What kind of drug is rizatriptan benzoate?

The FDA classifies rizatriptan benzoate as a serotonin-1b and serotonin-1d receptor agonist. These migraine drugs (triptans) switch on serotonin 5-HT1B/1D receptors: they tighten the dilated blood vessels around the brain and quiet the trigeminal nerve pathway, blocking the release of pain-signaling molecules that drive a migraine attack. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.

Can you take rizatriptan benzoate with other medicines?

It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run rizatriptan benzoate against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.

What brand names is rizatriptan benzoate sold under?

We track 4 rizatriptan benzoate-containing products in the U.S.: Maxalt, Maxalt-Mlt, Rizatriptan Benzoate and Rizafilm. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

What forms does rizatriptan benzoate come in?

Across the brands we track, rizatriptan benzoate is currently marketed as tablet, tablet, orally disintegrating and film, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Is there a generic rizatriptan benzoate?

Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic rizatriptan benzoate product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.

Has rizatriptan benzoate been recalled?

The FDA's Enforcement database lists at least 5 recall records whose product description mentions rizatriptan benzoate. The most recent: Rizatriptan Benzoate Tablets (Jul 9, 2025). A recall applies to specific lots, not to the drug as a whole — check the record for the affected lot numbers.

Rizatriptan Benzoate: uses, dosing, side effects & brands

Rizatriptan Benzoate is a serotonin-1b and serotonin-1d receptor agonist sold in the U.S. under 4 brand and generic names, for migraine disorders. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.

By the pharmaranks editorial teamReviewed against the FDA (openFDA label, NDC Directory & Enforcement) sourcesHow we research

Key facts

Drug class: Serotonin-1b and Serotonin-1d Receptor Agonist
Treats: Migraine Disorders
Available as: Tablet · Tablet, orally disintegrating · Film
Sold as: 4 products — Maxalt, Maxalt-Mlt and Rizatriptan Benzoate, and others
Prescription?: Prescription only
Generic available?: Yes

How rizatriptan benzoate is dosed

From the FDA label for Maxalt (application NDA020864). Other rizatriptan benzoate products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.

Although rizatriptan benzoate 5 mg tablets and orally disintegrating tablets are available in the marketplace, MAXALT Tablets and MAXALT-MLT Orally Disintegrating Tablets are no longer marketed in the 5 mg strength. Adults: 5 or 10 mg single dose; separate repeat doses by at least two hours; maximum dose in a 24-hour period: 30 mg ( 2.1 ) Pediatric patients 6 to 17 years: 5 mg single dose in patients less than 40 kg (88 lb); 10 mg single dose in patients 40 kg (88 lb) or more ( 2.2 ) Adjust dose if co-administered with propranolol ( 2.4 ) 2.1 Dosing Information in Adults The recommended starting dose of rizatriptan benzoate is either 5 mg or 10 mg for the acute treatment of migraines in adults. The 10-mg dose may provide a greater effect than the 5-mg dose, but may have a greater risk of adverse reactions [see Clinical Studies (14.1) ] . Redosing in Adults Although the effectiveness of a second dose or subsequent doses has not been established in placebo-controlled trials, if the migraine headache returns, a second dose may be administered 2 hours after the first dose. The maximum daily dose should not exceed 30 mg in any 24-hour period. The safety of treating, on average, more than four headaches in a 30-day period has not been established. 2.2 Dosing Information in Pediatric Patients (Age 6 to 17 Years) Dosing in pediatric patients is based on the patient's body weight. The…

Rizatriptan Benzoate side effects

The following adverse reactions are discussed in more detail in other sections of the labeling: Myocardial Ischemia, Myocardial Infarction, and Prinzmetal's Angina [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Arrhythmias [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ]. Chest, Throat, Neck and/or Jaw Pain/Tightness/Pressure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] . Cerebrovascular Events [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] . Other Vasospasm Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] . Medication Overuse Headache [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] . Serotonin Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] . Increase in Blood Pressure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] . The most common adverse reactions in adults were (incidence ≥5% and greater than placebo): asthenia/fatigue, somnolence, pain/pressure sensation and dizziness ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Organon LLC, a subsidiary of Organon & Co., at 1-844-674-3200 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Adults Incidence in Controlled Clinical Trials Adverse reactions to MAXALT were assessed in…

Every rizatriptan benzoate product we track (4)

Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.

Rizatriptan Benzoate products
#	Drug	Rating	Type	Form	Generic?	Typical price
1	Maxalt	70/100	Prescription	Tablet	—	—	View →
2	Maxalt-Mlt	70/100	Prescription	Tablet	—	—

What rizatriptan benzoate pills look like

Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.

Rizatriptan Benzoate pill imprints
Imprint	Strength	Colour	Shape	Maker
RZ5	5 mg	white	rectangle	—
RIZA10	10 mg	white	rectangle	—
L59	10 mg	white	round	—
IG;462	5 mg	pink	oval	—
X;14	10 mg	pink	round	—
CL34	10 mg

Combination products containing rizatriptan benzoate

A combination is a different drug — different dosing, different warnings. It is listed here so you can find it, not so you can substitute it.

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Rizatriptan Benzoate recalls

From the FDA Enforcement database. A recall covers specific lots — not the drug as a whole.

Frequently asked questions

What is rizatriptan benzoate?: MAXALT contains rizatriptan benzoate, a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine 1B/1D (5-HT 1B/1D ) receptor agonist. Rizatriptan benzoate is described chemically as: N,N -dimethyl-5-(1 H -1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)-1 H -indole-3-ethanamine monobenzoate and its structural formula is: Its empirical formula is C 15 H 19 N 5 •C 7 H 6 O 2 , representing a molecular weight of the free base of 269.4. Rizatriptan benzoate is a white to off-white, crystalline solid that is soluble in water at about 42 mg per mL (expressed as free base) at 25°C. MAXALT Tablets and MAXALT-MLT Orally Disintegrating Tablets are available for oral administration in a strength of 10 mg (corresponding to 14.53 mg of the benzoate salt). Each compressed tablet contains the following inactive ingredients: lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized starch, ferric oxide (red), and magnesium stearate. Each lyophilized orally disintegrating tablet contains the following inactive ingredients: gelatin, mannitol, glycine, aspartame, and peppermint flavor. image of rizatriptan benzoate Chemical Structure
What kind of drug is rizatriptan benzoate?: The FDA classifies rizatriptan benzoate as a serotonin-1b and serotonin-1d receptor agonist. These migraine drugs (triptans) switch on serotonin 5-HT1B/1D receptors: they tighten the dilated blood vessels around the brain and quiet the trigeminal nerve pathway, blocking the release of pain-signaling molecules that drive a migraine attack. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.
Can you take rizatriptan benzoate with other medicines?: It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run rizatriptan benzoate against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is rizatriptan benzoate sold under?: We track 4 rizatriptan benzoate-containing products in the U.S.: Maxalt, Maxalt-Mlt, Rizatriptan Benzoate and Rizafilm. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.