A review of the 5-HT1B/1D agonist rizatriptan: update on recent research and implications for the future

Abstract

Background: Among the 5-HT_1B/1D agonists or ‘triptans,’ which are considered first-line therapy for acute migraine, rizatriptan has emerged as one of the most efficacious. Objective: Several comprehensive reviews of rizatriptan are available in the literature; the aim of this paper is to review the most current research with rizatriptan. Methods: The scope of the review addresses current topics of clinical interest, including studies of time to pain relief, effect of early administration, use in combination with other drugs, and tolerability updates, as well as trials of rizatriptan in certain subpopulations such as patients with menstrual migraine, patients with motion sickness and pediatric patients. Conclusion: In the context of these newly available data, the potential for expansion of the role of rizatriptan in the clinic is evaluated.

Keywords::

• 5-HT_1B/1D agonist
• headache
• migraine
• rizatriptan

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank JK Evans, MD for assistance with the manuscript.

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