MAXATAN

What it is

MAXATAN contains rizatriptan benzoate 14.53 mg (corresponding to 10 mg of rizatriptan) in orally disintegrating tablets. The tablets are white, round, flat, bevel-edged tablets engraved with "IZ 10" on one side and plain on the other side. The tablets also contain aspartame.

Approved indications

— Acute treatment of migraine attacks with or without aura.

Dosing overview

The recommended dose is 10 mg, which clinical experience has shown provides optimal clinical benefit. Onset of relief can occur within 30 minutes after dosing. Doses should be separated by at least 2 hours; no more than 30 mg should be taken in any 24-hour period. If headache returns after relief of the initial attack, further doses may be taken, provided the above dosing limits are observed. Plasma concentrations of rizatriptan may be increased by concomitant administration of propranolol, making the 10 mg dose inappropriate for these patients. The physician should consider alternative therapies, such as other 5-HT1B/1D agonists that do not have this drug interaction.

Key safety warnings

Rizatriptan should only be administered to patients in whom a clear diagnosis of migraine has been established. Rizatriptan should not be administered to patients with basilar or hemiplegic migraine. Rizatriptan should not be used to treat atypical headaches that might be associated with potentially serious medical conditions such as stroke or ruptured aneurysm. There have been rare reports of serious coronary events with this class of drugs including rizatriptan. Prior to prescribing this drug, cardiovascular assessment should be considered in patients at risk for coronary artery disease, including those with hypertension, diabetics, smokers, and those with strong family history for coronary artery disease. Other 5-HT1B/1D agonists should not be used concomitantly with rizatriptan. Administration of ergotamine-type medications and rizatriptan within 6 hours of each other is not recommended. Cases of life-threatening serotonin syndrome have been reported during combined use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and triptans. If concomitant treatment with rizatriptan and an SSRI or SNRI is clinically warranted, careful observation of the patient is advised, particularly during treatment initiation and dose increases. Overuse of acute migraine drugs may lead to exacerbation of headache, presenting as migraine-like daily headaches or as a marked increase in frequency of migraine attacks.

Contraindications

MAXATAN is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to rizatriptan or any of the ingredients, and in patients receiving concurrent monoamine oxidase inhibitors or within 2 weeks of discontinuation of monoamine oxidase inhibitor therapy. Based on the mechanism of action of this class of compounds, MAXATAN is also contraindicated in patients with uncontrolled hypertension or established coronary artery disease, including ischemic heart disease (angina pectoris, history of myocardial infarction, or documented silent ischemia), signs and symptoms of ischemic heart disease, or Prinzmetal's angina. MAXATAN is contraindicated in patients with history of stroke or transient ischemic attack. MAXATAN is contraindicated in patients with peripheral vascular disease, including ischemic bowel disease.

Regulatory history

MAXATAN rizatriptan 10 mg orally disintegrating tablets were first listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods on 20 March 2015. The product information was last revised on 24 April 2025.