Rizamelt (Rizatriptan 10mg)

Rizamelt general information

What is Rizamelt used for?

Rizamelt tablets 10mg are used to relieve acute migraine attacks with or without aura, which is the perception of visual disturbances and/or smells and is usually the first sign that a migraine headache is on its way.  Rizamelt-10 orodispersible (disintegrating) should only be used for treatment of a migraine attack to relieve headache and other symptoms, including nausea and sensitivity to light and noise, but they should not be used to prevent migraine headaches from occurring.  You can use Rizamelt tablets 10mg at any stage of a migraine attack but it is more effective if taken as soon as possible after the first signs of headache and/or aura.  Rizamelt tablets 10mg are not intended for the treatment of other types of headache, such as cluster headache, which is a very painful type of headache that occurs in regular cycles or clusters, interspersed with periods of remission.  Rizamelt-10 is not intended for the management of haemiplegic migraine, which can also cause temporary weakness of one side of the body and paralysis; or basilar migraine, which is another form of migraine and is caused by an arterial spasm at the base of the brain restricting blood flow to the brain.

How does Rizamelt work?

Rizamelt tablets 10mg contain rizatriptan, which is a member of the group of drugs called tryptans and is a serotonin agonist that mimics the action of serotonin (also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine, or 5-HT).  Serotonin is a brain chemical that is involved in control of mood, pain sensation, sexual behaviour, sleep, as well as dilation (widening) and constriction (narrowing) of blood vessels.  Migraine is thought to be caused by dilatation or widening of blood vessels in the head (intracranial vessels) due to one of many migraine triggers, which in turn stimulates nearby sensory trigeminal nerves, which release chemicals, causing pain and inflammation.  Rizatriptan in Rizamelt-10 stimulates the serotonin receptors in these expanded blood vessels making them narrow again (vasoconstriction) and inhibits trigeminal nerve activity and pain transmission, relieving pain.  Both actions are thought to contribute to the anti-migraine action of rizatriptan and relieve headache and other symptoms of a migraine attack.  Rizamelt tablets 10mg are effective in relieving the pain of migraine headache within 30 minutes of taking the orodispersible tablets. 

What does Rizamelt contain?

Rizamelt orodispersible tablets contain the active ingredient rizatriptan benzoate 10mg, a serotonin agonist used to relieve symptoms of a migraine attack.  They also contain colloidal anhydrous silica, crospovidone, mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, guar gum, aspartame and peppermint flavour.

Treating migraine headache with Rizamelt

Rizamelt orodispersible tablets 10mg contain rizatriptan, which is a serotonin agonist that mimics the action of serotonin.  They are used to relieve acute migraine attacks with or without aura, which is the perception of visual disturbances and/or smells called and is usually the first sign that a migraine headache is on its way.  Migraine is thought to be caused by dilatation or widening of blood vessels in the head due to one of many migraine triggers, which in turn stimulates nearby sensory nerves so that you feel pain.  Rizatriptan in Rizamelt orodispersible tablets 10mg stimulates the serotonin receptors in these expanded blood vessels making them narrow again (vasoconstriction) and inhibits trigeminal nerve activity, relieving pain.  Both actions are thought to contribute to the anti-migraine action of Rizatriptan in Rizamelt-10 to relieve headache and other symptoms of a migraine attack.  Rizamelt tablets 10mg relieve the headache and other symptoms of migraine, including nausea and sensitivity to light.  

What are the side effects of Rizamelt?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Rizamelt orodispersible tablets 10mg include: dizziness, drowsiness, sensory disturbance including, tingling, pricking, or numbness of the skin (paraesthesia), loss of sensitivity to pain or touch (hypoaesthesia), shortness of breath, sensations of heaviness, pain, sensations of heat or cold, pressure or tightness, weakness, fatigue, decrease mental acuity.

When should Rizamelt not be used?

You should not use Rizamelt tablets 10mg if you:

• are allergic to rizatriptan or any triptan like sumatriptan or any other ingredients in Rizamelt
• are pregnant or breastfeeding without discussion with your doctor
• have had myocardial infarction or have ischaemic heart disease, coronary vasospasm (Prinzmetal's angina), peripheral vascular disease, or a history of cerebovascular accident (CVA) or transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
• have liver disease or uncontrolled hypertension
• have basilar or haemiplegic migraine
• are using medicines that interact with Rizamelt, including: ergotamine or derivatives of ergotamine (including methysergide), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

What medications interact with Rizamelt?

The following medications interact with Rizamelt orodispersible tablets 10mg and should either not be taken while you are taking Rizamelt-10 or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor. 

• Ergot derivatives including methysergide (also for migraine headaches) should not be taken 24 hours before to 6 hours after dose of Rizamelt-10
• MAOI antidepressants should not be taken within 14 days of Rizamelt-10
• Other triptan serotonin agonist like sumatriptan
• Other serotonin agonist antidepressants like SSRIs; SNRIs.

How should Rizamelt be taken?

You can take Rizamelt orodispersible tablets 10mg at any stage of a migraine attack but it is more effective if taken as soon as possible after the first signs of headache and/or aura.  You should take your Rizamelt orodispersible tablets 10mg by placing a whole tablet under the tongue, where it will disintegrate and can be swallowed in the saliva.  You should take your Rizamelt orodispersible tablets 10mg without food, as food may delay its effectiveness.  If the first dose of Rizamelt tablets 10mg does not help your migraine, you should not take another dose for the same migraine, as it is unlikely that it will improve your headache.  If you have another migraine attack in the next 24 hours you can take another dose, but not within two hours of the first dose and you should not take more than 30mg within 24 hours. 

How should Rizamelt be stored?

You should store your Rizamelt orodispersible tablets 10mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.