Rizatriptan (trade name Maxalt) is a 5-HT1 receptor agonist of the triptan class of drugs for the treatment of migraine headaches. It is available in strengths of 5 and 10 mg as tablets and orally disintegrating tablets (Maxalt-MLT). Like the other triptans, sumatriptan and zolmitriptan, rizatriptan induces vasoconstriction—possibly by inhibiting the release of calcitonin gene-related peptide from sensory neurons in the trigeminal nerve. In the present study, magnetic multiwalled carbon nanotubes modified glassy carbon electrode (Fe3O4/MWCNTs/GCE) was used for the voltammetric determination of rizatriptan in real samples. The electrochemical oxidation of rizatriptan was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry. Also, SEM, TEM, XRD techniques was used to evaluate microstructure of the electrochemical sensor. Under the optimal conditions linear response was observed in range of 0.50– 100.00 µmol L−1. The lower detection limit was found to be 0.09 µmol L−1. The investigated method showed good stability, reproducibility and repeatability. The proposed sensor was successfully applied to the determination of rizatriptan in real samples.
