recommended.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): SSRIs (e.g., fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline) have been reported, rarely, to cause weakness, hyperreflexia, and incoordination when coadministered with 5-HT1 agonists. If concomitant treatment with rizatriptan and an SSRI is clinically warranted, appropriate observation of the patient is advised. No clinical or pharmacokinetic interactions were observed when Rizatriptan 10 mg was administered with paroxetine.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors: Rizatriptan should not be administered to patients taking MAO-A inhibitors and non-selective MAO inhibitors; it has been shown that moclobemide (a specific MAO-A inhibitor) increased the systemic exposure of rizatriptan and its metabolite.
Drug/Laboratory Test Interactions: Rizatriptan is not known to interfere with commonly employed clinical laboratory tests.
Maxalt Contraindications
MAXALT should not be given to patients with ischemic heart disease (e.g., angina pectoris, history of myocardial infarction, or documented silent ischemia) or to patients who have symptoms or findings consistent with ischemic heart disease, coronary artery vasospasm, including Prinzmetal's variant angina, or other significant underlying cardiovascular disease.
Because MAXALT may increase blood pressure, it should not be given to patients with uncontrolled hypertension .
MAXALT should not be used within 24 hours of treatment with another 5-HT1 agonist, or an ergotamine-containing or ergot-type medication like dihydroergotamine or methysergide. MAXALT should not be administered to patients with hemiplegic or basilar migraine.
Concurrent administration of MAO inhibitors or use of rizatriptan within 2 weeks of discontinuation of MAO inhibitor therapy is contraindicated. MAXALT is contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to rizatriptan or any of its inactive ingredients.
Additional information about Maxalt
Maxalt Indication: For treatment of acute migraine attacks.
Mechanism Of Action: Maxalt binds with high affinity to human 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D receptors leading to cranial blood vessel constriction.
Drug Interactions: Not Available
Food Interactions: Not Available
Generic Name: Rizatriptan
Synonyms: Rizatriptan benzoat; Rizatriptan benzoate; Risatriptan; MK 462 Free Base
Drug Category: Anti-migraine Agents; Vasoconstrictor Agents; Anti-inflammatory Agents; Selective Serotonin Agonists
Drug Type: Small Molecule; Approved
Other Brand Names containing Rizatriptan: Maxalt; Maxalt-MLT;
Absorption: Rapid following oral administration. Bioavailability is 45%. Food has no effect on the bioavailability of rizatriptan. However, administering rizatriptan with food will delay by 1 hour the time to reach peak plasma concentration. The rate of absorption is not affected by the presence of a migraine attack.
Toxicity (Overdose): Symptoms of overdose include dizziness, fainting, heart and blood vessel problems, high blood pressure, loss of bowel and bladder control, slow heartbeat, and vomiting.
Protein Binding: 14%
Biotransformation: Rizatriptan is metabolized by monoamine oxidase A isoenzyme (MAO-A) to an inactive indole acetic acid metabolite. In addition, several other inactive metabolites are formed. An active metabolite, N-monodesmethyl-rizatriptan, with pharmacological activity similar to that of the parent compound has been identified in small concentrations (14%) in the plasma.
Half Life: 2-3 hours
Dosage Forms of Maxalt: Tablet Oral
Wafer Oral
Chemical IUPAC Name: N,N-dimethyl-2-[5-(1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]ethanamine
Chemical Formula: C15H19N5
Rizatriptan on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rizatriptan
Organisms Affected: Humans and other mammals
