Compare Amerge vs. Maxalt
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Treats migraine headaches.
Amerge (naratriptan) isn't as good as other similar medications for migraines, but can be good if other drugs haven't worked for you.
Treats migraine headaches.
Maxalt (Rizatriptan) is great for relieving short migraines, but doesn't work as well for long-lasting headaches.
●●●●●
3.8/ 5 average rating with 26 reviewsforMaxalt
Upsides
- Amerge (naratriptan) is a good alternative to other triptans since it's less likely to cause side effects and if other triptans haven't worked for you.
- Available as a generic, which makes it cheaper than other medicines and is more likely to be covered by insurances.
- Amerge (naratriptan) comes in two different strengths.
- Triptans like Maxalt (Rizatriptan) are considered the first-choice treatment to relieve moderate to severe migraine-type headaches.
- It can also be used to treat tension-type headaches.
- Not all triptans work the same way for people, so you can try multiple ones to find the right medication for you.
- You don't need to drink water with the orally disintegrating tablet for it to work, so this could be a good medication for people who can't keep water down when they have a migraine.
Downsides
- Amerge (naratriptan) is only available as a pill that must be swallowed, so it might not be good if you have trouble swallowing when you have a migraine.
- Unlike other migraine medications, you have to wait for 4 hours before you can take the second dose of Amerge (naratriptan).
- Amerge (naratriptan) is not as good as other medications for treating nausea that can happen with migraines.
- Maxalt (Rizatriptan) doesn’t prevent migraines or tension headaches, but only works once the headache starts.
- It can cause rebound headaches if it’s used too often.
- You need to wait at least 2 hours after your first dose to take a second dose.
- May not be the best choice if you have long, drawn-out headaches. Ask your doctor about other triptans that can last longer than Maxalt (Rizatriptan).
- Not a good choice if you have heart disease or if you’re pregnant or breast-feeding.
Used for
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Pill
- Dissolving tablet
Price
Lowest price
$20.89
Find instant savings near youLowest price
$13.99
Find instant savings near youWant to save even more money?
Sign up now for a 30-day trial and save up to 95% at CVS, Kroger, Albertsons, and other pharmacies.
Learn more
Reviews
Not enough review data.Leave a review
26 reviews so far
81%
saidit'sworth it
62%
saiditworked well
19%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Maxalt (Rizatriptan)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
6possible side effects
- Stomach problems6%
- Nausea4%
- Nervous system issues4%
- Unusual sensation2%
- Fatigue or uneasiness2%
- Pain and pressure sensation2%
The Maxalt (Rizatriptan) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
Risks and risk factors
- Heart attack
- Heart disease
- history of chest pain/angina
- uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Stroke
- History of a stroke
- Medication overuse headache
- Using Amerge (naratriptan) for more than 10 days a month
- Serotonin syndrome
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Fentanyl
- Tramadol
- Buspirone
- ADHD medicines
- Triptans
- Increased blood pressure
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Blood vessel issues
- High blood pressure
- history of stroke
- History of clots in the legs or arms (DVT)
- Tightening of blood vessels (myocardial angina, ischemia, or infarction)
- History of heart problems
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Being overweight or obese
- Smoking
- Stroke
- History of heart problems
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Being overweight or obese
- Smoking
- Stomach bleeding
- Serotonin syndrome
- Patients taking SSRIs and SNRIs
- High blood pressure
- History of high blood pressure
- Seizures
- History of seizures
- Phenylketonuria (PKU)
- Phenylketonuria (PKU)