Key takeaways:
Nurtec ODT (rimegepant) is an oral medication that can prevent and treat migraine headaches in adults. It’s generally well tolerated and has few side effects.
Mild Nurtec ODT side effects include nausea, stomach pain, and indigestion. These usually go away on their own.
Very rarely, people have experienced allergic reactions after taking Nurtec ODT. Get immediate medical help if you notice difficulty breathing or swelling of the tongue, mouth, or throat.
Some people have reported raised blood pressure and Raynaud’s phenomenon (numb fingers and toes) while taking Nurtec ODT. While rare, both of these side effects should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
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If you’ve ever experienced a severe headache often accompanied by vision changes, nausea, and severe pain, you’re not alone. Migraines are a common health condition. Fortunately, there are several options available to treat and prevent migraines. Nurtec ODT (rimegepant) is one example.
Nurtec ODT is used to prevent and treat migraines. It belongs to a group of medications called calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonists. Nurtec is an orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) that dissolves in the mouth and starts working within 15 minutes.
As with all medications, Nurtec ODT can cause side effects. But overall, it’s very well tolerated.
Nurtec ODT side effects at a glance
Side effects are relatively uncommon with Nurtec ODT. In clinical trials, even the most common side effects happened to less than 3% of people taking it. So it’s possible you may take this medication and have no issues.
Mild Nurtec ODT side effects include:
Nausea
Stomach pain
Indigestion
Rare, but more serious Nurtec ODT risks and side effects include:
Allergic reactions
Raised blood pressure
Raynaud’s phenomenon
Talk to your healthcare team if you experience bothersome Nurtec ODT side effects at any point. They can help you decide if the medication’s benefits outweigh its risks. In some cases, your prescriber may recommend switching to another migraine medication.
We’ll discuss six Nurtec ODT side effects in more detail below.
1. Nausea
Nausea is a common side effect of many medications, including Nurtec ODT. And it’s the most frequently reported side effect for both Nurtec ODT dosages (treatment and prevention). But, nausea is still pretty uncommon, with less than 3% of people experiencing it during clinical trials.
If you experience nausea while taking Nurtec ODT, making small lifestyle changes may help. Taking your dose with food and staying well hydrated are good things to try first. Eating smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day and avoiding spicy or high-fat foods are other suggestions you can try.
How do you take Nurtec ODT? The standard dosages for Nurtec ODT (rimegepant) depend on whether you’re using it for migraine treatment or prevention.
Can you eat grapefruit with Nurtec ODT? Pharmacists review the top Nurtec ODT interactions you should know about.
Nurtec ODT alternatives: Nurtec ODT is one of many medications in its class. Read more about CGRP receptor antagonists and how they differ from each other.
Good to know: Nausea is also a possible symptom of migraines. So it may not be coming from Nurtec ODT. If your nausea seems severe or doesn’t go away, contact your prescriber. They may suggest changes to your current migraine medication(s).
2. Stomach pain
Some people taking Nurtec ODT experience stomach pain. Most of the time, it’s mild and short-lived. In clinical trials, more people taking Nurtec ODT for migraine prevention reported stomach pain than those taking it for migraine treatment. But similar to nausea, this side effect still isn’t very common overall.
In addition to the tips for managing nausea, lying down or resting may help with stomach pain. But if your pain is severe or doesn’t go away, make sure to let your healthcare team know. They may want to evaluate your pain for other possible causes.
3. Indigestion
Indigestion is another mild Nurtec ODT side effect. Symptoms may include bloating, burping, or feeling full quickly when eating. And they can be quite uncomfortable.
Thankfully, there are several ways that you can manage indigestion at home. Try avoiding or cutting down on foods or drinks that make symptoms worse, such as caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated beverages. You can also ask your healthcare team about over-the-counter indigestion medications, such as Gas-X (simethicone).
If your indigestion doesn’t get better, or is just too bothersome, let your healthcare team know.
4. Allergic reactions
Allergic reactions are different from side effects. But it’s still good to know that they may happen. Very rarely, Nurtec ODT can cause allergic reactions. These reactions can range from mild to serious. Mild symptoms could include skin rashes. More serious reactions may include difficulty breathing and swelling of the mouth, face, or throat.
These symptoms often show up within minutes to hours of taking Nurtec ODT. But in some cases, an allergic reaction can occur days after taking Nurtec ODT.
Allergic reactions to Nurtec ODT always warrant medical attention. Stop taking Nurtec ODT and contact your healthcare team if you start to develop signs of a mild allergic reaction. Your prescriber will likely switch you to another migraine medication. But if you develop serious symptoms, such as shortness of breath or swelling in your face, call 911 or go to the closest ER.
5. Raised blood pressure
Some people taking Nurtec ODT have reported a rise in blood pressure. People have also experienced a worsening of existing high blood pressure (hypertension). Some of these people already had risk factors for high blood pressure, but others did not. In some cases, they needed medication or even hospitalization to manage their high blood pressure.
Raised blood pressure was not seen in Nurtec ODT’s clinical trials. It was reported to the FDA by people taking the medication after it was approved by the agency.
This reporting process is called postmarketing surveillance. And it can be helpful for discovering side effects that are missed during clinical trials. But this doesn’t mean that every symptom reported is a confirmed side effect. So researchers don’t know for sure if Nurtec ODT definitely causes raised blood pressure.
People taking Nurtec ODT most often reported raised blood pressure within 1 week of starting the medication, but it can happen at any time. Ask your prescriber if you should check your blood pressure at home while taking Nurtec ODT, especially when you first start it.
6. Raynaud’s phenomenon
Raynaud’s phenomenon is another symptom reported through postmarketing surveillance by people taking Nurtec ODT. Raynaud’s phenomenon is a condition where some parts of the body, usually the fingers and toes, become very cold and numb in response to cold temperatures or stress. It happens because the small blood vessels in those areas narrow, reducing blood flow.
Some people experienced new or worsening Raynaud’s phenomenon symptoms after using CGRP receptor antagonists, including Nurtec ODT. In reported cases, symptoms usually started 1 to 2 days after taking the medication. Many of these cases resulted in serious complications, including hospital stays and long-lasting pain. In most situations, symptoms went away after the CGRP receptor antagonist was stopped.
Seek medical help if you develop Raynaud’s phenomenon symptoms after taking Nurtec ODT. Your prescriber may want you to take a different migraine medication. Symptoms may include pain, tingling, and changes in skin color. Usually, symptoms happen in fingers and toes, but they can also occur in your ears, nose, or lips.
Frequently asked questions
No, Nurtec ODT isn’t known to cause significant weight changes. While weight gain or loss can happen with some migraine medications, this doesn’t seem to be the case with Nurtec ODT. Weight changes were not reported by people taking Nurtec ODT during clinical trials or postmarketing surveillance.
Clinical studies haven’t found Nurtec ODT to cause any serious long-term side effects. Side effects are uncommon and generally mild. All side effects, even serious ones, usually go away after the medication wears off.
Nurtec ODT shouldn’t cause drowsiness. People taking it in clinical trials didn’t report feeling sleepy. But it’s common to feel tired during the “postdrome” phase of a migraine (after the main symptoms start to fade). If you notice excessive drowsiness following a migraine or after taking Nurtec ODT, let your prescriber know. They can help you figure out the cause and the next steps you can take.
No, Nurtec ODT isn’t known to cause significant weight changes. While weight gain or loss can happen with some migraine medications, this doesn’t seem to be the case with Nurtec ODT. Weight changes were not reported by people taking Nurtec ODT during clinical trials or postmarketing surveillance.
Clinical studies haven’t found Nurtec ODT to cause any serious long-term side effects. Side effects are uncommon and generally mild. All side effects, even serious ones, usually go away after the medication wears off.
Nurtec ODT shouldn’t cause drowsiness. People taking it in clinical trials didn’t report feeling sleepy. But it’s common to feel tired during the “postdrome” phase of a migraine (after the main symptoms start to fade). If you notice excessive drowsiness following a migraine or after taking Nurtec ODT, let your prescriber know. They can help you figure out the cause and the next steps you can take.
The bottom line
Nurtec ODT (rimegepant) is an oral medication that’s FDA approved to treat and prevent migraines. Mild Nurtec ODT side effects include nausea, stomach pain, and indigestion. These side effects usually resolve on their own. Rarely, Nurtec ODT can cause allergic reactions. And some people taking the medication have reported more severe side effects, such as raised blood pressure or Raynaud’s phenomenon.
Talk to your healthcare team if you have any concerns about Nurtec ODT side effects. They can help you decide if this migraine medication is the best choice for you.
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References
American Migraine Foundation. (2018). Migraine hangover.
Croop, R., et al. (2020). Long-term safety of rimegepant 75 mg for the acute treatment of migraine. Neurology.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2025). Eating, diet, and nutrition for indigestion. National Institutes of Health.
Pavlovic, J., et al. (2020). Rimegepant 75 mg provides early and sustained relief of migraine with a single dose: Results from 3 phase 3 clinical trials. Neurology.
Pfizer Laboratories Division Pfizer. (2025). Nurtec ODT - rimegepant sulfate tablet, orally disintegrating [package insert]. DailyMed.
Taylor, F. R. (2008). Weight change associated with the use of migraine-preventive medications. Clinical Therapeutics.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2020). Postmarketing surveillance programs.
