Sumatriptan vs. Maxalt

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

Key Takeaways

  • Both sumatriptan and Maxalt are triptans used to stop a migraine attack that has already started, not to prevent future ones.

  • Sumatriptan comes as a tablet, an injection, or a nasal spray, while Maxalt is only available as a standard tablet or a dissolving tablet.

  • Maxalt is approved for children ages 6 to 17, while sumatriptan tablets are approved only for adults.

Sumatriptan vs. Maxalt Drug Summary

Sumatriptan

Sumatriptan is a triptan that activates serotonin 5-HT1B/1D receptors to stop a migraine attack once it starts. It is taken as a tablet at the first sign of migraine and is also available as an injection or nasal spray. It has been on the market since 1992.

Maxalt

Maxalt (rizatriptan) is a triptan that also targets serotonin 5-HT1B/1D receptors to relieve an active migraine attack. It comes as a standard tablet or an orally disintegrating tablet that dissolves without water. It is approved for both adults and children ages 6 to 17.

Sumatriptan vs. Maxalt Side Effects

Sumatriptan

Most common
Nausea (≥2%)
Paresthesia (≥2%)
Vertigo (≥2%)
Malaise or fatigue (≥2%)

Maxalt

Most common
Nausea (up to 4%)
Paresthesia (up to 3.7%)
Dizziness (up to 9.9%)
Somnolence (up to 8.3%)

Sumatriptan vs. Maxalt Dosage

Sumatriptan

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 25 mg once per attack At the start
Maximum dose 25 mg once per attack Same as starting
Dose changes None Fixed dose

Maxalt

Dosage
Dosage Table
STAGE DOSE WHEN
Starting dose 5 mg or 10 mg repeat dose At the start
Maximum dose 5 mg or 10 mg repeat dose Same as starting
Dose changes None Fixed dose

Sumatriptan vs. Maxalt Indications

Sumatriptan

Sumatriptan is FDA-approved for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults. It is meant to stop an attack already underway, not to prevent one. It is not approved for cluster headache in tablet form.

  • Acute migraine treatment in adults

  • Works for migraine with or without aura

  • Not approved for migraine prevention

  • Tablet form not approved for cluster headache

Maxalt

Maxalt is FDA-approved for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults and in children ages 6 to 17. Like sumatriptan, it treats an attack in progress rather than preventing one. It is not approved for cluster headache.

  • Acute migraine treatment in adults and children 6-17

  • Works for migraine with or without aura

  • Not approved for migraine prevention

  • Not approved for cluster headache

Sumatriptan vs. Maxalt Pros and Cons

Sumatriptan

Sumatriptan has been used since 1992 and is one of the most established triptans, available as a tablet, an injection, or a nasal spray. It offers flexible dosing across three strengths, but it is approved only for adults and has no dissolving tablet option.

Pros

  • Available as tablet, subcutaneous injection, or nasal spray

  • Much lower list price, roughly $12 to $185 per 9 tablets without insurance

  • Three dose strengths (25, 50, 100 mg) allow fine-tuning

Cons

  • Not approved for use in children

  • No orally disintegrating tablet option

  • Injection and nasal spray are separate products that add cost and complexity

Maxalt

Maxalt is a well-studied triptan approved for both adults and children ages 6 to 17, with a standard tablet and a convenient orally disintegrating tablet. Its simple two-strength dosing appeals to many patients, though it carries a notably higher price than older triptans like sumatriptan.

Pros

  • FDA-approved for children ages 6 to 17, not just adults

  • Orally disintegrating tablet dissolves without water for quick, discreet dosing

  • Straightforward two-strength dosing (5 mg or 10 mg) with a defined repeat-dose option

Cons

  • Significantly higher list price, roughly $800 to $935 per month without insurance

  • Only available as tablet or dissolving tablet, no injection or nasal spray option

  • Orally disintegrating tablet contains phenylalanine

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