Maxalt vs. Zomig

See how Maxalt and Zomig compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.

Key Takeaways

  • Maxalt and Zomig are both triptans for acute migraine treatment, but only Maxalt is approved for children ages 6 to 17.

  • Zomig comes in a nasal spray option in addition to tablets, while Maxalt is only available as a standard or dissolving tablet.

  • Both drugs carry the same triptan warnings about cardiovascular risk and should not be combined with other triptans, ergotamines, or MAO inhibitors within their specified windows.

Maxalt vs. Zomig Drug Summary

Maxalt

Maxalt (rizatriptan) is a triptan for acute migraine attacks, with or without aura, approved for adults and children ages 6 to 17. It is taken as a tablet or orally disintegrating tablet, with a repeat dose allowed after 2 hours if needed.

Zomig

Zomig (zolmitriptan) is a triptan used for the acute treatment of migraine attacks, with or without aura, in adults. It comes as a tablet, an orally disintegrating tablet, or a nasal spray, taken as a single dose at the start of a migraine.

Maxalt vs. Zomig Side Effects

Maxalt

Most common
dizziness (up to 9.9%)
nausea (up to 4%)
somnolence (up to 8.3%)
asthenia/fatigue (up to 5%)

Zomig

Most common
dizziness (up to 11%)
nausea (up to 12%)
asthenia (up to 14%)
paresthesia (up to 11%)

Maxalt vs. Zomig Dosage

Maxalt

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 5 mg At the start
Maximum dose 5 mg or 10 mg repeat If needed
Dose changes 2 increases As tolerated

Zomig

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 1.25 mg or 2.5 mg At the start
Maximum dose 5 mg If needed
Dose changes 2 increases As tolerated

Maxalt vs. Zomig Indications

Maxalt

Maxalt is FDA-approved for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults and in children ages 6 to 17. It is not approved to prevent migraines or to treat cluster headaches.

  • Acute treatment of migraine with aura

  • Acute treatment of migraine without aura

  • Approved for ages 6 to 17 and adults

  • Not approved for migraine prevention

Zomig

Zomig is FDA-approved for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults only. It is not approved to prevent migraines or to treat cluster headaches.

  • Acute treatment of migraine with aura

  • Acute treatment of migraine without aura

  • Approved for adults only, not children

  • Not approved for migraine prevention

Maxalt vs. Zomig Pros and Cons

Maxalt

Maxalt has a long safety record and is the only one of these two approved for children as young as 6, alongside adults. It comes in standard tablet and orally disintegrating forms, with generally lower rates of the most common triptan side effects seen in trials.

Pros

  • Approved for children ages 6 to 17, not just adults

  • Lower rates of asthenia, nausea, and paresthesia in trials

  • Simple two-strength regimen of 5 mg or 10 mg

Cons

  • Not available as a nasal spray option

  • Orally disintegrating tablet contains phenylalanine

  • Fewer formulation choices than some other triptans

Zomig

Zomig offers more formulation choices, including a nasal spray that can work faster for people with nausea or vomiting during a migraine. It is approved only for adults, and trial data show higher rates of common side effects like asthenia and nausea compared with rizatriptan.

Pros

  • Nasal spray option for faster relief with nausea

  • Three formulation choices: tablet, ODT, and nasal spray

  • Short half-life of about 3 hours

Cons

  • Not approved for children under 12 in tablet or ODT form

  • Higher rates of asthenia, nausea, and paresthesia in trials

  • Dose must be reduced when combined with cimetidine

Common Symptoms and Related Diseases You Can Explore

Explore a range of common symptoms the Doctronic Symptom Checker can help you understand.