Rizatriptan
MaxaltPubChem CID 5078 · 3D model
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Calms overactive nerve and blood vessel signaling in the brain that triggers migraine pain.
How it works
During a migraine, blood vessels around the brain widen and nerves release chemicals that cause throbbing pain and inflammation. Rizatriptan attaches to specific serotonin receptors that narrow those blood vessels back down and block the nerves from releasing more pain-triggering chemicals. This combination helps stop a migraine attack that has already started. It's taken as needed when an attack begins, not as a daily preventive medicine.
What it’s used for
Used to treat a migraine attack once it starts, including migraines with visual or sensory warning signs, in adults and children ages 6 and up. It's not used to prevent migraines from happening and isn't approved for rarer migraine types or cluster headaches.
- Mechanism
- Selective 5-HT1B/1D receptor agonist
- Drug class
- Small molecule
- Therapeutic area
- CNS / Neurology