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Rizatriptan

Posted , 10 users are following.

Cindy59
Cindy59

I have been taking rizatriptan during a migraine attack but whilst it gives me some relief,  the migraine returns around 7-10 hours after , I take another and again, it gives some relief (perhaps less than the first time) but returns but can be a lot worse and so I then try and see it through without any medication . Does anyone else experience similar issues with this drug and should I try another triptan? I have tried zomitriptan in the past but it didn’t help.  

1 like, 37 replies

37 Replies

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  • patricia_82161
    patricia_82161 Cindy59

    Posted

    How often do you get migraines? Have you identified your triggers? Sounds like you might be having rebound headaches or the dosage is not sufficient. How many mgs is it? You might consider asking your doc to increase the dosage . I used Maxalt for many years with good success but then a new neurologist reduced the dosage, for whatever reason, and it stopped working for me. 10mg was what worked for me. Also be sure to take magnesium supplements as migraine sufferers are low on this crucial vitamin. Best to you. 
    • Cindy59
      Cindy59 patricia_82161

      Posted

      Hi,  I get migraines approx every 5-6 weeks which compared to  a lot of sufferers is not a lot but it is very debilitating and I spend at least 3 days in bed. I don’t have any triggers , no aura ., it just comes on gradually which I can

      manage for the first day but then it gets worse which is the time I then take the rizatriptan (10mg). Reading the tips in here I think I should take it when it first starts (although I think it could be a normal headache).  I also take magnesium supplements . I always thought the migraines were hormonal as they are cyclical . I am 59 and take HRT . 

    • wendy62425
      wendy62425 Cindy59

      Posted

      Hi Cindy

      yes!! Please take the Rizatriptan on the "onset" of a headache when you feel a headache coming on ....other wise if you wait and turns to migraine, most time the medication cannot work. This advice I s from my neurologist.  However you have to be careful not to take too many as you can get rebounding headaches as Chris can share with you. Some doctors say no more than 6 Rizatriptan a month some say no more than 9 in a month.  Sometimes if headache does not go away after a few hours after taking the Rizatriptan you can take one more but no more Than 2 in a 24 hour period.

    • wendy62425
      wendy62425 patricia_82161

      Posted

      Hi Patricia

      i wonder why your new doctor lowered the mg on the Maxalt which is also Rizatriptan.  My medication is Rizatriptan ODT 10 mg and 10 works well for me as well. I don't think less would knock out the migraine.......and that is what we all need to happen,

      Wendy

  • joolsb33
    joolsb33 Cindy59

    Posted

    Hi everyone, I have been suffering with chronic migraine for the last 3 years. I have no idea what started them off, but they are hell. Some of them have been so bad I’ve had the paramedics out as my husband thought I was having a stroke. To cut a long story short, after trying everything my GP prescribed with no success, I eventually did my own research and asked to be referred to the Migraine Clinic at UCLH in Queens Square, London. The first thing they made me do was a two week detox off ALL meds. All painkillers can cause medication overuse headache, that’s paracetamol, ibuprofen, anything. This was so tough, I migrained every single day for about 8 days. But the neurologist said this is an important first step as it gets you to your baseline of how many migraines you have naturally without the rebound headaches thrown in to the mix. I was then told to take Rizatriptan along with 600mg ibuprofen at the very start of a headache to blast it away, and to do this a maximum of twice in a 7 day period. This way the meds are much more effective. Along with this I am on 45mg of Mirtazapine as a preventative. I have been on this regime for 4 months so far and my migraines have reduced from 3 times a week to twice a month, and when I do get them the rizatriptan and ibuprofen combo is much more effective. The only fly in the ointment is that I had flu a couple of weeks ago and took ibuprofen every day to alleviate symptoms for about a week, and now I am unfortunately back to suffering medication overuse headaches on a daily basis. I am just beginning a two week total detox of meds to get back to my baseline again. Fingers crossed it works. I can honestly say I have felt suicidal at times with the chronic daily pain. I keep reading about this new preventative jab they are trying to get funded by NHS, wouldn’t that be a wonderful thing if it worked for us all xx

    • Cindy59
      Cindy59 joolsb33

      Posted

      Thanks Jools for this I will check with my GP to see if she is happy for me to take the ibuprofen  with the rizatriptan as I take omezprazole for Haiatus hernia so I try to avoid ibuprofen as much as possible.   
    • sandra666
      sandra666 joolsb33

      Posted

      Omg I feel the same so drain and frustrating to be sick every day with this Hemiplegic Migraines with Aura, I hate it...I do feel down too cause I'm so tired of drinking pills all the time, but hopefully I get to see a good neurologist here in the UK to get the right meds...

      Thank u for your information very helpful 🤔😄

  • joolsb33
    joolsb33 Cindy59

    Posted

    Oh, I forgot to add. I’ve tried the keto diet and felt great on it, although it didn’t help my migraines. My neurologist said research has proved that food plays no part in causing migraines.  Apparently the causes that have been proved are caffeine, alcohol, stress, eyesight, neck issues, dehydration, blood sugar. Those are the ones I can remember anyway. 
    • wendy62425
      wendy62425 joolsb33

      Posted

      Yes as well as changes in weather and barometer changes are a cause for migraines as well.......ugh. So important to drink lots of water.
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