MIGRAINE MEDICATION NZ

All medications listed below should be discussed with your health care team. Most medications below are prescription only.

NSAIDs

Short acting non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications. These can be bought over the counter at a pharmacy, they are also funded and can be prescribed.

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Ibuprofen
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Diclofenac
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Naproxen 
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NSAIDs are most effective when taken early in a migraine attack. These may not be as effective once a severe migraine attack has developed.

Antiemetics

These medicines are to help relieve nausea and vomiting that is associated with migraine disease. These are funded and prescription only.

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Metoclopramide
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Domperidone
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Prochlorperazine
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Antiemetics are best taken at the same time or just after a triptan.

Preventatives

There are some medications out there which help to help prevent migraine attacks. These medications are usually used if you have tried avoiding possible triggers, severe migraine attacks or if they are frequent.

Preventatives are in 3 categories in NZ. All of medications below are funded and prescription only

Beta Blockers:

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Propanolol
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Nadolol
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Metoprolol
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Antidepressant:

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Amitriptyline
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Nortriptyline
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Anti-epileptics:

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Topiramate
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Sodium Valproate
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Pizotifen
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Gabapentin
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Preventatives need to be taken taken daily and may take a few weeks to work.

CGRP:

There is currently one CGRP available in New Zealand. Aimovig/Erenumab - you will need to get a prescription from a neurologist. It is roughly $670 a month, it is only purchased by a pharmacy in Grafton, Auckland. Shipping not included.

Abortives/Triptans

Migraine abortives are medications taken after a an attack starts - usually at the first sign of aura. Abortive medications are used to help prevent the attack from progressing.

Abortive medications are known as Triptans. These are funded and prescription only.

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Sumatriptan
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Rizatriptan (Rizamelt) 
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Triptans are available as tablets, injections and nasal sprays. Triptans should not be used more than 10 days per month as this can cause medication overuse headache.

Botox

Research shows Botox is only beneficial for those living with chronic migraine +15 migraine attacks per month

Botox blocks chemicals called neurotransmitters that carry pain signals from your brain. Botox is used to stop neurotransmitters before they get to the nerve endings around your head and neck.

Pharmac funds botox however it is up to each individual DHB if they will fund it. With changes coming in the NZ Health sector Migraine NZ will be trying to make botox more accessible for everyone around the country.

THE YES DHBS:

Lakes DHB
South Canterbury DHB
Haurora Tairāwhiti DHB

Your GP needs to send a referral through to the neurological team which if Neuro wants to try botox then you are eligible. (More likely to be accepted)

THE NO DHBS:

West Coast DHB
Southern DHB

We are awaiting more responses from DHBs. When this information comes through it will be updated on the website.

THE COMPLICATED DHBS:

Auckland DHB (includes all 3)
Hutt Valley DHB
Capital & Coast DHB

These are under the complicated DHB’s because they are not funded HOWEVER some migraine patients can get botox - although it is a process and most are not eligible.

During MAM 2021 Briar spoke with Professor Debbie Hay from Otago University who is working in the Pharmacology of CGRP.

Below is a video of what CGRP is an the types. Currently in NZ medsafe has approved 2 types however they are not Pharmac funded.

To watch the full interview click here