MAXALT, MAXALT-MLT

What is this medication? Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT are prescription medications containing the active ingredient rizatriptan. They belong to a class of drugs known as triptans and are specifically used for the acute treatment of migraine headaches with or without aura in adults and children who are at least six years old. Maxalt is available as a standard tablet, while Maxalt-MLT is an orally disintegrating tablet that dissolves on the tongue without the need for water, making it a convenient option for patients who experience nausea or vomiting during a migraine attack.

These medications work by binding to serotonin receptors in the brain, which leads to the narrowing of swollen blood vessels and blocks the transmission of pain signals. This process helps relieve common migraine symptoms such as intense throbbing, sensitivity to light and sound, and nausea. It is important to note that Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT are intended only to treat a migraine attack that has already started; they are not used to prevent future migraines from occurring or to treat other types of headaches such as tension or cluster headaches.