Compare Maxalt vs. Cafergot
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Treats migraine headaches.
Maxalt (Rizatriptan) is great for relieving short migraines, but doesn't work as well for long-lasting headaches.
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3.8/ 5 average rating with 26 reviewsforMaxalt
Treats migraine headaches.
Cafergot (ergotamine / caffeine) can treat migraines, but you're more likely to have side effects.
Upsides
- 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.
- Cafergot (ergotamine / caffeine) works better than other medicines if your migraines usually last more than 2 days or if you have more frequent migraines.
Downsides
- 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.
- Cafergot (ergotamine / caffeine) can't stop migraines from happening. They can only treat them.
- Cafergot (ergotamine / caffeine) can only be used for migraines. It doesn't work for other types of headaches.
- Smoking or using products that contain nicotine can make Cafergot (ergotamine / caffeine) less effective.
Used for
- Migraine
- Vascular headache
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Dissolving tablet
- Pill
- Suppository
Price
Lowest price
$12.38
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$55.88
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Reviews
26 reviews so far
81%
saidit'sworth it
62%
saiditworked well
19%
saidit'sa big hassle
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Side effects
The Maxalt (Rizatriptan) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
The Cafergot (ergotamine / caffeine) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
Risks and risk factors
- 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)
- Heart and circulation problems
- Overdosing Cafergot (ergotamine / caffeine)
- Taking triptans (Imitrex, Axert, Maxalt, Amerge, Frova) for migraines
- Dependency and withdrawal
- Taking Cafergot (ergotamine / caffeine) regularly for months
- Danger to fetus