From the Research
It's generally safe to take rizatriptan after ibuprofen, and you don't need to wait between taking these medications. They work through different mechanisms and can be used together when needed for migraine treatment. Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that reduces pain and inflammation, while rizatriptan is a triptan that specifically targets migraine headaches by affecting serotonin receptors and constricting blood vessels in the brain. Some key points to consider when taking these medications together include:
- The potential for increased risk of stomach irritation, which can be mitigated by taking the medications with food 1
- The importance of following your doctor's specific instructions, as individual health conditions may affect this recommendation 2
- The need to consult your healthcare provider before combining these medications if you have kidney problems, heart disease, or take other medications 3
- The fact that triptans, including rizatriptan, have been shown to be effective in treating migraine attacks, with minimal risk of serious side effects 4, 1 It's also worth noting that some studies have compared the efficacy of different triptans, including rizatriptan, in the treatment of migraine attacks 5, 2. However, the most recent and highest quality study on this topic is from 2016, which found that eletriptan, another triptan, has a consistent and significant clinical efficacy and a good tolerability profile in the treatment of migraine 4.