Rizatriptan vs. Sumatriptan

Main Difference

The main difference between Rizatriptan and Sumatriptan is that Rizatriptan has more advantages in the treatment of Acute migraine and Sumatriptan has relatively fewer advantages in the treatment of Acute Migraine

Difference Between Rizatriptan and Sumatriptan

Comparison Chart

Rizatriptan vs. Sumatriptan

Rizatriptan is ist line treatment for the migraine headaches while Sumatriptan is an excellent choice for acute migraine headaches. Rizatriptan is available as Rizatriptan benzoate, on the other hand, Sumatriptan Sumatriptan succinate. Rizatriptan can be recommended for tension-type headaches, on the other hand, Sumatriptan is not used for tension-type headaches Rizatriptan achieves peak plasma concentration in 1-1.5 hrs when the drug is taken orally while Sumatriptan achieves peak plasma concentration in 1-2 hrs when the drug is taken orally. Rizatriptan has an oral bioavailability of 45%; on the other hand, Sumatriptan has an oral bioavailability of 14%-17%. Rizatriptan is administered orally whereas Sumatriptan is administered as oral, nasal and subcutaneous preparations.

What is Rizatriptan?

Rizatriptan is a triptan drug used to treat migraine headaches. Rizatriptan is taken orally. Rizatriptan acts at serotonin receptors and causes vasoconstriction. Rizatriptan inhibits the release of calcitonin gene-related peptide in the trigeminal nerve. Rizatriptan dose should be taken as soon as the headache starts. If Rizatriptan is used in excessive doses, then it leads to medication overuse headaches. The adverse effects of Rizatriptan are dizziness, dry mouth, tingling, and chest pain. Some other side effects are high blood pressure, stroke, myocardial infarction, serotonin syndrome, and anaphylaxis. Rizatriptan is not used in pregnancy and during breastfeeding is not allowed after 24 hrs of taking Rizatriptan. Rizatriptan does not reduce the number of attacks of the migraine. Rizatriptan is not recommended for headaches, which result due to tension. Rizatriptan can not be taken by the patients who have a problem with the heart. Rizatriptan should not be used before and after 24hrs of migraine. Rizatriptan should not be used within 14 days of the dose of MAO inhibitors. Rizatriptan can be taken with or without the food, but its absorption is fast in an empty stomach. If symptoms are still there after the use of Rizatriptan, then the medicine should not be taken further. If symptoms are relieved partly then headaches, come back, and in this case, the next dose is taken after the 2 hrs of ist dose. Rizatriptan is given in single dose to children or is given as 5mg in the 24hrs period. Rizatriptan should be given with caution to patients who are allergic to Rizatriptan. Rizatriptan can cause drowsiness or dizziness.

What is Sumatriptan?

Sumatriptan is an agonist at the 5-HT receptor, and it inhibits the calcitonin gene-related peptide. Sumatriptan decreases the activity of the trigeminal nerve. Sumatriptan being the member of triptans, treats the migraines and is used excessively in treatment of acute migraines. Sumatriptan is taken orally, topically through the nose and parenterally as injections under the skin. When Sumatriptan is given subcutaneously, the peak plasma concentration is reached after 12 minutes of dose, and Sumatriptan has a bioavailability of 97% after the subcutaneous dose. Bioavailability after nasal spray and oral administration of Sumatriptan is 14% -17%. Sumatriptan has an elimination half-life of 1-2 hrs. Sumatriptan is metabolized by MAO-A mostly, and its metabolites are excreted in the urine. Subcutaneous 6mg dose of Sumatriptan relieves a headache in 70% of patients. Oral and nasal doses of Sumatriptan are also effective; the onset of action after nasal doses are approximately 15 minutes. The oral dose of Sumatriptan is 25mg to 100mg, and after ist dose, the next oral dose can be taken after 2 hrs, and in the 24hrs period, the total 200mg oral dose can be taken. For nasal spray 5mg to 20mg of Sumatriptan is given and nasal dose can be repeated after 2hrs and in 24 hrs total nasal dose of 40mg can be given to patients. Sumatriptan causes rare but severe cardiac events like coronary artery vasospasm, atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, and transient myocardial ischemia. 80% of patients experience at least one side effect after a subcutaneous dose of Sumatriptan. Sumatriptan subcutaneous injections also cause mild pain and stinging sensation at the site of injection. The bitter taste is the most common adverse effect after a nasal dose of Sumatriptan. Sumatriptan is contraindicated in patients of ischemic and vasospastic coronary artery disease.

Conclusion

The main conclusion of the above discussion is that Rizatriptan and Sumatriptan belong to triptans and are used for the treatment of acute migraines.