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
Maxalt
Sumatriptan vs. Maxalt Dosage
Sumatriptan
Maxalt
| 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 |
| 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
| 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
| 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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