Maxalt/Maxalt MLT is the Most Commonly Prescribed Branded Triptan Used by Newly Diagnosed Migraine Patients in the United States
Use of Rizatriptan Products Remains Unchanged as Generics Begin to Erode Brand Share, According to a New Report from Decision Resources
BURLINGTON, Mass., Oct. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Decision Resources, one of the world's leading research and advisory firms for pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, finds that through examination of U.S. patient-level claims data, among approved acute antimigraine products assessed, oral triptans are the most commonly prescribed therapies used by newly diagnosed patients across the first three lines of therapy within two years of diagnosis. These findings are consistent with treatment guidelines, which recommend triptans as appropriate early line pharmacological options for the acute treatment of migraine. In particular, oral formulations of sumatriptan (GlaxoSmithKline's Imitrex, generics) capture the greatest patient share across all three lines of therapy in newly diagnosed patients—capturing over half of the total first-line patient share in this population. This dominance reflects the product's position as the standard of care for acute migraine treatment and its long presence on the market, bolstered by its generic availability. Among newly diagnosed patients, Merck & Co.'s Maxalt/Maxalt MLT (oral and ODT* formulations) and Pfizer's Relpax consistently capture the second- and third-most patient share, respectively, across all three lines.
The Treatment Algorithms in Migraine – Acute Treatments report finds that, among recently treated patients, Maxalt/Maxalt MLT captured the second-highest patient share behind oral sumatriptan in quarterly analysis beginning in the first quarter of 2012, until the entrance of generic versions of Maxalt/Maxalt MLT (rizatriptan) in the first quarter of 2013, the final quarter analyzed. Following its launch, prescriptions of generic rizatriptan have risen dramatically at the expense of branded Maxalt/Maxalt MLT, though total use of rizatriptan products has remained flat.
The findings also reveal that, consistent with the intermittent nature of migraines, several months typically elapse before a patient will progress to another line of acute prescription therapy. Moreover, movement to later lines of acute therapy among the approved antimigraine drugs queried typically involves a switch in treatment—these therapies are rarely prescribed as part of regimen.
"The filling of concomitant prescriptions for approved acute antimigraine agents occurs infrequently in newly diagnosed patients," said Decision Resources Senior Director Bethany A. Kiernan, Ph.D. "That said, our data show that non-oral formulations of acute therapies are more likely to be used as part of a regimen, presumably reflecting their use for particular types of migraines or as rescue treatments when an oral formulation alone fails to provide adequate symptom relief."
* ODT = Orally dispersible tablet.
About Decision Resources
Decision Resources (www.decisionresources.com) is a world leader in market research publications, advisory services and consulting designed to help clients shape strategy, allocate resources and master their chosen markets. Decision Resources is a Decision Resources Group company.
About Decision Resources Group
Decision Resources Group is a cohesive portfolio of companies that offers best-in-class, high-value information and insights on important sectors of the healthcare industry. Clients rely on this analysis and data to make informed decisions. Please visit Decision Resources Group at www.DecisionResourcesGroup.com.
All company, brand, or product names contained in this document may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
For more information, contact:
Decision Resources Group
Christopher Comfort
781-993-2597
[email protected]
SOURCE Decision Resources
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