Rizatriptan (Maxalt) 10 mg wafers for migraine, and revised listings for other 5HT1 agonists (‘triptans’)Rizatriptan (Maxalt) 10 mg wafers for migraine, and revised listings for other 5HT1 agonists (‘triptans’)

Rizatriptan 10 mg wafers were listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) as authority required (streamlined) on 1 March 2010 for people with past migraines that have usually failed to respond to analgesics.1

Rizatriptan has been available overseas for more than 10 years.2 All triptans are effective for migraine3,4 but individual response cannot be predicted.5 If the first triptan fails, try another.

As of 1 April 2010, the PBS restriction for naratriptan, sumatriptan and zolmitriptan has changed: there is no longer a requirement for past migraines to have failed to respond to ergotamine*.6 This change brings the restriction into line with that of rizatriptan.

* Injectable dihydroergotamine is the only ergot alkaloid indicated for migraine listed on the PBS

References

  1. Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee. Positive recommendations made by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) in November 2009 relating to the listing of drugs on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Canberra: Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, 2009. http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/pbacrec-nov09-positive (accessed 6 January 2010).
  2. Hargreaves RJ, Lines CR, Rapoport AM, et al. Ten years of rizatriptan: from development to clinical science and future directions. Headache 2009;49:S3–20.
  3. Ferrari MD, Goadsby PJ, Roon KI, et al. Triptans (serotonin, 5-HT agonists) in migraine: detailed results and methods of a meta-analysis of 53 trials. Cephalalgia 2002;22:633–58.
  4. Pascual J, Mateos V, Roig C, et al. Marketed oral triptans in the acute treatment of migraine: a systematic review on efficacy and tolerability. Headache 2007;47:1152–68.
  5. National Prescribing Centre. The management of migraine. MeReC Bulletin 13:(2). Liverpool: National Health Service, 2002. http://www.npc.co.uk/ebt/merec/pain/migraine/resources/merec_bulletin_vol13_no2.pdf (accessed 15 January 2010).
  6. Department of Health and Ageing. PBS for Health Professionals. Canberra, 2010. www.pbs.gov.au (accessed 6 January 2010).

NPS RADAR: independent, evidence-based assessment of new drugs, new PBS listings and the latest research for doctors, pharmacists and other health professionals.

RSS FeedRSS feed

Date published: 2010-04-01 00:00:00

Reasonable care is taken to provide accurate information at the date of creation. This information is not intended as a substitute for medical advice from a qualified health professional. Health professionals should rely on their own expertise and enquiries when providing medical advice or treatment. Where permitted by law, NPS disclaims all liability (including for negligence) for any loss, damage or injury resulting from reliance on or use of this information. Read our full disclaimer.

References to brands should not be taken as an endorsement by NPS.