Compare Maxalt vs. Onzetra
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.
Onzetra (sumatriptan) is the only medicine that's available in a breath-powered nose powder to treat migraines. However, it can be expensive compared to other medicines.
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.
- Compared to pills, Onzetra (sumatriptan) is better absorbed in the body and good if it's hard to take pills.
- Onzetra (sumatriptan) is a first choice medicine to treat migraines.
- There is a copay program available that can make Onzetra (sumatriptan) cheaper.
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.
- It can be very expensive. There are other forms of this same medicine that are much cheaper, including a nose spray.
- You have to use two nosepieces to get the full dose of Onzetra (sumatriptan), which can be hard to remember.
- Onzetra (sumatriptan) is only available in one strength.
Used for
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Dissolving tablet
- Nasal powder
Price
Lowest price
$12.38
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$12.71
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Reviews
26 reviews so far
81%
saidit'sworth it
62%
saiditworked well
19%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Maxalt (Rizatriptan)?
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Side effects
The Maxalt (Rizatriptan) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
4possible side effects
- Changes in taste20%
- Discomfort in the nose11%
- Runny nose5%
- Stuffy nose2%
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 attack
- Heart disease
- History of chest pain
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Stroke
- History of a stroke
- Medication overuse headache
- Using Onzetra (sumatriptan) for more than 10 days a month
- Serotonin syndrome
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Fentanyl
- Tramadol
- Buspirone
- ADHD medicines
- Triptans
- Higher blood pressure
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Suicidal behavior
- Taking medicines for seizures
- Blood vessel issues
- High blood pressure
- History of stroke