Dipyridamole (Pytazen SR) Tab long-acting 150 mg: Discontinuation

Affected product

Douglas, the supplier, advises that it can no longer supply this product because of difficulty getting the active ingredient. We have not been able to find a replacement product. We're sorry. We know that changing medicines isn't ideal. We have tried to avoid this but were not able to.

Chemical: Dipyridamole

• Presentation: Tab long-acting 150 mg
• Brand: Pytazen SR
• Pharmacode: 750255
• Subsidy: $13.93
• Measure / Qty: per 60

Key dates

May 2024: Douglas advised of the discontinuation

September 2025: Stock expected to run out at the supplier 

People taking Pytazen SR

You will need to talk to the person who prescribed your Pytazen SR about alternative treatments.  

Prescriber action needed

We have not found an alternative to Pytazen SR. You will need to move anyone taking Pytazen SR to an alternative treatment. Our clinical advisors have indicated that, where it is clinically appropriate, prescribers may like to consider:

• clopidogrel as a single agent (especially if a person is allergic to or intolerant of aspirin)
• aspirin as a single agent (especially if a person is resistant to or intolerant of clopidogrel).

Our clinical advisers consider aspirin plus clopidogrel in combination should not be used in the long-term secondary prevention of stroke or TIA. It should be used under specialist direction only.

More information

Antiplatelet therapy - MAGICapp(external link) (Australian and New Zealand Living Clinical Guidelines for Stroke Management)

Aspirin monograph | NZ Formulary(external link)

Clopidogrel monograph | NZ Formulary(external link)

What Pharmac has done 

We have previously sought tenders for the ongoing supply of this product. Unfortunately, we have not had any bids for the on-going supply of dipyridamole. We have also engaged directly with various suppliers to see if dipyridamole could be made available for New Zealand. Unfortunately, these efforts have been unsuccessful, and dipyridamole will no longer be available in New Zealand once remaining stock has been used or expires.

We have removed all-at-once dispensing from the Pytazen SR brand to help preserve the remaining stock.

We have received clinical advice that people receiving dipyridamole may be able to be transitioned to other funded treatments.

We are still considering options for alternative medicines where these may be needed.

Who to contact

If you have questions about this issue, email enquiry@pharmac.govt.nz

Please include as much information as you can about the product (presentation, brand, Pharmacode) and who your wholesaler is.

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