Sumatriptan tablets: Apo-Sumatriptan is the new funded brand

Sumatriptan is used for the treatment of migraines.

What is changing?

The funded brand of sumatriptan tablets is changing from Arrow-Sumatriptan to Apo-Sumatriptan.

Your new brand is available from 1 April 2017

  • From 1 April 2017 Apo-Sumatriptan will be fully funded and available for patients
  • From 1 June 2017 a part payment may be required for Arrow-Sumatriptan
  • From 1 September 2017 only Apo-Sumatriptan will be fully funded. Arrow-Sumatriptan will no longer be funded.
  • If you do want to keep using your current brand of sumatriptan tablets, you can ask your pharmacist to check the price and availability. PHARMAC cannot guarantee the availability or price of Arrow-Sumatriptan after 1 September 2017.

Your new brand

Newly-funded Apo-Sumatriptan 50 mg and 100 mg tablets look like this:

Previously-funded Arrow-Sumatriptan 50 mg and 100 mg tablets look like this:

Apo-Sumatriptan works the same as the other brands

  • Apo-Sumatriptan will work in the same way as Arrow-Sumatriptan. Apo-Sumatriptan has the same active ingredient and is delivered to the body in the same way. This means it will have the same effect as the other brand of sumatriptan.
  • Apo-Sumatriptan has been thoroughly evaluated by Medsafe to ensure it’s safe and works the same as the other brands.
  • There’s more information about medicines and changes to medicines in The facts about generic and biosimilar medicines.

Last updated: 14 February 2018