Maxalt Dosage

For the treatment of a migraine headache once it has started, the usual Maxalt dosage is 5 mg or 10 mg. Maxalt is meant to be taken only during a migraine; it is not used for migraine prevention. The Maxalt dose your healthcare provider prescribes will vary depending on several factors, such as your response to Maxalt and other medications you may be taking. Maxalt comes in regular tablets or as an orally disintegrating tablet that quickly dissolves in the mouth. Do not take more than 30 mg of Maxalt tablets in a 24-hour period.

 

An Overview of Maxalt Dosage

The dose of Maxalt® (rizatriptan benzoate) your healthcare provider prescribes will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • Your response to Maxalt
  • Other medical conditions you may have
  • Other medications you may be currently taking.
     
As always, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 

Maxalt Dosing for Migraine Headaches

Maxalt is meant to be taken only during a migraine. The usual dosage of Maxalt for migraine headaches is Maxalt 5 mg or 10 mg. In general, the higher dose is more effective, but has more side effects. For people taking propranolol (Inderal®, Inderal LA®, InnoPran XL®), the Maxalt dose should not be more than 5 mg.
 

General Maxalt Dosage Information

Some considerations for people taking Maxalt include:
 
  • Maxalt is not meant to be taken on a daily basis. Take Maxalt only when you have a migraine.
     
  • Maxalt comes in regular tablets and as orally disintegrating tablets (MLTs) that quickly dissolve in the mouth. When opening the Maxalt MLT® tablets, peel back the foil lining of the blister. Do not try to push the tablet through the foil, as it is delicate and may crumble.
     
  • Maxalt should be taken as soon as possible once a migraine starts.
     
  • Swallow Maxalt tablets whole with a drink of water or other fluids. Each Maxalt MLT tablet should be placed on the tongue, where it will quickly be dissolved. Maxalt MLT tablets do not need to be taken with water.
     
  • If your healthcare provider instructs you to do so, you may take a second dose of Maxalt if your migraine does not go away after the first dose. However, you must wait at least two hours after the first dose before taking a second dose of Maxalt.
     
  • Do not take more than 30 mg of Maxalt tablets in a 24-hour period (or 15 mg in 24 hours if you are also taking propranolol).
     
  • Your Maxalt dosage can be taken with or without food.
     
  • For Maxalt to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed. Maxalt will not work if you take it other than how your healthcare provider prescribed it.
     
  • If you are unsure about anything related to Maxalt or your Maxalt dosing, please talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;