What Is Rizatriptan? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know in 2026

What Is Rizatriptan?

Rizatriptan is a prescription medication used to treat acute migraine headaches in adults and children ages 6 and older. It is sold under the brand names Maxalt (standard tablet) and Maxalt-MLT (orally disintegrating tablet). Generic versions of both forms are widely available.

Rizatriptan belongs to a class of drugs called triptans, or more specifically, selective serotonin (5-HT1B/1D) receptor agonists. It was first FDA-approved in 1998 and has been one of the most frequently prescribed acute migraine treatments in the United States for over two decades.

What Is Rizatriptan Used For?

Rizatriptan is FDA-approved for one indication: the

Rizatriptan is FDA-approved for one specific use: the acute (not preventive) treatment of migraine attacks with or without aura in adults and pediatric patients ages 6-17. This means it is taken at the onset of a migraine to stop the attack — it is not taken daily and does not prevent future migraines from occurring.

Important: Rizatriptan is

Rizatriptan is NOT approved for cluster headaches, hemiplegic or basilar migraine, or migraine prevention. It is also not an ordinary pain reliever and will not work for tension headaches or other types of pain.

What Does Rizatriptan Look Like and How Does It Come?

Rizatriptan is available in two formulations:

Standard tablet (5 mg, 10 mg): Pale pink, capsule-shaped tablet; swallowed with water. Brand-name Maxalt 10 mg tablets are marked "MAXALT" and "MRK 267."

Orally disintegrating tablet — ODT (5 mg, 10 mg): White, round tablet that dissolves on the tongue without water; peppermint-flavored. Ideal for patients with nausea or who can't swallow during a migraine. Contains aspartame/phenylalanine — not appropriate for patients with PKU.

How to Take Rizatriptan

Take it at the first sign of headache pain. Even if you notice an aura, wait until the headache pain begins before taking rizatriptan. Do not take it during the aura phase before pain starts.

Standard dose for adults: 5 mg or 10 mg as a single dose. The 10 mg dose tends to be more effective but may have more side effects. Your doctor will determine the right dose for you.

If the headache comes back: You may take a second dose at least 2 hours after the first dose. Do not take a second dose if the first dose gave no relief at all — call your doctor instead.

Maximum daily dose: 30 mg in any 24-hour period (three 10 mg doses). For patients on propranolol, maximum is 15 mg per 24 hours.

Usage limit: Do not treat more than 4 migraines per 30-day period. More frequent use can lead to medication overuse headache.

Dosing for Children (Ages 6-17)

Children weighing less than 40 kg (88 lbs): 5 mg as a single dose

Children weighing 40 kg (88 lbs) or more: 10 mg as a single dose

Safety of more than one dose in 24 hours has not been established in pediatric patients

What Conditions Prevent You From Taking Rizatriptan?

Rizatriptan is NOT safe for everyone. You should NOT take rizatriptan if you have:

Coronary artery disease (CAD), angina, or history of heart attack

History of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA, or "mini-stroke")

Uncontrolled high blood pressure

Peripheral vascular disease (poor circulation in limbs)

Used an MAO inhibitor (MAOI) in the past 14 days

Taken another triptan or ergot drug in the past 24 hours

Is Rizatriptan a Controlled Substance?

No. Rizatriptan is not a controlled substance. It has no DEA schedule and does not have a risk of addiction or physical dependence. You can fill a rizatriptan prescription without special limitations that apply to scheduled drugs. However, it is a prescription-only medication — you need a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider to obtain it.

How Much Does Rizatriptan Cost?

Retail cash price for 9 tablets of generic rizatriptan 10 mg is approximately $150-$160 without a discount. With a GoodRx or SingleCare coupon, the price drops to as low as $7-$13 for 9 tablets. With insurance, generic rizatriptan is typically covered at a $10-$30 copay. For the full savings guide, see: How to Save Money on Rizatriptan in 2026

If you have a valid prescription and need to locate rizatriptan at a pharmacy near you, medfinder can call local pharmacies to check inventory and get you results by text.