Question 1 of 10

(demo test)

Product Demo for RITE®

Which of the following is an advantage of the orally disintegrating formulation of rizatriptan compared to traditional tablets?

A. Orally disintegrating tablets come in higher doses than traditional tablets

B. Orally disintegrating tablets are absorbed in the mucosa and thus have a faster onset of action

C. Orally disintegrating tablets allow for the consumption of abortive therapy without the need for liquids

D. Orally disintegrating tablets are associated with less cardiovascular effects

E. Orally disintegrating tablets can be used more frequently than traditional tablets without occurrence of medication overuse headache

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Category:

Pharmacology/Chemistry

High Yield:

No

Your Answer:

U

Correct Answer:

C

Explanation:

Orally disintegrating tablets (ODT) or wafers are a relatively novel dosage formulation consisting of a solid dosage form that rapidly dissolves on the tongue. The disintegrating tablets offer some advantages over conventional tablets including the fact that they can be consumed without the need for liquids at anytime, anywhere at the onset of a migraine attack (option c is correct). They are also a good alternative for patients who have difficulty swallowing pills or whose nausea and/or vomiting makes swallowing tablets difficult. 

Zolmitriptan and rizatriptan are available as disintegrating tablets at the same dose per tablet as their conventional counterparts (option a is incorrect). Though they dissolve in the tongue, they are not absorbed through the oral mucosa and do not have a faster onset of action than conventional tablets (option b is incorrect). The cardiovascular effects of triptans are no different when taken in an ODT formulation (option d incorrect). Frequent use of triptans can result in medication overuse headache regardless of their formulation (option e incorrect). 

Reference: 

Gladstone JP, Gawel M. Newer formulations of the triptans: advances in migraine management. Drugs 2003;63(21):2285-305. 

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