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
Zomig
Maxalt vs. Zomig Dosage
Maxalt
Zomig
| 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 |
| 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
| 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
| 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
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