Your Patient Needs Treximet — Now What?

You've determined that Treximet (Sumatriptan 85 mg / Naproxen Sodium 500 mg) is the right choice for your patient's migraine management. But there's a good chance they'll call you back within a day or two saying their pharmacy doesn't have it. This guide gives you a practical, step-by-step approach to help your patients access Treximet in 2026.

Current Availability: The Reality

Treximet is not in a formal shortage. It's manufactured by Currax Pharmaceuticals and is available through major wholesalers. However, many retail pharmacies — especially chain locations — don't routinely stock it because:

• It's a niche combination product with relatively low prescription volume
• The high cash price ($500-$900 brand, $130+ generic) means many prescriptions go unfilled
• Insurance plans frequently require prior authorization or step therapy
• Many prescribers default to separate Sumatriptan and Naproxen prescriptions instead

The result is a de facto access gap where the drug is available in the supply chain but not on pharmacy shelves.

Why Patients Can't Find It

Understanding the patient experience helps you provide better guidance:

• Chain pharmacies use automated inventory systems that only order medications with consistent local demand. A pharmacy that fills zero Treximet prescriptions per month won't stock it.
• Patients don't know alternatives exist — when they hear "out of stock," many assume it's unavailable everywhere and give up.
• Cost shock — patients who arrive at the pharmacy without discount information may abandon the prescription when they see the price.

What Providers Can Do: 5 Steps

Step 1: Set Expectations at the Point of Prescribing

Before the patient leaves your office, let them know:

• Treximet may not be stocked at their usual pharmacy
• They should ask the pharmacist to order it if it's not on the shelf (typically 1-2 day turnaround)
• Independent pharmacies are often more flexible than chains for special orders

This simple heads-up prevents the frustration of an unexpected "out of stock" message.

Step 2: Direct Patients to Medfinder

Recommend that patients check Medfinder before heading to the pharmacy. Medfinder provides real-time availability data so patients can identify which nearby pharmacies actually have Treximet in stock.

Consider adding Medfinder to your patient handouts or post-visit instructions for medications with known availability challenges.

Step 3: Mention the Manufacturer's Direct Program

Currax Pharmaceuticals offers Treximet directly to patients through treximet.com:

• Authorized generic: $75 or less for 9 tablets
• Brand-name: $99 or less for 9 tablets
• Free shipping included
• Insurance lookup and submission assistance

This bypasses pharmacy stocking issues entirely. Patients just need a valid prescription, which can be sent electronically.

Step 4: Prepare for Prior Authorization

If the patient has insurance that requires PA, be ready with:

• Documentation of previous triptan monotherapy trials and outcomes
• Clinical rationale for why the combination product is preferred (e.g., superior efficacy data, patient adherence)
• Relevant trial data showing Treximet's superiority over Sumatriptan alone for sustained pain-free response

Many EMR systems support integrated PA through CoverMyMeds or similar platforms, which can streamline the process significantly.

Step 5: Have a Backup Plan Ready

If Treximet remains inaccessible, have your alternative ready before the patient encounters the problem:

• Separate prescriptions: Write for generic Sumatriptan 100 mg plus advise OTC Naproxen Sodium 500 mg — same ingredients, under $25 total
• Alternative triptan: Rizatriptan 10 mg (ODT available), Eletriptan 40 mg, or Zolmitriptan 5 mg
• Non-triptan acute therapy: Ubrogepant (Ubrelvy) 50-100 mg or Rimegepant (Nurtec ODT) 75 mg for patients with cardiovascular contraindications

Alternatives to Treximet

When the combination product isn't viable, here are evidence-based alternatives ranked by clinical similarity:

1. Sumatriptan + Naproxen Sodium (separate) — most clinically similar, dramatically lower cost ($5-$25 total)
2. Eletriptan (Relpax) 40 mg — potentially more potent triptan, well-studied for moderate-severe migraine
3. Rizatriptan (Maxalt) 10 mg — fast onset, ODT formulation useful for patients with nausea
4. Ubrogepant (Ubrelvy) 50-100 mg — CGRP antagonist, no vasoconstrictive effects, good for patients who can't use triptans

For a comprehensive comparison, see our patient guide to alternatives to Treximet.

Workflow Tips

Integrating these steps into your clinical workflow can save time for both you and your patients:

• Create a smart phrase or template in your EMR for Treximet-specific patient instructions, including the Medfinder link and treximet.com direct ordering information
• E-prescribe to pharmacies known to stock it — use Medfinder for providers to identify stocking pharmacies in your area
• Include a backup prescription — some providers write a primary prescription for Treximet and a conditional backup for separate Sumatriptan, so the patient has options without needing another office visit
• Flag the medication in your formulary reference as having availability challenges so all prescribers in your practice are aware

Final Thoughts

Treximet is an effective, evidence-based migraine treatment that deserves a place in the prescribing toolkit. The access challenges are real but manageable with the right approach. By setting expectations early, directing patients to Medfinder and manufacturer resources, and having alternatives at the ready, you can ensure your migraine patients get effective treatment without unnecessary delays.

For the latest on Treximet availability and prescribing considerations, see our companion article: Treximet shortage — what providers need to know in 2026. For cost-saving strategies to share with patients, see our guide on helping patients save money on Treximet.