We have been made aware of a supply issue that is affecting rizatriptan 10mg tablets (Rizamelt), which is the most commonly used triptan in Aotearoa for the treatment of migraine attacks. Apparently this is due to manufacturing issues and re-supply is expected in November.
People who are using Rizamelt can access an alternative brand of rizatriptan called Rizatriptan Rising. This has been approved for funding by Pharmac and should be listed in the software used by prescribers. However it will not be available to order until later in June and will not be in the online Pharmaceutical Schedule of funded medicines until 1st July. Pharmac advises that claims for Rizatriptan Rising in June will be processed.
Rizatriptan Rising has not yet been approved by Medsafe, so it has to be prescribed as an “unapproved medication” under Section 29A of the Medicines Act. This means that prescribers have to report back to Medsafe on how much they have prescribed.
Alternatively, people taking Rizamelt could try sumatriptan (tablet or injection), which is the only other triptan medication available in Aotearoa.
We would like to see more than two triptans in Aotearoa, which would mitigate the impact of supply issues like this. There are seven triptans available worldwide, which each have different ways of working and being used. The more options we have, the higher the chance we can find something that will work – and if our preferred option is suddenly not available, we have more than one choice for an alternative. The research on triptan use we did last year showed an unequivocal need for more triptans and more treatment options in general.
