A mouth-melting pill for migraines? Let's learn about Rizatriptan!

Do you also suffer from unbearable headaches when you have a migraine? There are times when you can't even do your daily activities and you have to stay in bed. Perhaps your doctor has prescribed a special pill that you can take in your mouth without water to quickly control this severe pain. Today we are going to talk about one such drug, Rizatriptan, which is used by many people.

What kind of medicine is Rizatriptan?

Simply put, Rizatriptan is a medication that is used to treat severe headaches and other symptoms (such as nausea, sensitivity to light and sound) that occur after a migraine attack. It belongs to a class of drugs called triptans.

This works in a very strange way. When a migraine occurs, some of the blood vessels in the brain dilate (widen) unnecessarily. Rizatriptan works by narrowing those blood vessels again, blocking the pain signals from reaching the brain. As a result, the pain decreases quickly.

Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine

Rizatriptan is not a one-size-fits-all medication. Therefore, it is important to tell your doctor about your complete health history before prescribing this medication. Be sure to tell them about any of the following conditions:

• If you are a smoker.
• If you have problems with blood circulation in your fingers and toes (such as numbness, paleness).
• If you have diabetes.
• If you have a history of heart disease or heart rhythm irregularities.
• If you have high blood pressure.
• If you have high blood cholesterol levels.
• If you have had a previous stroke.
• If you have kidney or liver disease.
• If you have an allergy to rizatriptan or any other medicine, food, or dye.
• If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
• If you are a mother who is breastfeeding.

Based on this information, your doctor will be able to decide whether this medicine is safe for you or not.

How exactly do I use this pill?

Since this is a tablet that dissolves in the mouth, the method of use is a little different. To get the most out of it, follow these steps.

1. Timing: Taking the pill as soon as your period pain starts will give you the best results. Don't wait until the pain is severe.

2. Preparation: Keep the pill in its sealed blister pack until you are ready to take it.

3. Hands: Open the package with dry hands and slowly remove the tablet. The tablet may melt if touched with wet hands.

4. Taking the tablet: Place the tablet on your tongue. It will dissolve in a few seconds. Then swallow with a little saliva. This does not require water.

5. Most important: Never cut, crush, or chew this tablet. Doing so may change the way the medicine works.

If you give it to children...

Doctors sometimes recommend this medicine for children over the age of 6. However, there are special precautions. So if you give this medicine to your child, follow the doctor's instructions exactly.

What happens if you take too much medicine?

If you think you have taken more medicine than you think, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital, or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) at the nearest hospital.

Other medications that may interact with the medication (Interactions)

Rizatriptan can interact with some other medications, so tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (prescription, over-the-counter, herbal, and vitamin).

Never take Rizatriptan with the following medications:

• Other migraine medications: Other triptans such as sumatriptan and naratriptan.
• Ergot alkaloids: Other medications used for migraines, such as Ergotamine and Dihydroergotamine.
• MAOIs: Medicines for depression such as Carbex, Marplan, and Nardil.

Problems can also occur with the following medications:

• Some medications for depression and anxiety.
• Propranolol (a medicine for high blood pressure and heart disease).

Things to be careful about when taking medicine

• Drowsiness and dizziness: Some people may feel drowsy or dizzy when taking this medication. Avoid activities that require alertness, such as driving or operating machinery, until you know how the medication affects you.
• Changing positions: Especially if you are older, avoid going from sitting to standing or from standing to sitting suddenly. This can help reduce the risk of dizziness and fainting.
• Dry mouth: You may experience a dry mouth. This can be controlled by chewing sugar-free gum and drinking plenty of water.
• Medication Overuse: This is very important. If you use migraine medication for more than 10 days a month, the medication itself can cause headaches. This is called a "Medication Overuse Headache." So, keep a diary of the days you have migraines and the days you take your medication. If you have frequent migraines, talk to your doctor.

Possible side effects

Like any medicine, Rizatriptan can cause side effects. Some of them are minor, while others can be serious.

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