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Table 2 Discontinuation rates of fremanezumab and subsequent medication changes

From: A real-world study of acute and preventive medication use, adherence, and persistence in patients prescribed fremanezumab in the United States

 

Overall

(N = 216)

Quarterly

(n = 29)

Monthly

(n = 187)

Discontinuation, n (%)

216 (100.0)

29 (100.0)

187 (100.0)

Switching, n (%)

99 (45.8)

13 (44.8)

86 (46.0)

 Within-class switching

17 (7.9)

4 (13.8)

13 (7.0)

  Aimovig

11 (5.1)

1 (3.4)

10 (5.3)

  Emgality

7 (3.2)

3 (10.3)

4 (2.1)

 Between-class switching

95 (44.0)

12 (41.4)

83 (44.4)

  Acute medications

46 (21.3)

5 (17.2)

41 (21.9)

   Triptans

19 (8.8)

3 (10.3)

16 (8.6)

   Ergot alkaloids

1 (0.5)

0

1 (0.5)

   NSAID analgesics

19 (8.8)

2 (6.9)

17 (9.1)

   Opioid analgesics

12 (5.6)

1 (3.4)

11 (5.9)

   Miscellaneous

7 (3.2)

1 (3.4)

6 (3.2)

  Preventive medication

81 (37.5)

10 (34.5)

71 (38.0)

   Anticonvulsants/antiepileptics

26 (12.0)

4 (13.8)

22 (11.8)

   Antihypertensive

19 (8.8)

1 (3.4)

18 (9.6)

   Muscle relaxants

16 (7.4)

3 (10.3)

13 (7.0)

   Antidepressants

27 (12.5)

1 (3.4)

26 (13.9)

   Antihistamines

1 (0.5)

0

1 (0.5)

   OnabotulinumtoxinA

7 (3.2)

0

7 (3.7)

Reinitiation, n (%)

 Any dose

28 (13.0)

2 (6.9)

26 (13.9)

 Monthly to quarterly

1 (0.5)

0

1 (0.5)

 Quarterly to monthly

0

0

0

Permanent discontinuation, n (%)

103 (47.7)

14 (48.3)

89 (47.6)

  1. NSAID nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug