Over 140,000 daily doses of rimegepant were prescribed in Denmark within two years of its launch as the first CGRP antagonist approved for both acute and preventive migraine treatment.
140,000+ daily dosesRimegepant prescriptions in Denmark accumulated rapidly within two years of the drug's introduction
What the researchers found
Over 140,000 DDD of rimegepant were prescribed in Denmark by December 2024, with analysis of demographic characteristics, adherence patterns, and concomitant migraine therapy use.
Why it matters
Understanding real-world adoption patterns helps predict how new migraine therapies will be used in practice and identifies which patient populations are benefiting first.
The numbers in context
Over 140,000 DDDs dispensed by December 2024. 88% female, median age 45. 79% prior triptan use, 38% prior NSAID use. 69% met medication overuse criteria before initiation. 63% concomitant triptan use. Early discontinuation was common.
How the study worked
Register-based study using nationwide Danish healthcare registry data analyzing rimegepant prescriptions from October 2022 to December 2024.
Who was studied
Danish patients prescribed rimegepant for migraine
What this study cannot tell us
Danish healthcare system may not be representative of other countries. Registry data captures prescriptions but not actual patient-reported outcomes or satisfaction.
How to read the evidence
National registry study providing comprehensive real-world prescribing data. Strong for understanding adoption patterns but does not assess clinical outcomes.
When this study was published
Published in 2025, covering the first two years of rimegepant availability in Denmark.
The bigger picture
Rimegepant's rapid uptake reflects strong demand for oral CGRP-targeted migraine therapies that can serve dual purposes, potentially simplifying treatment regimens for patients.
Questions still open
- How does rimegepant adherence compare to injectable anti-CGRP antibodies?
- What proportion of rimegepant users also take preventive anti-CGRP antibodies?
Common questions
What makes rimegepant different from other migraine drugs?
How is rimegepant taken?
Read the original research
Adoption of rimegepant in Denmark: a register-based study on uptake, prescribing patterns and initiator characteristics.
The journal of headache and pain, 26(1), 83
Citation
Pellesi, Lanfranco; Do, Thien Phu; Ernst, Martin Thomsen; Hallas, Jesper; Pottegård, Anton. (2025). Adoption of rimegepant in Denmark: a register-based study on uptake, prescribing patterns and initiator characteristics.. The journal of headache and pain, 26(1), 83. https://doi.org/10.1186/s10194-025-02028-w