Rizatriptan and Nausea: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• December 23, 2008

Rizatriptan for Migraine "Migraine, the word can’t convey the impact on life. For me, a typical one lasted about 36 hours, followed by another 24 hours of “hangover.” Somewhere during the 36-hour duration, there would be 12 hours of hell. I’ve used Maxalt-MLT about 10-12 times over the last 6 months. It has worked every time; I take one when I sense a migraine is starting, and it just doesn’t “blossom.” I have no side effects, no nausea, and no drowsiness. Sometime in the next 20-30 minutes, I’ll realize the apprehension, tension, and other precursors to the migraine have just disappeared. Migraines took too much of my life, and at their worst, pushed depression to the edge of suicide; it’s good to have a normal life back."

• Ima...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 28, 2016

Rizatriptan for Migraine "I've had ever-worsening migraines since I was in my 40s (I'm now 73). When they started, all that was available were drugs like Fiorinal and other mind-scrambling drugs. Finally, the triptans came along and saved my life. I started with Imitrex and tried the various other triptans, but Maxalt was the most effective. I would like to share one important observation: When I first started taking triptans, I had very few side effects and was able to function at a high-level job, run home with kids, etc. HOWEVER, as I got older, I realized that side effects emerged which have only gotten stronger over time. e.g. fogginess, sleepiness, nausea, etc. -- so be aware that side effects can increase with age. Still, Maxalt is a life-saver."

• Ele...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 21, 2015

Rizatriptan for Migraine "I've had migraines for years and have been given everything for them. I also believe I've gone through every triptan that one could imagine. This medicine has been phenomenal in relieving really tough migraine pain. Within 30 minutes, I can get relief. Also, I like that you can get it in sublingual form. Sometimes my migraines are so bad that I'm constantly throwing up everything. When I'm nauseous, the sublingual form is wonderful, however, it also comes in a tiny tablet. I keep this with me at all times. It has saved me from multiple hospital visits in the past. Hope this helps!"

• JCD...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 14, 2016

Rizatriptan for Migraine "I have suffered with migraine since I was 12 years old, and I'm now in my 50s. I've had every head exam and test possible, as well as tried a myriad of medications over the years for treatment. From taking preventive type things daily to treating the pain only during the headache. Nothing has given me the swift relief as this drug. It seems to give me complete relief within 30-40 minutes, without any side effects (that I've noticed). I took Imitrex for years with little relief and horrible side effects. It would make me feel dizzy, weird, and always made me nauseous. So I stopped taking it. Now with the Maxalt, I'm thrilled to know I can take it without worry of unwanted side effects. Thank you, Maxalt! Finally, migraine relief!"

• TLa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 15, 2020

For Migraine "Rizatriptan worked wonders for me. I had migraines with nausea, dizziness, numbness in my face, and pain down my neck. The first time I took it, I felt weird with heart palpitations, but the next time I took half, and I was fine. Now, when I feel a migraine coming, I take 1, and it's absolutely gone within 30 minutes. And I feel normal! Life saver!!!"

• Dia...
• January 20, 2013

Rizatriptan for Migraine "I have only experienced a handful of migraines as an adult (had them often as a child, but they ended with puberty), but frequency has increased to 3 within the last year. This was the first time I have had migraine medicine to take. The doctor gave me a few different samples - Maxalt 10 mg was the one I took. It was really AMAZING that within 5 minutes of taking it, the vice-like pain was gone. I did experience extreme fatigue, some nausea, diuresis (clammy & sweaty), and some muscle pain, but, to be honest, I just tried to sleep through most of it. I woke up about 2 hours later feeling better and able to function again. Next time, I will ask for a prescription for 5 mg, which may decrease the side effects."

• sal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 30, 2022

Rizatriptan for Migraine "Maxalt made me very, very ill. It was to replace Imitrex, which makes me ill too, but better than this any day! Dizzy, drowsy, nauseated, hot flashes, so tired I can't keep my eyes open and numb. My feet go numb and my hands. It's horrible, and the headache returns in about 5 hours. Do not recommend if you are sensitive to medications!"

• Anonymous
• September 5, 2012

Rizatriptan for Migraine "I have suffered from migraines since an auto accident in 2009, sometimes as many as 15 a month. I was prescribed Maxalt this past year (after trying a whole bag of other medicines). It has given me my life back... within thirty minutes after taking Maxalt, the symptoms decrease by 50% and are gone within an hour. Several side effects, very drowsy and increased nausea, but after several hours of sleep, all is good."

• Emm...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 31, 2022

For Migraine "I’ve used this medication for 10+ years, and it worked wonders until about a year ago. Now, when I take it, the pain and nausea intensify for about an hour, and my neck gets tight and stiff. It’s scary."

• Bro...
• February 12, 2018

Rizatriptan for Migraine "Maxalt is a lifesaver. I have been using this med for 7 years. Most times, I have to take 2 pills within 24 hours. My problem is I wait and hope my headache won't turn into a migraine. Then, when it is a migraine, I take the pill. By then, it takes hours for the migraine and aura to break. The side effects I can deal with: tiredness, mild nausea, and some dizziness. I recommend Maxalt to anyone who can benefit from it."

• 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."

• Add...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 6, 2019

For Migraine "Was diagnosed with vestibular migraine last year. Initially given sumatriptan but had horrible side effects. Was switched to rizatriptan and have had very good relief. I do not have classic aura, so I'm having a hard time recognizing the beginning stages of the migraine. My prodrome is confusion, pressure behind my right eye, increased loudness of tinnitus, anxiety, and poor balance with dizziness. Sometimes I have nausea but not always. If I take rizatriptan, it makes me sleepy, chilly feeling like I need a blanket, and my feet and hands tingle a bit. I take a tablet, and generally within 40 to 60 minutes the dizziness begins to subside. I'll doze off for 90 minutes or so and awaken alert again without the previously mentioned symptoms. I'm usually quiet for the first few hours after taking the med, then I'm back to myself. This medication has been a great help to me. I'm very grateful."

• tkl...
• September 4, 2019

For Migraine "I've had migraines for 30+ years, since I was a child. No med has ever stopped one, including hospital-injected opiates, and they last 3-5 days. NSAIDs and lots of ginger will reduce the pain a little. I've been trying rizatriptan for a few weeks, and it's promising! It doesn't 100% kill the migraine, but it greatly reduces it. That is absolutely a miracle for me. It is quite sedating, but that only lasts about 2 hours, and coffee helps (I don't think I would drive right after taking one). I do feel a bit tired the next day. Downside: it tastes so gross. Like cloyingly sweet toothpaste mixed with aspartame. Migraines make me nauseated, so I have to struggle to not throw up from the taste, but at least the meltable format means I can't throw it up as I often do with pills. I just wish the melts were unflavored and tasted like medicine. Also, aspartame is a known migraine trigger! I think that may be why it's only partially helpful for me. But overall, I'm hopeful."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 19, 2012

Rizatriptan for Migraine "I used to take the Maxalt in pill form, and these work 2x as fast. I took one today at the first sign of a headache, and it stopped it in its tracks in just under 15 minutes. The pill used to take 30, and often the headache had time to bloom and get bad by then. They didn't immediately get rid of the nausea I get, but it went away in about 20 min after it stopped the bloom. I rated these as a 9 because of the taste. They taste a bit like a peppermint candy that's gone bad, but it's bearable and only lasts for about 5 seconds. I usually wash the flavor away with coffee - I like to back up anything I take for a headache with a good dose of caffeine. These will be replacing my Maxalt pills, even if they do taste awful."

• Fin...
• December 29, 2009

Rizatriptan for Migraine "I've had headaches since I was little, but once I got to college, they progressed into intense migraines. I tried Imitrex and other various painkilling drugs without any relief. I am so thankful my doctor prescribed this drug. It's been the only lifesaving relief from my migraines, which include nausea, excruciating pain, sensitivity to light, sound, and motion, as well as dizziness. I take a Maxalt along with a 200 mg Celebrex and 2 extra strength Tylenol as soon as I can get to it when I feel the onset of a migraine. It works in about 30 minutes, sometimes a little longer if I wait too long to take it. Anyone who is suffering, I would strongly recommend talking to your doctor, as another wrote, 'Well worth the co-pay!'"

• Fra...
• January 4, 2017

Rizatriptan for Migraine "I am a 23-year-old male suffering from occasional (about once a month) migraine attacks, which are often accompanied by uncontrollable vomiting. My neurologist prescribed me this medicine, saying that it is the most advanced one currently available and made specifically for migraines. Unfortunately, after taking the medicine several times during various attacks, it had about as much effect as an aspirin and it did not stop the pain or the nausea. My mother, who suffers from more frequent and severe migraines than I do, got prescribed the same medicine, but it didn't help her either. I ended up switching to ketoprofen-based painkillers, which have been most effective for me, but don't work during the worst attacks."

• Mus...
• June 22, 2017

For Migraine "I call this my 'miracle drug.' I had been suffering from constant migraines since I was 9 years old. I am now 64. They used to tell my parents I was 'high-strung' and had 'tension headaches.' I was never diagnosed with migraine until I was about 48 years old. This is the ONLY drug that has ever stopped my migraine (of course... you have to take it immediately at the onset, as with all migraine meds). I had lost so many days of my life to the extreme pain/nausea and impaired vision/speech/general functionality before I discovered rizatriptan. Quite literally, I thank God for leading someone to develop this and for someone prescribing it for me."

• 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."

• Joe...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 6, 2018

For Migraine "I suffer from migraines with aura, and if I take the tablet when the aura kicks in, it reduces the pain quite a bit. No other medication has ever been able to reduce the pain like this does. I’ve noticed a few strange side effects, such as eating feels different, touching hot water, and sore eyes, and I suffer from an upset tummy and get nauseous, but that’s more likely the migraine."

• Oli...
• May 1, 2018

For Migraine "I was prescribed Maxalt some years ago for migraines. It worked like a charm and has worked ever since, just as long as I don't delay taking it. I've found that it works best once I know it's a migraine (rather than just a garden-variety headache) and/or when I start to feel a bit queasy. Then I lie down for a couple of hours, and when I get up: GONE. Not even a twinge of pain; no nausea. I keep it with me at all times. I know it doesn't work for everyone, but for me, it's been worth its weight in rubies."

• Anonymous
• November 8, 2011

Rizatriptan for Migraine "I started taking Maxalt after horrible experiences with Imitrex. I had almost all the same side effects: extreme nausea, dizziness, falling asleep, and a general out-of-it feeling the rest of the day. But the worst part is that it did absolutely nothing for my migraine. I am just glad that I had samples so I didn't get stuck paying for a prescription I would not use."

• Ela...
• October 30, 2018

For Migraine "Took away migraine almost immediately but absolutely knocked me out. I am very tolerant of being tired, so have never experienced anything like it, but I couldn’t even keep my eyes open about 20 minutes after I took it and fell asleep for a few hours at about 6 pm. I also felt dizzy and a little nauseous. But hey, no pain!"

• OSu...
• June 27, 2016

For Migraine "OMG! This stuff is a life changer! I suffer from migraines at least once or twice a week. Makes me feel a little nauseated for a few minutes, but within 20 minutes, my headache and nausea are gone. Now I have to figure out how to get more than my insurance will allow me to get in a month... They only allow 9 a month :-/ Way better than Imitrex!"

• 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."

• MBa...
• April 20, 2016

For Migraine "I use this medication to help my migraines. I used to take Relpax. I quit taking it because it was too expensive and the side effects were strong. I like this medication because my insurance covers most of it and it is very effective with little side effects. The only cons are the taste (a little minty, but the end has a bitter taste). I seem to get different side effects each time I take it (very mild, includes some drowsiness and nausea). Also, in my experience, you need to take this medication as soon as you feel the migraine coming on, or you may find yourself taking two or three pills during the migraine every two hours to keep it gone. Overall, I find it very cost-friendly and effective. I will continue using this medication."