Rizatriptan Drug Information

Generic name: RIZATRIPTAN BENZOATE

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Uses of Rizatriptan

Rizatriptan benzoate tablets are indicated for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults and in pediatric patients 6 to 17 years old. Limitations of Use Rizatriptan benzoate tablets should only be used where a clear diagnosis of migraine has been established. If a patient has no response for the first migraine attack treated with rizatriptan benzoate tablets, the diagnosis of migraine should be reconsidered before rizatriptan benzoate tablets are administered to treat any subsequent attacks.

Rizatriptan benzoate tablets are not indicated for use in the management of hemiplegic or basilar migraine . Rizatriptan benzoate tablets are not indicated for the prevention of migraine attacks. Safety and effectiveness of rizatriptan benzoate tablets have not been established for cluster headache. Rizatriptan benzoate is a serotonin (5-HT) 1B/1D receptor agonist (triptan) indicated for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults and in pediatric patients 6 to 17 years of age Limitations of Use : Use only after clear diagnosis of migraine has been established Not indicated for the prophylactic therapy of migraine Not indicated for the treatment of cluster headache

Dosage & Administration of Rizatriptan

Dosing Information in Adults

The recommended starting dose of rizatriptan benzoate tablets is either 5 mg or 10 mg for the acute treatment of migraines in adults. The 10 mg dose may provide a greater effect than the 5 mg dose, but may have a greater risk of adverse reactions . Redosing in Adults Although the effectiveness of a second dose or subsequent doses has not been established in placebo-controlled trials, if the migraine headache returns, a second dose may be administered 2 hours after the first dose. The maximum daily dose should not exceed 30 mg in any 24-hour period.

The safety of treating, on average, more than four headaches in a 30-day period has not been established.

Dosing Information in Pediatric Patients (Age 6 to 17 Years) Dosing in

pediatric patients is based on the patient's body weight. The recommended dose of rizatriptan benzoate tablets is 5 mg in patients weighing less than 40 kg (88 lb), and 10 mg in patients weighing 40 kg (88 lb) or more. The efficacy and safety of treatment with more than one dose of rizatriptan benzoate tablets within 24 hours in pediatric patients 6 to 17 years of age have not been established.

Dosage Adjustment for Patients on Propranolol Adult Patients

In adult patients taking propranolol, only the 5 mg dose of rizatriptan benzoate tablets is recommended, up to a maximum of 3 doses in any 24-hour period (15 mg). Pediatric Patients For pediatric patients weighing 40 kg (88 lb) or more, taking propranolol, only a single 5 mg dose of rizatriptan benzoate tablets is recommended (maximum dose of 5 mg in a 24-hour period). Rizatriptan benzoate tablets should not be prescribed to propranolol-treated pediatric patients who weigh less than 40 kg (88 lb).

Side Effects of Rizatriptan

Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Adults Incidence in Controlled Clinical Trials Adverse reactions to rizatriptan benzoate were assessed in controlled clinical trials that included over 3700 adult patients who received single or multiple doses of rizatriptan benzoate tablets. The most common adverse reactions during treatment with rizatriptan benzoate (≥5% in either treatment group and greater than placebo) were asthenia/fatigue, somnolence, pain/pressure sensation and dizziness.

These adverse reactions appeared to be dose related. Table 1 lists the adverse reactions (incidence ≥2% and greater than placebo) after a single dose of rizatriptan benzoate in adults. Table 1: Incidence (≥2% and Greater than Placebo) of Adverse Reactions After a Single Dose of Rizatriptan Benzoate Tablets or Placebo in Adults Adverse Reactions % of Patients Rizatriptan Benzoate 5 mg (N=977) Rizatriptan Benzoate 10 mg (N=1167) Placebo (N=627) Atypical Sensations 4 5 4 Paresthesia 3 4 <2 Pain and other Pressure Sensations 6 9 3 Chest Pain: tightness/pressure and/or heaviness <2 3 1 Neck/throat/jaw: pain/tightness/pressure <2 2 1 Regional Pain: tightness/pressure and/or heaviness <1 2 0 Pain, location unspecified 3 3 <2 Digestive 9 13 8 Dry Mouth 3 3 1 Nausea 4 6 4 Neurological 14 20 11 Dizziness 4 9 5 Headache <2 2 <1 Somnolence 4 8 4 Other Asthenia/fatigue 4 7 2 The frequencies of adverse reactions in clinical trials did not increase when up to three doses were taken within 24 hours.

Adverse reaction frequencies were also unchanged by concomitant use of drugs commonly taken for migraine prophylaxis (including propranolol), oral contraceptives, or analgesics. The incidences of adverse reactions were not affected by age or gender. There were insufficient data to assess the impact of race on the incidence of adverse reactions.

Other Events Observed in Association with the Administration of Rizatriptan Benzoate in Adults In the following section, the frequencies of less commonly reported adverse events are presented that were not reported in other sections of the labeling. Because the reports include events observed in open studies, the role of rizatriptan benzoate in their causation cannot be reliably determined. Furthermore, variability associated with adverse event reporting, the terminology used to describe adverse events, limit the value of the quantitative frequency estimates provided.

Event frequencies are calculated as the number of patients who used rizatriptan benzoate and reported an event divided by the total number of patients exposed to rizatriptan benzoate (N=3716). All reported events occurred at an incidence ≥1%, or are believed to be reasonably associated with the use of the drug. Events are further classified within body system categories and enumerated in order of decreasing frequency using the following definitions: frequent adverse events are those defined as those occurring in at least (>)1/100 patients; infrequent adverse experiences are those occurring in 1/100 to 1/1000 patients; and rare adverse experiences are those occurring in fewer than 1/1000 patients. General: Infrequent was facial edema.

Rare were syncope and edema/swelling. Atypical Sensations: Frequent were warm sensations. Cardiovascular: Frequent was palpitation.

Infrequent were tachycardia, cold extremities, and bradycardia. Digestive: Frequent were diarrhea and vomiting. Infrequent were dyspepsia, tongue edema and abdominal distention.

Musculoskeletal: Infrequent were muscle weakness, stiffness, myalgia and muscle cramp/spasm. Neurological/Psychiatric: Frequent were hypoesthesia, euphoria and tremor. Infrequent were vertigo, insomnia, confusion/disorientation, gait abnormality, memory impairment, and agitation.

Respiratory: Frequent was dyspnea. Infrequent was pharyngeal edema. Special Senses: Infrequent were blurred vision and tinnitus.

Rare was eye swelling. Skin and Skin Appendage: Frequent was flushing. Infrequent were sweating, pruritus, rash, and urticaria.

Rare was erythema, hot flashes. The adverse reaction profile seen with rizatriptan benzoate orally disintegrating tablets was similar to that seen with rizatriptan benzoate tablets. Pediatric Patients 6 to 17 Years of Age Incidence in Controlled Clinical Trials in Pediatric Patients Adverse reactions to rizatriptan benzoate orally disintegrating tablets were assessed in a controlled clinical trial in the acute treatment of migraines (Study 7) that included a total of 1382 pediatric patients 6 to 17 years of age, of which 977 (72%) administered at least one dose of study treatment (rizatriptan benzoate orally disintegrating tablets and/or placebo). The incidence of adverse reactions reported for pediatric patients in the acute clinical trial was similar in patients who received rizatriptan benzoate tablets to those who received placebo.

The adverse reaction pattern in pediatric patients is expected to be similar to that in adults. Other Events Observed in Association with the Administration of Rizatriptan Benzoate Orally Disintegrating Tablets in Pediatric Patients In the following section, the frequencies of less commonly reported adverse events are presented. Because the reports include events observed in open studies, the role of rizatriptan benzoate orally disintegrating tablets in their causation cannot be reliably determined.

Furthermore, variability associated with adverse event reporting, the terminology used to describe adverse events, limit the value of the quantitative frequency estimates provided. Event frequencies are calculated as the number of pediatric patients 6 to 17 years of age who used rizatriptan benzoate orally disintegrating tablets and reported an event divided by the total number of patients exposed to rizatriptan benzoate orally disintegrating tablets (N=1068). All reported events occurred at an incidence ≥1%, or are believed to be reasonably associated with the use of the drug. Events are further classified within system organ class and enumerated in order of decreasing frequency using the following definitions: frequent adverse events are those occurring in (>)1/100 pediatric patients; infrequent adverse experiences are those occurring in 1/100 to 1/1000 pediatric patients; and rare adverse experiences are those occurring in fewer than 1/1000 patients.

General: Frequent was fatigue. Ear and labyrinth disorders: Infrequent was hypoacusis. Gastrointestinal disorders: Frequent was abdominal discomfort.

Nervous system disorders: Infrequent were coordination abnormal, disturbance in attention, and presyncope. Psychiatric disorders: Infrequent was hallucination.

Postmarketing Experience

The following section enumerates potentially important adverse events that have occurred in clinical practice and which have been reported spontaneously to various surveillance systems. The events enumerated include all except those already listed in other sections of the labeling or those too general to be informative. Because the reports cite events reported spontaneously from worldwide postmarketing experience, frequency of events and the role of rizatriptan benzoate in their causation cannot be reliably determined.

Neurological/Psychiatric: Seizure. General: Allergic conditions including anaphylaxis/anaphylactoid reaction, angioedema, wheezing, and toxic epidermal necrolysis. Special Senses: Dysgeusia.

Warnings & Cautions for Rizatriptan

Myocardial Ischemia, Myocardial Infarction, and Prinzmetal's Angina Rizatriptan benzoate should not be

given to patients with ischemic or vasospastic coronary artery disease. There have been rare reports of serious cardiac adverse reactions, including acute myocardial infarction, occurring within a few hours following administration of rizatriptan benzoate. Some of these reactions occurred in patients without known coronary artery disease (CAD). 5-HT 1 agonists, including rizatriptan benzoate may cause coronary artery vasospasm (Prinzmetal’s Angina), even in patients without a history of CAD. Triptan-naïve patients who have multiple cardiovascular risk factors (e.g., increased age, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, obesity, strong family history of CAD) should have a cardiovascular evaluation prior to receiving rizatriptan benzoate.

If there is evidence of CAD or coronary artery vasospasm, rizatriptan benzoate should not be administered. For patients who have a negative cardiovascular evaluation, consideration should be given to administration of the first rizatriptan benzoate dose in a medically-supervised setting and performing an electrocardiogram (ECG) immediately following rizatriptan benzoate administration. Periodic cardiovascular evaluation should be considered in intermittent long-term users of rizatriptan benzoate who have cardiovascular risk factors.

Arrhythmias Life-threatening disturbances of cardiac rhythm, including ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation

leading to death, have been reported within a few hours following the administration of 5-HT 1 agonists. Discontinue rizatriptan benzoate if these disturbances occur.

Chest, Throat, Neck and/or Jaw Pain/Tightness/Pressure As with other 5-HT 1 agonists

sensations of tightness, pain, pressure, and heaviness in the precordium, throat, neck and jaw commonly occur after treatment with rizatriptan benzoate and are usually non­-cardiac in origin. However, if a cardiac origin is suspected, patients should be evaluated. Patients shown to have CAD and those with Prinzmetal’s variant angina should not receive 5-HT 1 agonists.

Cerebrovascular Events Cerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and stroke have occurred in patients

treated with 5-HT 1 agonists, and some have resulted in fatalities. In a number of cases, it appears possible that the cerebrovascular events were primary, the 5-HT 1 agonist having been administered in the incorrect belief that the symptoms experienced were a consequence of migraine, when they were not. Also, patients with migraine may be at increased risk of certain cerebrovascular events (e.g., stroke, hemorrhage, transient ischemic attack). Discontinue rizatriptan benzoate if a cerebrovascular event occurs.

As with other acute migraine therapies, before treating headaches in patients not previously diagnosed as migraineurs, and in migraineurs who present with atypical symptoms, care should be taken to exclude other potentially serious neurological conditions. Rizatriptan benzoate should not be administered to patients with a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack .

Other Vasospasm Reactions 5-HT 1 agonists, including rizatriptan benzoate, may cause non-coronary

vasospastic reactions, such as peripheral vascular ischemia, gastrointestinal vascular ischemia and infarction (presenting with abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea), splenic infarction, and Raynaud’s syndrome. In patients who experience symptoms or signs suggestive of non-coronary vasospasm reaction following the use of any 5-HT 1 agonist, the suspected vasospasm reaction should be ruled out before receiving additional rizatriptan benzoate doses. Reports of transient and permanent blindness and significant partial vision loss have been reported with the use of 5-HT 1 agonists.

Since visual disorders may be part of a migraine attack, a causal relationship between these events and the use of 5-HT 1 agonists have not been clearly established.

Medication Overuse Headache Overuse of acute migraine drugs (e.g., ergotamine, triptans, opioids

or a combination of drugs for 10 or more days per month) may lead to exacerbation of headache (medication overuse headache). Medication overuse headache may present as migraine-like daily headaches, or as a marked increase in frequency of migraine attacks. Detoxification of patients, including withdrawal of the overused drugs, and treatment of withdrawal symptoms (which often includes a transient worsening of headache) may be necessary.

Serotonin Syndrome

Serotonin syndrome may occur with triptans, including rizatriptan benzoate particularly during co-administration with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and MAO inhibitors . Serotonin syndrome symptoms may include mental status changes (e.g., agitation, hallucinations, coma), autonomic instability (e.g., tachycardia, labile blood pressure, hyperthermia), neuromuscular aberrations (e.g., hyperreflexia, incoordination) and/or gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). The onset of symptoms can occur within minutes to hours of receiving a new or a greater dose of a serotonergic medication. Rizatriptan benzoate treatment should be discontinued if serotonin syndrome is suspected .

Increase in Blood Pressure Significant elevation in blood pressure, including hypertensive crisis

with acute impairment of organ systems, has been reported on rare occasions in patients with and without a history of hypertension receiving 5-HT 1 agonists, including rizatriptan benzoate. In healthy young adult male and female patients who received maximal doses of rizatriptan benzoate (10 mg every 2 hours for 3 doses), slight increases in blood pressure (approximately 2 to 3 mmHg) were observed. Rizatriptan benzoate is contraindicated in patients with uncontrolled hypertension .

Drug Interactions with Rizatriptan

Propranolol

The dose of rizatriptan benzoate should be adjusted in propranolol-treated patients, as propranolol has been shown to increase the plasma AUC of rizatriptan by 70% .

Ergot-Containing Drugs Ergot-containing drugs have been reported to cause prolonged vasospastic reactions.

Because these effects may be additive, use of ergotamine-containing or ergot-type medications (like dihydroergotamine or methysergide) and rizatriptan benzoate within 24 hours is contraindicated .

Other 5-HT 1 Agonists

Because their vasospastic effects may be additive, co-administration of rizatriptan benzoate and other 5-HT 1 agonists within 24 hours of each other is contraindicated .

SSRIs/SNRIs and

Serotonin Syndrome Cases of serotonin syndrome have been reported during co-administration of triptans and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) .

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors Rizatriptan benzoate is contraindicated in patients taking

MAO-A inhibitors and non-selective MAO inhibitors. A specific MAO-A inhibitor increased the systemic exposure of rizatriptan and its metabolite .

Pregnancy Safety for Rizatriptan

Pregnancy Risk Summary Available human data on the use of rizatriptan benzoate in pregnant women are not sufficient to draw conclusions about drug-associated risk for major birth defects and miscarriage. In animal studies, developmental toxicity was observed following oral administration of rizatriptan during pregnancy (decreased fetal body weight in rats) or throughout pregnancy and lactation (increased mortality, decreased body weight, and neurobehavioral impairment in rat offspring) at maternal plasma exposures greater than that expected at therapeutic doses in humans. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and of miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.

The reported rate of major birth defects among deliveries to women with migraine range from 2.2% to 2.9% and the reported rate of miscarriage was 17%, which are similar to rates reported in women without migraine. Clinical Considerations Disease-Associated Maternal and/or Embryo/Fetal Risk In women with migraine, there is an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes in the mother, including pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension. Data Human Data The Pregnancy Registry for rizatriptan benzoate did not identify any pattern of congenital anomalies or other adverse birth outcomes over the period of 1998 to 2018. However, the lack of identification of any pattern should be viewed with caution, as the number of prospective reports with outcome information was low and did not provide sufficient power to detect an increased risk of individual birth defects associated with the use of rizatriptan benzoate.

Additionally, there was significant loss to follow-up in the prospective pregnancy reports, further complicating this assessment of an association between rizatriptan benzoate and any pattern of congenital anomalies or other adverse birth outcomes. In a study using data from the Swedish Medical Birth Register, live births to women who reported using triptans or ergots during pregnancy were compared with those of women who did not. Of the 157 births with first-trimester exposure to rizatriptan, 7 infants were born with malformations (relative risk 1.01 ). A study using linked data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway to the Norwegian Prescription Database compared pregnancy outcomes in women who redeemed prescriptions for triptans during pregnancy, as well as a migraine disease comparison group who redeemed prescriptions for triptans before pregnancy only, compared with a population control group.

Of the 310 women who redeemed prescriptions for rizatriptan during the first trimester, 10 had infants with major congenital malformations (OR 1.03 ), while for the 271 women who redeemed prescriptions for rizatriptan before, but not during, pregnancy, 12 had infants with major congenital malformations (OR 1.48 ), each compared with the population comparison group. Animal Data When rizatriptan (0, 2, 10, or 100 mg/kg/day) was administered orally to pregnant rats throughout organogenesis, a decrease in fetal body weight was observed at the highest doses tested. At the mid dose (10 mg/kg/day), which was a no-effect dose for adverse effects on embryofetal development, plasma exposure (AUC) was approximately 15 times that in humans at the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 30 mg/day.

When rizatriptan (0, 5, 10, or 50 mg/kg/day) was administered orally to pregnant rabbits throughout organogenesis, no adverse fetal effects were observed. Plasma exposure (AUC) at the highest dose tested was 115 times that in humans at the MRHD. Placental transfer of drug to the fetus was demonstrated in both species. Oral administration of rizatriptan (0, 2, 10, or 100 mg/kg/day) to female rats prior to and during mating and continuing throughout gestation and lactation resulted in reduced body weight in offspring from birth and throughout lactation at all but the lowest dose tested (2 mg/kg/day). Plasma exposure (AUC) at the no-effect dose (2 mg/kg/day) for adverse effects on postnatal development was similar to that in humans at the MRHD. Oral administration of rizatriptan (0, 5, 100, or 250 mg/kg/day) throughout organogenesis and lactation resulted in neonatal mortality, reduced body weight (which persisted into adulthood), and impaired neurobehavioral function in offspring at all but the lowest dose tested.

Plasma exposure (AUC) at the no-effect dose for adverse effects on postnatal development (5 mg/kg/day) was approximately 8 times that in humans at the MRHD.

Pediatric Use of Rizatriptan

Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients under 6 years of age have not been established. The efficacy and safety of rizatriptan benzoate in the acute treatment of migraine in patients aged 6 to 17 years was established in an adequate and well-controlled study . The incidence of adverse reactions reported for pediatric patients in the acute clinical trial was similar in patients who received rizatriptan benzoate to those who received placebo. The adverse reaction pattern in pediatric patients is expected to be similar to that in adults.

Contraindications for Rizatriptan

Rizatriptan benzoate tablets are contraindicated in patients with: Ischemic coronary artery disease (angina pectoris, history of myocardial infarction, or documented silent ischemia), or other significant underlying cardiovascular disease . Coronary artery vasospasm including Prinzmetal's angina . History of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) . Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) . Ischemic bowel disease . Uncontrolled hypertension . Recent use (i.e., within 24 hours) of another 5-HT 1 agonist, ergotamine-containing medication, or ergot-type medication (such as dihydroergotamine or methysergide) . Hemiplegic or basilar migraine. Concurrent administration or recent discontinuation (i.e., within 2 weeks) of a MAO-A inhibitor . Hypersensitivity to rizatriptan or any of the excipients (angioedema and anaphylaxis seen) . History of ischemic heart disease or coronary artery vasospasm History of stroke or transient ischemic attack Peripheral vascular disease Ischemic bowel disease Uncontrolled hypertension Recent (within 24 hours) use of another 5-HT 1 agonist (e.g., another triptan), or of an ergotamine-containing medication Hemiplegic or basilar migraine MAO-A inhibitor used in the past 2 weeks Hypersensitivity to rizatriptan or any of the excipients

Overdosage Information for Rizatriptan

No overdoses of rizatriptan benzoate were reported during clinical trials in adults. Some adult patients who received 40 mg of rizatriptan benzoate either a single dose or as two doses with a 2-hour interdose interval had dizziness and somnolence. In a clinical pharmacology study in which 12 adult subjects received rizatriptan benzoate, at total cumulative doses of 80 mg (given within four hours), two of the subjects experienced syncope, dizziness, bradycardia including third degree AV block, vomiting, and/or incontinence.

In the long-term, open label study, involving 606 treated pediatric migraineurs 12 to 17 years of age (of which 432 were treated for at least 12 months), 151 patients (25%) took two 10 mg doses of rizatriptan benzoate orally disintegrating tablets within a 24-hour period. Adverse reactions for 3 of these patients included abdominal discomfort, fatigue, and dyspnea. In addition, based on the pharmacology of rizatriptan benzoate, hypertension or myocardial ischemia could occur after overdosage.

Gastrointestinal decontamination, (i.e., gastric lavage followed by activated charcoal) should be considered in patients suspected of an overdose with rizatriptan benzoate. Clinical and electrocardiographic monitoring should be continued for at least 12 hours, even if clinical symptoms are not observed. The effects of hemo- or peritoneal dialysis on serum concentrations of rizatriptan are unknown.

Clinical Studies of Rizatriptan

Adults

The efficacy of rizatriptan benzoate tablets was established in four multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled trials. Patients enrolled in these studies were primarily female (84%) and Caucasian (88%), with a mean age of 40 years (range of 18 to 71). Patients were instructed to treat a moderate to severe headache. Headache response, defined as a reduction of moderate or severe headache pain to no or mild headache pain, was assessed for up to 2 hours (Study 1) or up to 4 hours after dosing (Studies 2, 3 and 4). Associated symptoms of nausea, photophobia, and phonophobia and maintenance of response up to 24 hours post-dose were evaluated.

A second dose of rizatriptan benzoate tablets was allowed 2 to 24 hours after dosing for treatment of recurrent headache in Studies 1 and 2. Additional analgesics and/or antiemetics were allowed 2 hours after initial treatment for rescue in all four studies. In all studies, the percentage of patients achieving headache response 2 hours after treatment was significantly greater in patients who received either rizatriptan benzoate 5 or 10 mg compared to those who received placebo. In a separate study, doses of 2.5 mg were not different from placebo.

Doses greater than 10 mg were associated with an increased incidence of adverse effects. The results from the four controlled studies are summarized in Table 2. Table 2: Response Rates 2 Hours Following Treatment of Initial Headache in Studies 1, 2, 3, and 4 * p-value <0.05 in comparison with placebo. † p-value <0.05 in comparison with 5 mg. ‡ Results for initial headache only. Study Placebo Rizatriptan Benzoate Tablets 5 mg Rizatriptan Benzoate Tablets 10 mg 1 35% (n=304) 62% * (n=458) 71% *,† (n=456) 2 ‡ 37% (n=82) — 77%* (n=320) 3 23% (n=80) 63%* (n=352) — 4 40% (n=159) 60%* (n=164) 67% * (n=385) Comparisons of drug performance based upon results obtained in different clinical trials may not be reliable.

Because studies are conducted at different times, with different samples of patients, by different investigators, employing different criteria and/or different interpretations of the same criteria, under different conditions (dose, dosing regimen, etc.), quantitative estimates of treatment response and the timing of response may be expected to vary considerably from study to study. The estimated probability of achieving an initial headache response within 2 hours following treatment in pooled Studies 1, 2, 3, and 4 is depicted in Figure 1. For patients with migraine-associated photophobia, phonophobia, and nausea at baseline, there was a decreased incidence of these symptoms following administration of rizatriptan benzoate compared to placebo. Two to 24 hours following the initial dose of study treatment, patients were allowed to use additional treatment for pain response in the form of a second dose of study treatment or other medication.

The estimated probability of patients taking a second dose or other medication for migraine over the 24 hours following the initial dose of study treatment is summarized in Figure 2. Efficacy was unaffected by the presence of aura; by the gender, or age of the patient; or by concomitant use of common migraine prophylactic drugs (e.g., beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, tricyclic antidepressants) or oral contraceptives. In two additional similar studies, efficacy was unaffected by relationship to menses. There were insufficient data to assess the impact of race on efficacy.

Pediatric Patients 6 to 17 Years of Age

The efficacy of rizatriptan benzoate orally disintegrating tablets in pediatric patients 6 to 17 years was evaluated in a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group clinical trial (Study 7). Patients had to have at least a 6-month history of migraine attacks (with or without aura) usually lasting 3 hours or more (when untreated). The patient population was historically non-responsive to NSAIDs and acetaminophen therapy. Patients were instructed to treat a single migraine attack with headache pain of moderate to severe intensity. The treatment phase of the study had two stages.

Stage 1 was used to identify placebo non-responders, who then entered into Stage 2, in which patients were randomized to rizatriptan benzoate orally disintegrating tablets or placebo. Using a weight-based dosing strategy, patients 20 kg to <40 kg (44 lb to <88 lb) received rizatriptan benzoate orally disintegrating tablets 5 mg or placebo, and patients ≥40 kg (88 lb) received rizatriptan benzoate orally disintegrating tablets 10 mg or placebo. The mean age for the studied patient population was 13 years.

Sixty-one percent of the patients were Caucasian, and fifty-six percent of the patients were female. The percentage of patients achieving the primary efficacy endpoint of no headache pain at 2 hours after treatment was significantly greater in patients who received rizatriptan benzoate orally disintegrating tablets, compared with those who received placebo (33% vs. 24%). Study 7 results are summarized in Table 4. Table 4: Response Rates 2 Hours Following Treatment of Initial Headache in Pediatric Patients 6 to 17 Years of Age in Study 7 Endpoint Placebo Rizatriptan Benzoate Orally Disintegrating Tablets p-Value No headache pain at 2 hours post-dose 24% (n/m=94/388) 33% (n/m=126/382) 0.01 n = Number of evaluable patients with no headache pain at 2 hours post-dose. m = Number of evaluable patients in population. The observed percentage of pediatric patients achieving no headache pain within 2 hours following initial treatment with rizatriptan benzoate orally disintegrating tablets is shown in Figure 5. The prevalence of the exploratory endpoints of absence of migraine-associated symptoms (nausea, photophobia, and phonophobia) at 2 hours after taking the dose was not statistically significantly different between patients who received rizatriptan benzoate orally disintegrating tablets and those who received placebo.

Drug information sourced from the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before making any medication decisions.

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