The migraine medicine Maxalt, which is used for seizures, has sold out from the distributor. It is not expected to be back in Norwegian pharmacies until the middle to the end of March.
Maxalt is one of seven seizure medicines used for migraine in Norway. The medicine is among the most commonly used seizure medicines for migraine.
It’s not always just a matter of switching.
– Bad for many
Migraine expert Tine Pole says that the patients have received a tailored treatment and have tried out different medicines.
– It is bad for many that this medicine is out of the pharmacies for a period of time. Many people have found that it is this medication that has the best effect and the fewest side effects. Then it is difficult to get used to another medicine and not so easy to change, says Poole, who is a general practitioner and owner of the Oslo Headache Center clinic.
IS DIFFERENT: Many have spent time finding the migraine medication that works best for them. Then it’s bad when it’s not available, says migraine expert Tine Poole. Photo: Private
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It happens at irregular intervals that there is a shortage of medicines. The migraine medicine is still available in a lower dose. It is the most common dose of the medicine (10 mg) that is sold out from the supplier.
It is only expected to be back in the pharmacies at the end of March.
Shortage for several months
Since January 12, there has been a shortage of the migraine medicine Maxalt. Migraine expert Poole emphasizes that three months is not so long that such a medicine is sold out – many people have a small stock at home, and several pharmacies also have some in stock.
– There are individual differences in the effect and side effects of all medicines. Maxalt has its advantages for many, and there are many who just want to use it, and who get side effects from other seizure medicines, she says.
The Swedish Medicines Agency’s overview of drug shortages shows that there is a shortage of Maxalt due to production problems. The shortage has been ongoing since mid-January. For some of the tablet packs, the shortage will last until mid-March and for others the shortage period will last this month.
– For some patients, there will be challenges, depending on how long this shortage period will be, says senior physician Ingrid Aas at the Norwegian Medicines Agency to Dagbladet.
Migraine help few know about
She emphasizes that there are lower strength alternatives available (5 mg).
– For those who prefer soluble tablets, it will be a challenge, and they will have to go to the doctor to get a prescription for another triptan, she says.
– Some have tried many alternatives, and it is Maxalt that works best for them, then it will be very difficult if it is not available, says Anne Hege Aamodt, senior physician at OUS, Rikshospitalet and head of the Headache Clinic at Rikshospitalet.
– Better overview
She calls for a better overview of the medicine shortage, and says that she can write a prescription for a medicine that is temporarily unavailable.
LACK OF OVERVIEW: Anne Hege Aamodt, senior physician at OUS, Rikshospitalet calls for a better overview of drug shortages. – Suddenly there is no stock of a normal blood pressure medication, she says. Photo: Thomas Rasmus Skaug / Dagbladet
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– It seems that it is an unclear and unpredictable situation for both doctors and patients, which can affect the quality of the health service. It should be unnecessary. One should work to have a more comprehensive overview, says Aamodt.
It also seems that each individual pharmacy only has an overview of its own stocks. Patients have told senior doctor Aamodt that they have been told in one pharmacy chain that the medicine is sold out, but got hold of it in another chain immediately afterwards.
At the same time, the superintendent emphasizes that exactly with Maxalt, there are alternatives. There are other seizure medications (triptans) available.
– The effect may be different, but it may be that something that did not work three years ago may work now. The migraine can change, so often you reach the goal, but it can be very cumbersome for the individual patient, says Aamodt.
