Known as a 5-hydroxytryptamine agonist, Rizatriptan Benzoate is the benzoate salt form of rizatriptan with anti-migraine activity, which can be used to treat the migraine headaches. It is FDA-approved to use in the treatment of acute migraine attacks with or without aura, especially taken at the first sign of a migraine headache. However, it cannot prevent future migraine attacks and it is ineffective to prevent other types of headache.
The pain of migraine headaches is believed to be induced by dilated blood vessels inside the head. Rizatriptan Benzoate relieves the pain by inducing vasoconstriction, which functions as an agonist at serotonin 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D receptors. The selective receptor binding is effective to constrict cranial vessels and inhibit the transmission of nociception, thus providing relief of migraine headaches.
