Rimegepant is Now Available in the Philippines for Both the Acute Treatment of Migraine and the Preventive Treatment of Episodic Migraine 1

 Rimegepant is the first and only medicine approved for both acute and preventive migraine treatment 2

Pfizer Philippines today announces the availability of Rimegepant, a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist for both the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura and the preventive migraine treatment of episodic migraine in adults who have at least four migraine attacks per month.1 There are approximately 12 million people living with migraine in the Philippines3 and one of the leading cause of disability worldwide.,4 Migraine disproportionately affects women, occurring two to three times more common in females than in males.5

“We at Pfizer take pride in bringing our breakthrough anti-migraine treatment in the country today as we believe migraine is not just a headache but a chronic, painful disorder that takes away many days and hours that are supposed to be spent in meaningful and productive engagements. Migraine is associated with significant impact on daily living, such as work and personal activities.4 Based on an article published at the Journal of Headache and Pain by Haw, et al 2020 migraine poses a significant threat to work productivity in the country." said So-Myung Lim, Pfizer Philippines Country Manager.

Results from the Phase 3 study published in Lancet demonstrated that a single dose of Rimegepant provided superior pain reduction and associated symptoms of migraine at two hours compared to placebo.6 The prevention study, also published in Lancet, demonstrated that Rimegepant taken every other day provided superior reduction in the number of days per month with migraine in Weeks 9 –12 of the 12-week treatment period compared to placebo, that was maintained with continued dosing during the 12-month open-label extension period.6

“Believe it or not, headaches are disabling! Migraine affects people in the most productive years and unable to fully enjoy their lives. The launch of a novel anti-migraine treatment such as Rimegepant in the country can be a game-changer, especially for those with incapacitating attacks of migraine. This is indeed a welcome development that we hope can provide solutions to many of our patients.” said Dr. Artemio

Rimegepant is approved in over 20 markets to date7 and now available in the Philippines1. Healthcare Professionals will be able to decide how they want to prescribe Rimegepant based on the locally approved dosing.

About Migraine

More than one billion people worldwide live with migraine,8 and the World Health Organization classifies migraine as the second leading cause of disability in the world5. Migraine is characterized by debilitating attacks lasting four to 72 hours with multiple symptoms, including pulsating headaches of moderate to severe pain intensity that can be associated with nausea or vomiting, and/or sensitivity to sound (phonophobia) and sensitivity to light (photophobia).6

Medication overuse headache (MOH) 1

Overuse of any type of medicinal products for headaches can make them worse. If this situation is experienced or suspected, medical advice should be obtained, and treatment should be discontinued. The diagnosis of MOH should be suspected in patients who have frequent or daily headaches despite (or because of) the regular use of medicinal products for acute headache.

About Rimegepant

Rimegepant targets a key component of migraine by reversibly blocking CGRP receptors. CGRP is increased during a migraine attack, dilates blood vessels, and is involved in nociceptor signaling. CGRP receptor antagonists work by reversibly blocking CGRP receptors, thereby inhibiting the biologic activity of the endogenous CGRP neuropeptide. 6

The Marketing Authorization for Rimegepant was based, in part, on the review of the results from three Phase 3 studies for acute treatment, a long-term, open-label safety study in acute treatment of migraine and a Phase 3 study with a 1-year open-label extension in the preventive treatment of migraine. Rimegepant is taken orally as needed, up to once daily, to stop migraine attacks or taken every other day to help prevent migraine attacks.6

The most common adverse reaction was nausea for acute treatment (1.2%) and for migraine prophylaxis (1.4%). Most of the reactions were mild or moderate in severity. Hypersensitivity, including dyspnea and severe rash, occurred in less than 1% of patients treated. 1

Indication and important safety information 1

Rimegepant is indicated for the

⦁ Acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults

⦁ Preventive treatment of episodic migraine in adults who have at least 4 migraine attacks per month.

Special warnings and precautions for use 1

Hypersensitivity reactions, including dyspnea and rash, have occurred in less than 1% of patients treated with Rimegepant in clinical studies. Hypersensitivity reactions, including serious hypersensitivity, can occur days after administration. If a hypersensitivity reaction occurs, Rimegepant should be discontinued, and appropriate therapy should be initiated.

Rimegepant is not recommended:

⦁ in patients with severe hepatic impairment

⦁ in patients with end-stage renal disease (CLcr < 15 ml/min)

⦁ for concomitant use with strong inhibitors of CYP3A4; - for concomitant use with strong or moderate inducers of CYP3A4.