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As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with rizatriptan benzoate (Maxalt). However, not everyone who takes rizatriptan will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate rizatriptan well. When people do develop rizatriptan side effects, in most cases they are minor, meaning they require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider.
Common Rizatriptan Side Effects
Rizatriptan has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials. In these studies, the side effects that occur in a group of people taking the drug are documented and compared to the side effects that occur in another group of people not taking the medicine. Based on these studies, some of the most common side effects of rizatriptan include:
- Dizziness - up to 9 percent of people
- Drowsiness - up to 8 percent of people
- Fatigue or weakness - up to 7 percent of people
- Nausea - up to 6 percent of people
- Abnormal sensations such as tingling, burning, or pricking (paresthesia) - up to 4 percent of people
- Chest pain, including chest tightness, chest pressure, or chest heaviness - up to 3 percent of people
- Dry mouth - up to 3 percent of people
- Neck pain, jaw pain, or throat pain - up to 2 percent of people.
Side Effects of Rizatriptan to Report
There are a number of less common, but more serious, side effects with rizatriptan that you should report to your healthcare provider. These include but are not limited to:
- Severe chest pain or tightness
- Shortness of breath
- Sudden, severe abdominal pain (or stomach pain)
- Bloody diarrhea
- Changes in vision, including loss of vision
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
- Signs of an allergic reaction, including unexplained skin rashes, itching, hives, wheezing or shortness of breath, and unexplained swelling.
Taking rizatriptan with certain antidepressants can increase your risk of developing a dangerous group of symptoms called serotonin syndrome. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you have the following symptoms of serotonin syndrome:
- Confusion
- Hallucinations
- A fast heartbeat (tachycardia)
- Fainting
- A fever
- Sweating
- Muscle spasms
- Difficulty walking
- Diarrhea.
Rare Side Effects of Rizatriptan
There are other possible rizatriptan side effects that can occur. In previous studies, these rare side effects happened in 1 percent or less of patients taking rizatriptan. It is difficult to tell whether these side effects are because of rizatriptan or something else.
These rare side effects of rizatriptan include but are not limited to:
- Warm or cold sensations
- Sensation of a rapidly or forcefully beating heart (palpitations)
- Diarrhea or vomiting
- Shakiness (tremors)
- Flushing (redness of skin, especially the face)
- Hot flashes.
You may experience some or none of the rizatriptan side effects explained above. Unfortunately, there is no way for your healthcare provider to know beforehand if you will have side effects from a medicine that you have never tried. Therefore, be sure to let your healthcare provider know if you develop any side effects while taking rizatriptan. Also let your healthcare provider know if you develop something that "just does not seem right" during treatment with the drug. While it may not be a rizatriptan side effect, your healthcare provider will be able to diagnose and treat the problem.
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