Rizatriptan is a 5-HT1 agonist triptan drug for the treatment of migraine headaches. Rizatriptan is a second-generation triptan available in tablet or orally disintegrating tablet (wafer) formulations that offers several advantages over other members of its class. Rizatriptan is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and achieves maximum plasma concentrations more quickly than other triptans, providing rapid pain relief. Clinical trials have shown that rizatriptan is at least as effective or superior to other oral migraine-specific agents in the acute treatment of migraine, and has more consistent long-term efficacy across multiple migraine attacks. Rizatriptan has a favorable tolerability profile, and patients have reported greater satisfaction and a preference for rizatriptan over other migraine-specific agents. Improvements in quality of life reported with rizatriptan are consistent with its favorable efficacy and tolerability profiles.
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