You should not use this medicine if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart problems, a history of heart attack or stroke, or circulation problems that cause a lack of blood supply within the body.
Do not take rizatriptan within 24 hours before or after using another migraine headache medicine.
Do not use this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use rizatriptan if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
heart problems, or a stroke (including "mini-stroke");
coronary artery disease, angina (chest pain), blood circulation problems, lack of blood supply to the heart;
circulation problems affecting your legs, arms, stomach, intestines, or kidneys;
uncontrolled high blood pressure;
severe liver disease; or
a headache that seems different from your usual migraine headaches.
Do not use rizatriptan if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
liver or kidney disease;
heart problems, chest pain;
shortness of breath; or
risk factors for coronary artery disease (such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, menopause, smoking, a family history of coronary artery disease, being overweight, or being older than 40 and a man).
Be sure your doctor knows if you also take stimulant medicine, opioid medicine, herbal products, or medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. These medicines may interact with rizatriptan and cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.
Rizatriptan disintegrating tablets may contain phenylalanine. Tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Rizatriptan is not approved for use by anyone younger than 6 years old.
How should I use rizatriptan?
Take rizatriptan as soon as you notice headache symptoms. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
You may receive your first dose in a hospital or clinic setting to quickly treat any serious side effects.
Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.
Take the regular tablet whole with a full glass of water.
Remove an orally disintegrating tablet from the package only when you are ready to take the medicine. Place the tablet in your mouth and allow it to dissolve, without chewing. Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves.
After taking a tablet (for adults): If your headache does not completely go away, or goes away and comes back, take a second tablet 2 hours after the first. If your symptoms have not improved, contact your doctor before taking any more tablets.
After taking a tablet (for children ages 6 to 17): If your headache does not completely go away, or goes away and comes back, contact your doctor before taking any more tablets.
Never use more than your recommended dose. Overuse of migraine headache medicine can make headaches worse. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in treating your migraine attacks.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if you have more than 4 headaches in one month (30 days).
Rizatriptan can raise blood pressure to dangerous levels. Your blood pressure may need to be checked often while you are using  rizatriptan. If you use rizatriptan long-term, your heart function may need to be checked using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG).
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since rizatriptan is used when needed, it does not have a daily dosing schedule. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after using this medicine.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
