Rizatriptan

Additional information

Pharmacokinetics and dosing

The pharmacokinetics of single oral doses of rizatriptan 2.5-15 mg administrated to healthy volunteers was studied in a randomized, crossover study (12 men, 12 women). The mean AUC of oral rizatriptan was 19-35% higher in women than in men. However, the difference is not likely to be of clinical relevance. Plasma clearance of rizatriptan was ~25% higher in men than in women. No difference in the dose-effect relationship between men and women was noted [1]. In another study (6 men, 6 women), where healthy volunteers received a single dose rizatriptan 10 mg, half-life was longer in men. Other pharmacokinetic parameters showed no sex differences [2, 3]. No pharmacokinetic differences between elderly men and women have been found [4].

Effects

The efficacy of rizatriptan 5 mg in adolescents (12-17 years old) was established in two randomized, placebo-controlled trials (212 men, 263 women). Rizatriptan 5 mg was shown to be more effective than standard care (patient’s usual migraine therapy) during long-term use. Treatment effects for pain relief were not dependent on sex [5].Time to pain freedom with rizatriptan 10 mg compared to usual care was evaluated in a prospective, open-label study (197 men, 1292 women; mean age 41.7 years). There were no differences in time to pain freedom between men and women [6].Results from randomized, double-blind studies of migraineurs (66 men, 280 women) show no sex differences in response to frovatriptan 2.5 mg, rizatriptan 10 mg, zolmitriptan 2.5 mg or almotriptan 12.5 mg [7].

Adverse effects

According to trials done by the original manufacturer, incidence of adverse reactions did not differ between men and women [8].

Reproductive health issues

Regarding teratogenic aspects, please consult the Drugs and Birth Defects Database (in Swedish, Janusmed fosterpåverkan).