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Rizatriptan Dosage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 30, 2022.

Applies to the following strengths: 5 mg; 10 mg

Usual Adult Dose for:

Usual Pediatric Dose for:

Additional dosage information:

Usual Adult Dose for Migraine

Use only after a clear diagnosis of migraine has been established

Initial dose: 5 mg or 10 mg orally, once

  • Provided there has been a response to first dose, a second dose may be administered at least 2 hours later if migraine returns
Maximum dose: 30 mg in a 24-hour period

Comments:
  • The 10 mg dose may provide greater effect, however there may be a greater risk of adverse reactions.
  • This drug should not be used to treat basilar or hemiplegic migraines because these patients are at a greater risk of stroke.
  • The safety of treating an average of 4 or more migraine attacks in a 30-day period has not been established; the effectiveness of a second dose or subsequent doses has not been established in placebo-controlled trials.

Use: For the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Migraine

Use only after a clear diagnosis of migraine has been established

6 years or older and weight less than 40 kg:

  • Initial dose: 5 mg orally once

6 years or older and weight 40 kg or greater:
  • Initial dose: 10 mg orally once

Maximum: 1 dose in any 24-hour period

Comments:
  • This drug should not be used to treat basilar or hemiplegic migraines because these patients are at a greater risk of stroke.
  • The safety of treating an average of 4 or more migraine attacks in a 30-day period has not been established; the safety and effectiveness of more than 1 dose within 24 hours has not been established.

Use: For the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in patients 6 years or older.

Renal Dose Adjustments

No adjustment recommended

Liver Dose Adjustments

Use with caution; dose adjustment may be considered in patients with severe hepatic impairment, however, no specific guidelines have been suggested

Dose Adjustments

CONCOMITANT USE WITH PROPRANOLOL:
Adults:

  • Initial dose: 5 mg orally once
  • Maximum dose: 3 doses (15 mg) in any 24-hour period
Pediatrics:
  • Weight less than 40 kg: Use is not recommended
  • Weight 40 kg or greater: Maximum dose: 5 mg in any 24-hour period

ELDERLY: Dose selection should be cautious, generally starting at the low end of the dosing range.

Precautions

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

  • Hypersensitivity to active substance or any product ingredients (angioedema and anaphylaxis seen)
  • Uncontrolled hypertension
  • Ischemic coronary artery disease (angina pectoris, history of myocardial infarction, or documented silent ischemia), or other significant underlying cardiovascular disease
  • Coronary artery vasospasm including Prinzmetal's angina
  • History of stroke or transient ischemic attacks
  • Peripheral vascular disease
  • Ischemic bowel disease
  • Recent use (within 24 hours) of another 5-HT1 agonist (e.g., another triptan), ergotamine-containing medication, or ergot-type medication (such as dihydroergotamine or methysergide)
  • Concurrent or recent (past 2 weeks) use of MAO-A inhibitors
  • Hemiplegic or basilar migraine

Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 6 years.

Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions

Dialysis

Data not available

Other Comments

Administration advice:
Oral tablets:

  • Take orally with or without food

Orally Disintegrating Tablets (ODT):
  • Remove ODT from foil pouch at time of use
  • Peel open blister pack with dry hands and place ODT on tongue; do not push tablet through the blister
  • ODT will dissolve on tongue and can be swallowed with saliva, no additional liquid is needed

General:
  • This drug should be used only where a clear diagnosis of migraine has been established; if a patient does not respond to first dose, the diagnosis of migraine should be reconsidered before treating subsequent attacks.
  • This drug is not intended to treat cluster headaches, hemiplegic, or basilar migraines, or for the prophylactic treatment of migraines.
  • For patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors, a cardiovascular evaluation should be performed prior to initiating therapy; for patients who have satisfactorily completed a cardiovascular evaluation, consider administering first dose in a medically supervised setting and performing an ECG immediately following administration.
  • Medication overuse headaches may present as migraine-like headaches or as a marked increase in migraine frequency; for patients using acute migraine medications (e.g. ergotamine, triptans, opioids) for 10 or more days per month consider withdrawal of the overused drugs and treatment of withdrawal symptoms.

Monitoring:
  • ECG monitoring should be considered in the interval following the first dose in patients with risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD) who have satisfactorily completed a cardiovascular evaluation, consider periodic cardiovascular evaluation in intermittent long-term users with cardiovascular risk factors
  • Monitor blood pressure
  • Monitor for serotonin syndrome; if concomitant use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are necessary, monitor closely when starting therapy or with a new or increased dose of a serotonergic medication

Patient advice:
  • Patients should be instructed to read the US FDA-approved patient labeling (Patient Information).
  • Phenylketonurics should be aware that the orally disintegrating tablets contain phenylalanine.
  • Patients should be advised to talk with their doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medications or supplements.
  • Patients should be aware of the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects and the importance of seeking medical advice promptly if they occur.
  • Patients experiencing no relief from a first dose of this medication should be instructed not to take a second dose without first talking to their healthcare provider.
  • Patients should be informed of the possibility of developing medication overuse headaches.
  • This drug may impair judgment, thinking, or motor skills; have patient avoid driving or operating machinery until adverse effects are determined.
  • Advise patient to speak to physician or health care professional if pregnant, intend to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

Frequently asked questions

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.