Rizatriptan and Chest Pain: What Users Say

• Sto...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 28, 2020

Rizatriptan for Migraine "Maxalt helped with my migraines, however, the aftereffects left me depressed, with chest pains, a sore neck, achy all over, tired, and dizzy. I also found myself having to pee way more than normal, and it made me feel like I was dying, in a sense. I have a brain tumor and for sure thought it turned to cancer and spread through my body before realizing it was the meds. I haven't taken any in a few days and already feel so much better."

• lyd...
• July 20, 2017

Rizatriptan for Migraine "I was prescribed this medication because I was experiencing severe migraines multiple times a month. After taking the medication, I usually have to take another pill an hour later, and my headache symptoms will go away. It makes me very sleepy and gives me slight chest pain that feels like heartburn. If I don't rest right after taking it, the headache still goes away, but I get severe nausea, dizziness, and tightness in my chest. The side effects eventually go away, but they are awful while they are occurring. The trade-off of headache and side effects doesn't seem really worth it to me, but that's just my opinion."

• lyd...
• July 20, 2017

Rizatriptan for Migraine "I was prescribed this medication because I was experiencing severe migraines multiple times a month. After taking the medication, I usually have to take another pill an hour later, and my headache symptoms will go away. It makes me very sleepy and gives me slight chest pain that feels like heartburn. If I don't rest right after taking it, the headache still goes away, but I get severe nausea, dizziness, and tightness in my chest. The side effects eventually go away, but they are awful while they are occurring. The trade-off of headache and side effects doesn't seem really worth it to me, but that's just my opinion."

• Bea...
• September 28, 2019

For Migraine "This medication is great for my migraines and knocks them out, but the side effects often leave me scared. To begin with, I’m always knocked out in about 20 minutes, as it makes me extremely sleepy. So this is not a pill I can just pop in at work when I feel a migraine coming up. It is inconvenient to only take it at home in bed. Right before I fall asleep comes the extremely burning feeling of my sinuses, pressure in my throat and chest, and my jaw feels like I’ve been in a beef jerky chewing marathon for weeks. It’s hard to explain how this all feels, but it’s scary, and I just end up looking forward to falling asleep. I usually wake up refreshed with no headache. I got these same side effects when I took sumatriptans and asked my doctor to change it. She gave me rizatriptan, and I just pretty much felt helpless. Some days the side effects are worse than others, but I’m desperate enough to take the pill anyway because anything is better than the migraines."

• Anonymous
• October 23, 2009

Rizatriptan for Migraine "Maxalt has fewer side effects, for me, than other migraine medications. Previously, I have been on the Maxalt 5 but needed to go up to the Maxalt 10, which helps relieve the pain more completely. I tried many other medicines, and this has been the best for me, I believe it is different for every person. My nausea does increase on this medication, but no chest heaviness as with other medicines."

• Bob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 20, 2021

For Migraine "Worst medication I’ve ever taken in terms of side effects. I literally just got back from the ER from the side effects. Felt like I was having a heart attack, was nauseous, dizzy and couldn’t walk well, was flushed and had a 103 temperature, elevated heart rate and severe chest pain. Also a weird tingling burning sensation all over my body at times."

• 293...
• February 11, 2009

"Maxalt is great. Once I can tell my headache is starting, I take the pill. Usually in less than 30-60 minutes, I forget that my head was hurting, and I am able to work for 8-12 hours, sometimes longer. I agree with another comment: it gives no side effects, like a rapid heart rate or chest pain. After having surgery, I got spinal meningitis, which started my migraines when I was 34 years old. Now at 48, I am thankful for Maxalt."

• Amb...
• July 29, 2021

For Migraine "I took this medicine with the onset of a migraine and took 1/2 of rizatriptan 10 mg, went to sleep, and woke up to start my day. As the day went on, my chest started to feel heavy, and with every breath, pain would shoot through with every breath I took. I had to have all sorts of blood tests, EKG, CAT scan. Do not take this medication. The heaviness lasted 2 days in my chest, worst medication ever."

• KD6...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 13, 2022

Rizatriptan for Migraine "Worked the first time, but then, every time after, I get a panic attack and chest pain. I replaced Imitrex, which did the same. Nurtec and Ubrelvy have even worse side effects. I have no more options."