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MigraineTwo labels compared

Imitrex vs Maxalt

Imitrex and Maxalt are the two triptans on these pages: the same class, the same job of stopping an attack, near-identical warnings, and both long available as inexpensive generics. The labels differ where few people look: Maxalt covers children aged 6 to 17, Imitrex does not. This page compares the two documents.

Imitrex tablets

Ingredient
Sumatriptan
Approved for
Acute treatment of migrainecovers migraine
Supply
Prescription
Boxed warning
None
Pharmacy cost
$72.40 per tablet, capsule or pen, brandwhat pharmacies pay to buy it, not the price at the counter
GlaxoSmithKline LLC. Label version 24, effective 9 December 2025.

Maxalt

Ingredient
Rizatriptan
Approved for
Acute treatment of migrainecovers migraine
Supply
Prescription
Boxed warning
None
Pharmacy cost
$44.39 per tablet, capsule or pen, brandwhat pharmacies pay to buy it, not the price at the counter
Organon LLC. Label version 4, effective 29 January 2026.
01From the FDA label

Side by side, straight from the labels

Generated from the two source labels, not typed out by hand, so it cannot drift from what the regulator approved. Rows where both labels say exactly the same thing are marked.

Active ingredientImitrex tabletsSumatriptanSerotonin 5-HT1B/1D receptor agonist (triptan)MaxaltRizatriptanSerotonin 5-HT1B/1D receptor agonist (triptan)
Approved forsame in bothImitrex tabletsAcute treatment of migraineMaxaltAcute treatment of migraine
Supplysame in bothImitrex tabletsPrescriptionMaxaltPrescription
What pharmacies payAcquisition cost, not retailImitrex tablets$72.40 per tablet, capsule or pen, brandMaxalt$44.39 per tablet, capsule or pen, brand
Boxed warningsame in bothImitrex tabletsNoneMaxaltNone
What the FDA approved it forImitrex tablets
  • Safety and effectiveness of IMITREX tablets have not been established for cluster headache. IMITREX is a serotonin (5-HT 1B/1D) receptor agonist (triptan) indicated for acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults.
  • Use only if a clear diagnosis of migraine headache has been established.
  • Not indicated for the prophylactic therapy of migraine attacks.
  • Not indicated for the treatment of cluster headache.
Maxalt
  • Limitations of Use MAXALT should only be used where a clear diagnosis of migraine has been established.
  • If a patient has no response for the first migraine attack treated with MAXALT, the diagnosis of migraine should be reconsidered before MAXALT is administered to treat any subsequent attacks.
  • MAXALT is not indicated for use in the management of hemiplegic or basilar migraine.
  • MAXALT is not indicated for the prevention of migraine attacks.
  • Safety and effectiveness of MAXALT have not been established for cluster headache.
  • MAXALT is a serotonin (5-HT) 1B/1D receptor agonist (triptan) indicated for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults and in pediatric patients 6 to 17 years of age
Forms and strengthsImitrex tablets
  • 25-mg Tablets: White, triangular-shaped, film-coated, and debossed with "I" on one side and "25" on the other.
  • Each tablet contains 70 mg of sumatriptan succinate equivalent to 50 mg of sumatriptan. 100-mg Tablets: Pink, triangular-shaped, film-coated, and debossed with "IMITREX 100" on one side and a chevron shape (^) on the other.
  • Each tablet contains 140 mg of sumatriptan succinate equivalent to 100 mg of sumatriptan.
  • Tablets: 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg
Maxalt
  • MAXALT Tablets: 10 mg
  • MAXALT-MLT Orally Disintegrating Tablets: 10 mg
  • MAXALT Tablets 10 mg tablets are pale pink, capsule-shaped, compressed tablets coded MAXALT on one side and MRK 267 on the other.
  • MAXALT-MLT Orally Disintegrating Tablets 10 mg orally disintegrating tablets are white to off-white, round lyophilized tablets debossed with a modified square on one side.
How the label says it is takenImitrex tablets
  • Single dose of 25-mg, 50-mg, or 100-mg tablet.
  • A second dose should only be considered if some response to the first dose was observed. Separate doses by at least 2 hours.
  • Maximum dose in a 24-hour period: 200 mg.
  • Maximum single dose should not exceed 50 mg in patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment. Dosing Information The recommended dose of IMITREX tablets is 25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg. Doses of 50 mg and 100 mg may provide a greater effect than the 25-mg dose, but doses of 100 mg may not provide a greater effect than the 50-mg dose. Higher doses may have a greater risk of adverse reactions.
Maxalt
  • 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
  • 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
  • Adjust dose if co-administered with propranolol
Most common adverse reactionsImitrex tablets
  • Most common adverse reactions (≥2% and >placebo) were paresthesia, warm/cold sensation, chest pain/tightness/pressure and/or heaviness, neck/throat/jaw pain/tightness/pressure, other sensations of pain/pressure/tightness/heaviness, vertigo, and malaise/fatigue.
Maxalt
  • most common adverse reactions in adults were (incidence ≥5% and greater than placebo): asthenia/fatigue, somnolence, pain/pressure sensation and dizziness To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Organon LLC, a subsidiary of Organon & Co.
  • most common adverse reactions during treatment with MAXALT (≥5% in either treatment group and greater than placebo) were asthenia/fatigue, somnolence, pain/pressure sensation and dizziness.
Warnings and precautionsImitrex tablets
  • Myocardial ischemia/infarction and Prinzmetal's angina: Perform cardiac evaluation in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors.
  • Arrhythmias: Discontinue IMITREX if occurs.
  • Chest/throat/neck/jaw pain, tightness, pressure, or heaviness: Generally not associated with myocardial ischemia; evaluate for coronary artery disease in patients at high risk.
  • Cerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and stroke: Discontinue IMITREX if occurs.
  • Gastrointestinal ischemic reactions and peripheral vasospastic reactions: Discontinue IMITREX if occurs.
  • Medication overuse headache: Detoxification may be necessary.
  • Serotonin syndrome: Discontinue IMITREX if occurs.
  • Seizures: Use with caution in patients with epilepsy or a lowered seizure threshold. Myocardial Ischemia, Myocardial Infarction, and Prinzmetal's Angina The use of IMITREX tablets is contraindicated in patients with ischemic or vasospastic CAD.
Maxalt
  • Myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, and Prinzmetal's angina: Perform cardiac evaluation in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors
  • Arrhythmias: Discontinue dosing if occurs
  • Chest/throat/neck/jaw pain, tightness, pressure, or heaviness; Generally not associated with myocardial ischemia; Evaluate patients at high risk
  • Cerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and stroke: Discontinue dosing if occurs
  • Gastrointestinal ischemic events, peripheral vasospastic reactions: Discontinue dosing if occurs
  • Medication overuse headache: Detoxification may be necessary
  • Serotonin syndrome: Discontinue dosing if occurs
ContraindicationsImitrex tablets
  • History of coronary artery disease or coronary artery vasospasm
  • Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome or other cardiac accessory conduction pathway disorders
  • History of stroke, transient ischemic attack, or hemiplegic or basilar migraine
  • Peripheral vascular disease
  • Ischemic bowel disease
  • Uncontrolled hypertension
  • Recent (within 24 hours) use of another 5-HT 1 agonist (e.g., another triptan) or of an ergotamine-containing medication
  • Concurrent or recent (past 2 weeks) use of monoamine oxidase-A inhibitor
Maxalt
  • MAXALT is contraindicated in patients with: Ischemic coronary artery disease (angina pectoris, history of myocardial infarction, or documented silent ischemia), or other significant underlying cardiovascular disease.
  • Coronary artery vasospasm including Prinzmetal's angina.
  • History of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).
  • Peripheral vascular disease (PVD).
  • Ischemic bowel disease.
  • Uncontrolled hypertension.
  • Recent use (i.e., within 24 hours) of another 5-HT 1 agonist, ergotamine-containing medication, or ergot-type medication (such as dihydroergotamine or methysergide).
  • Hemiplegic or basilar migraine.
Drug interactionsImitrex tablets
  • Ergot-Containing Drugs Ergot-containing drugs have been reported to cause prolonged vasospastic reactions.
  • Because these effects may be additive, use of ergotamine-containing or ergot-type medications (like dihydroergotamine or methysergide) and IMITREX tablets within 24 hours of each other is contraindicated. Monoamine Oxidase-A Inhibitors MAO‑A inhibitors increase systemic exposure by 7-fold.
  • Therefore, the use of IMITREX tablets in patients receiving MAO‑A inhibitors is contraindicated. Other 5-HT 1 Agonists Because their vasospastic effects may be additive, coadministration of IMITREX tablets and other 5‑HT 1 agonists (e.g., triptans) within 24 hours of each other is contraindicated.
Maxalt
  • Propranolol The dose of MAXALT should be adjusted in propranolol-treated patients, as propranolol has been shown to increase the plasma AUC of rizatriptan by 70%. Ergot-Containing Drugs Ergot-containing drugs have been reported to cause prolonged vasospastic reactions.
  • Because these effects may be additive, use of ergotamine-containing or ergot-type medications (like dihydroergotamine or methysergide) and MAXALT within 24 hours is contraindicated. Other 5-HT 1 Agonists Because their vasospastic effects may be additive, co-administration of MAXALT and other 5-HT 1 agonists within 24 hours of each other is contraindicated.
  • A specific MAO-A inhibitor increased the systemic exposure of rizatriptan and its metabolite.
  • Drug Interactions Monoamine oxidase inhibitors: Rizatriptan is principally metabolized via monoamine oxidase, 'A' subtype (MAO-A).
  • Plasma concentrations of rizatriptan may be increased by drugs that are selective MAO-A inhibitors (e.g., moclobemide) or nonselective MAO inhibitors [type A and B] (e.g., isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, and pargyline).
  • In a drug interaction study, when MAXALT 10 mg was administered to subjects (n=12) receiving concomitant therapy with the selective, reversible MAO-A inhibitor, moclobemide 150 mg t.i.d., there were mean increases in rizatriptan AUC and C max of 119% and 41% respectively; and the AUC of the active N-monodesmethyl metabolite of rizatriptan was increased more than 400%.
Label versionImitrex tablets9 December 2025Maxalt29 January 2026
02Written by us

The class core, stated twice

Both labels describe serotonin 5-HT1B/1D receptor agonists for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura, both say the diagnosis of migraine should be clearly established, and both state they are not for prevention. Each label also notes that safety and effectiveness have not been established for cluster headache.

03Written by us

Where the documents diverge: age and doses

Maxalt's indication covers adults and pediatric patients 6 to 17 years of age, with pediatric dosing by body weight: 5 mg under 40 kg, 10 mg at 40 kg or more. The Imitrex tablet label covers adults.

Imitrex tablets are dosed at 25, 50 or 100 mg with a 200 mg daily maximum. Both labels allow a second dose no sooner than 2 hours after the first, and Imitrex conditions it on some response to the first dose.

04Written by us

The contraindications are the class speaking

Both lists open with the cardiovascular system: ischemic coronary artery disease, coronary vasospasm, history of stroke or transient ischemic attack, peripheral vascular disease. Repeated nearly word for word across two products, that is a class contraindication rather than a property of either brand.

05Written by us

What this page does not tell you

It does not rank the two triptans or advise on switching between them. Both are decades-old approvals with generics; which one, if either, fits a person is a question for a prescriber.

06Written by us

Common questions

Which triptan is approved for children?
Rizatriptan: the Maxalt label covers pediatric patients 6 to 17, dosed by weight. The Imitrex tablet label covers adults.
Are both available as generics?
Yes. The FDA register lists 11 approved generic applications for sumatriptan tablets and 13 for rizatriptan, and both generics appear in the pricing table above.
Do they share the same warnings?
Largely yes: the cardiovascular contraindications and the main warnings repeat across the two labels in near-identical wording, which marks them as class warnings. The full lists from both documents are quoted on the medication pages.
07

Sources

Every fact above comes from one of these documents. The date is the effective date of the label version this page was built from.

Each stripe is one section of the label, each division in a stripe one entry in that section.

08

Other comparisons in this category

Page last updated 29 August 2026

Compiled by the HealthyStudy editorial team from FDA source documents. No medical reviewer is credited on this page, because none reviewed it.