Q&A with a neurologist
On 21 May 2024, we held our first webinar for Migraine Foundation Aotearoa New Zealand members with neurologist Dr Rosamund Hill. We had a list of questions from members and put them to Dr Hill for an hour-long session that was full of straightforward and useful information. Here are some highlights. If you would like […]
Join us for an Auckland meetup this October
Sneaking in before the Christmas silly season begins, we’re holding an Auckland meetup next month. Like our other previous meetups, this will be a really informal catch up, no awkward ‘round the room introductions’, just a chance to meet others with migraine and chat. And we’ll shout you a hot drink. Date: Sunday 20 October […]
Summary of preventive medications for migraine in NZ
Many people with migraine could benefit from preventive treatment, if they’re experiencing frequent or severe migraine attacks. However, commonly used oral preventive medications often have side effects and finding a medication that works for you can be a matter of trial and error. We’ve developed a summary of information about migraine preventive medications for GPs […]
Serotonin toxicity (syndrome) and triptans
Here’s a quiz question that featured in an article on serotonin toxicity (also known as serotonin syndrome) in New Zealand Doctor, July 2024: Serotonin toxicity is likely when a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor is co-prescribed with a triptan. True/False Do you know the answer? Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a class of antidepressant that […]
Migraine Foundation at GP conference in Christchurch
Migraine featured this year at the major annual GP conference of the South Island – the GPCME South Conference, held at Te Pae conference centre in Christchurch from 16–18 August with 858 attendees. Migraine Foundation co-founder Dr Fiona Imlach and Clinical Advisory Group members Dr Rosamund Hill (neurologist) and Dr Paul Vroegop (pain specialist and […]
Our answers to questions from Seven Sharp
Migraine featured in the media again on Monday 1 July, with an item on Seven Sharp, TVNZ’s current affairs and news show at 7pm. It started well, with Hilary Barry stating that “migraines are not your typical headache and can’t be treated with a big glass of water and paracetamol” but in a bizarre contradiction […]
Medsafe approves atogepant for use in New Zealand
Medsafe has approved the migraine medication atogepant (Aquipta, also known as Qulipta) be added to the New Zealand Medicines Schedule. Atogepant is used to prevent migraine and is taken daily as an oral tablet. In May 2024, Medsafe granted approval for atogepant to be marketed in New Zealand, making atogepant the first gepant medication to […]
Migraine or ‘sinus headache’?
The symptoms of migraine disease are commonly mistaken for those of another condition. This means that people with migraine are often misdiagnosed and don’t receive appropriate treatment. One of the most common conditions confused with migraine is ‘sinus headache’. In fact, a true ‘sinus headache’ is not very common. It is caused by an acute […]
Alcohol and migraine
To drink or not to drink – that can be a vexing question for people with migraine. As many as a third of people with migraine report that alcohol may trigger a migraine attack at least some of the time. A proportion of these people choose not to drink at all, to avoid any chance […]
Neurological Advisory Committee recommends migraine medications receive high priority funding
Press release Migraine Foundation Aotearoa New Zealand welcomes Pharmac’s Neurological Advisory Committee recommendation that migraine-specific medications should be funded with a high priority. At its September meeting, the Committee reviewed the evidence for funding galcanezumab (Emgality), erenumab (Aimovig) and atogepant (Aquipta) for chronic and episodic migraine. All three medications were developed specifically to prevent migraine, […]
