Pattern of triptans use: a retrospective prescription study in Calabria, Italy

Abstract

Triptans are 5-hydroxytryptamine 1B/1D receptor agonists used in moderate to severe migraine attacks as first line when non-specific, symptomatic, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are not effective. To gain insight in the treatment of migraine in the regional context, this retrospective (from January to August of the years 2017 and 2018) study aimed at monitoring the use of triptans approved by the regional health authority in Calabria. The data demonstrate that the overall treatment of migraine with triptans in the different provinces of Calabria falls in the average regional prescription/dispensation. Interestingly, Crotone showed a trend to an increased amount of defined daily dose/1000 inhabitants per day. The present analysis might stand for homogeneity of treatment of migraineurs in Calabria and highlights the need for better understanding the apparent differences in the local pattern of almotriptan use to improve the appropriateness.

Keywords: 5-HT 1B/1D receptor agonists; Calabria; DDD/1000 inhabitants per day; R453; R741; almotriptan; migraine; pharmacoepidemiology; pharmacology of migraine; prescriptions; treatment; triptans Chinese Library Classification No..

Figure 1

DDD/1000 inhabitants per day for almotriptan in all the Calabrian provinces from January to August 2017 (A) and 2018 (B). The province presenting the highest amount of prescriptions/dispensations of almotriptan is Crotone: DDD/1000 inhabitants per day January–August 2017 = 1.84 (29.53%) (A) and DDD/1000 inhabitants per day January–August 2018 = 1.75 (27.17%) (B). First quartile (25% percentile) 2017 = 0.90; third quartile (75% percentile) 2017 = 1.66. First quartile 2018 = 0.95; third quartile 2018 = 1.68. DDD: Defined daily dose.