Maxalt tablets contain the active ingredient rizatriptan, which is a type of medicine commonly known as a ‘triptan’. It is a painkiller specifically used to relieve migraine attacks.
Maxalt Melt is an easily accessible treatment for any adult suffering with migraines. One in five women and almost one in ten men suffer with migraines, and there are over 190,000 migraine attacks in the UK every day.
What’s on this page:
What cause migraines?
The exact cause of migraines is not yet known, but it is thought that migraines are the result of abnormal brain activity which temporarily alters nerve signals, chemicals and blood vessels in the brain.
There might also be some triggers that can make the attakcs worse. There are many possible migraine triggers that have been suggested, including hormonal, emotional, physical, dietary, environmental and medical factors. These triggers are very individual but it may help to keep a diary to see if you can identify a consistent trigger.
Migraine symptoms can last anywhere between four hours and up to three days in very severe instances. If you have had a particularly bad migraine you might feel very tired afterwards, so it’s important to get plenty of rest.
Symptoms often associated with a migraine include:
- feeling nauseous
- being sick
- sensitivity to light or sound (this is why lots of migraine sufferers like to rest in a dark and quiet room)
- Migraine sufferers may occasionally experience other symptoms such as:
- poor concentration
- feeling either very hot or very cold
- stomach pain
- diarrhoea
It is really important to identify the type of headache you have so you can get the right sort of treatment and advice. A headache can be the result of a whole variety of factors such as head injuries, infections and other medical conditions.
How does Maxalt Melt work?
Maxalt and Maxalt Melt tablets both contain the active ingredient rizatriptan, which is a type of medicine called a serotonin (or 5HT) agonist. This type of medicine is also commonly known as a ‘triptan’. It is a painkiller specifically used to relieve migraine attacks.
Although the cause of migraine attacks is not fully understood, it is thought that widening of blood vessels in the brain causes the throbbing pain of migraine headaches. Rizatriptan relieves this pain by causing the blood vessels in the brain to narrow.
Rizatriptan works by stimulating receptors called serotonin (or 5HT) receptors that are found in the brain. A natural substance called serotonin normally acts on these receptors, causing blood vessels in the brain to narrow. Rizatriptan mimics this action of serotonin by directly stimulating the serotonin receptors in the brain. This narrows the blood vessels and so relieves the pain of migraine headaches.
Can I buy Maxalt Melt online in the UK?
Yes, it is possible to purchase this drug online after a quick consultation on chat or a phone. Maxalt is not prescription free and therefore you must always have a prescription from your doctor to start the treatment.
Never start such treatment without talking to a doctor, and do not buy this medicine online from pages that do not require a doctor’s consultation. These are unauthorized online pharmacies and can sell fake versions of the drug.
If you are fit for the treatment, you will receive it directly by mail from an approved pharmacy in the UK.
How to use this medicine?
Always use this medicine as prescribed by your doctor for optimal results of the treatment, if unsure contact your doctor or pharmacist for further questions. Here we have listed some of the most common groundlines for usage of this medicine. If instructed differently from your doctor look past these guidelines.
The most common usage includes:
- should be taken as soon as possible after your migraine headache has started( It should not be taken during the aura, or warning phase that can occur before a migraine headache, as the safety and effectiveness of the medicine have not been established during this period, and the medicine will not prevent the headache.)
- Maxalt melt tablets are designed to melt on the tongue in your saliva so they can be taken without needing a drink of water.
- This medicine should preferably be taken on an empty stomach
- if the first dose of this medicine doesn’t relieve your migraine headache then you should NOT take another dose for the same attack
- If the first dose does initially relieve your migraine, but the headache then comes back, you can take a second dose. However, if you need a second dose because your migraine has returned, you should NOT take it within two hours of your first dose. Do not take more than two doses in 24 hours.
- Do not exceed the recommended dose.
Side effects
Like with all medicines, this medicine can come with some side effects, although it might not affect everyone, it’s important to know about the possible side effects that might occur.
The most common side effects include:
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Feeling weak or fatigued
- Pins and needles, tingling or numb sensations
- Difficulty concentrating
- Neck pain
- Feeling of tightness or heaviness in the throat or chest (see important information above)
- Flushing
- Chest pain (see important information above)
- Awareness of your heartbeat (palpitations)
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
If you get any side effects, report to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This include any possible side effects not listed above.
Maxalt-melt contraindications
In order to ensure the safety of this treatment, always make sure to disclose all the relevant info to your doctor and this includes other medicines you might be taking at the moment and other medical conditions that you might be affected by.
Hypersensitivity to the medicine is a contraindication. In addition, this cream should not be used if you have the following:
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- This medicine is not recommended for children and adolescents aged under 18 years, or people aged over 65 years, as there is no information available regarding its safety and effectiveness in these age groups
- Maxalt tablets contain lactose and should not be taken by people with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance
- Have had a stroke
- High blood pressure
- People with severely decreased kidney or liver function.
- Heart attack
Consult a doctor on the use of the medicine if you have a health condition that is not listed above, are taking medication, smoke cigarettes or are older than 40 years of age.
