Rizatriptan is a generic prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat migraine episodes, with or without aura, in adults and in children ages 6 years and older.

Rizatriptan treats a migraine episode after it starts. It’s not used to prevent migraine episodes.

For more information about rizatriptan’s uses, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Drug details

Here are some details about rizatriptan:

Read on to learn about rizatriptan and cost, as well as how to save money on prescriptions.

As with all medications, the cost of rizatriptan can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use.

To find out what the cost of rizatriptan will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and rizatriptan.

How do the prices of the 5-mg and 10-mg strengths of rizatriptan compare?

The prescription cost of rizatriptan can vary depending on which strength and form you’re taking. However, there typically isn’t a big price difference between strengths.

Rizatriptan comes as an orally disintegrating tablet and an oral tablet.* Each form is available in two strengths:

  • 5 milligrams (mg)
  • 10 mg

To get a better idea of what you’d pay for rizatriptan, talk with your pharmacist or contact your insurance provider.

* An orally disintegrating tablet dissolves or melts in your mouth, and an oral tablet is swallowed whole.

How does the cost of rizatriptan compare with other triptan medications?

Rizatriptan belongs to a group of migraine medications called triptans.

Rizatriptan may be less expensive compared with some other generic triptans. For example, eletriptan (the generic form of Relpax) costs more than rizatriptan.

However, the price of rizatriptan is similar to the price of sumatriptan (the generic form of Imitrex). Sumatriptan is also a triptan that’s used to treat migraine episodes.

If you’re interested in trying a different triptan medication to save money, talk with your doctor. They can discuss which treatment options might cost less and still be effective for your condition.

Rizatriptan, also referred to as rizatriptan benzoate, is available as the brand-name drugs Maxalt and Maxalt-MLT. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. The generic is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

If you are taking rizatriptan and you’re interested in using Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT instead, talk with your doctor. They may recommend one version or the other for your condition. You’ll also need to check with your insurance provider as it may only cover one or the other.

To find out how the cost of Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT compares with the cost of rizatriptan, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Below are some ways to possibly reduce long-term drug costs of rizatriptan.

Getting a 3-month supply

You may be able to get a 90-day supply of rizatriptan. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Using a mail-order pharmacy

Rizatriptan may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this type of service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to receive your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug via mail order.

If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

If you need financial support to pay for rizatriptan, consider looking into websites that offer cost resources and information. Two such organizations are:

These sites can provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services.

Now that you’ve learned about cost and rizatriptan, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance on cost issues related to you and rizatriptan. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for rizatriptan.

Here are some other resources you may find helpful:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.