How to Take Nurtec ODT (Plus 4 More Pharmacist-Backed Tips)
Key takeaways:
Nurtec ODT (rimegepant) is a prescription medication used to treat and prevent migraines. The dosage varies based on what you’re taking it for. And you can’t take it to both treat and prevent migraines at the same time.
Nurtec ODT comes as an orally disintegrating tablet that you dissolve on or under your tongue. You shouldn’t crush or chew it, and you shouldn’t swallow the tablets whole. You may be able to take Nurtec ODT with other migraine medications, but make sure your prescriber OKs it first.
There are ways to save on Nurtec ODT. If you’re eligible, a manufacturer savings card can help you get Nurtec ODT for as little as $0 per month.
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Table of contents
Nurtec ODT (rimegepant) is an oral calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist. It blocks the effects of a protein called CGRP that contributes to migraine headaches.
It’s important to understand how to take Nurtec ODT to get the most from your medication. Here are five pharmacist-backed tips to get you started.
1. Here’s how to take Nurtec ODT the right way
Nurtec ODT is an orally disintegrating tablet. This means that it’s designed to dissolve either on or under your tongue. This allows the medication to be absorbed directly into your bloodstream through your mouth, which helps it start working faster.
To take Nurtec ODT correctly, peel back the foil covering the blister pack and remove the tablet with dry hands. Don’t try to push the tablet through the foil, as it will crumble. After removing the tablet, place it on or under your tongue and allow it to dissolve (this should only take a second or two). You can swallow normally once the tablet has completely dissolved.
You shouldn’t swallow a Nurtec ODT tablet whole. Swallowing the tablet whole changes how it’s absorbed. This can delay when it starts working or make it less effective.
2. You can take Nurtec ODT to prevent migraines as well as to treat them
Nurtec ODT is unique because it can both treat and prevent migraines. The dosage changes based on why you’re taking it. But you can’t take Nurtec ODT for migraine prevention and treatment at the same time.
To treat a migraine, take Nurtec ODT at the first sign of a migraine attack. You shouldn’t take more than 1 tablet in a 24-hour period.
For migraine prevention, the usual Nurtec ODT dosage is 1 tablet every other day. This may be harder to keep track of, but a medication organizer can help — just be sure to keep the tablets inside their individual blister packs. You can also try a medication reminder app to help you remember which days to take the medication.
Good to know: You shouldn’t take more than 18 doses of Nurtec ODT in a 1-month period to treat migraines. If you’re using it frequently, talk to your prescriber about switching to the dosage for preventing migraines. Or ask about other treatment options.
3. Taking Nurtec ODT with food can help prevent nausea
Nausea is the most common Nurtec ODT side effect. It’s also a common migraine symptom.
Eating something before or after you dissolve Nurtec ODT in your mouth can help prevent nausea. It’s best to have a small, bland snack, such as crackers or toast. Avoid greasy or spicy foods, which can make nausea worse. You should also avoid large, high-fat meals with Nurtec ODT, which can slow down how fast it works.
What side effects can happen while taking Nurtec ODT? Here are common and rare Nurtec ODT side effects to consider and tips for how to manage them.
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 antagonists and how they differ from each other.
If your nausea doesn’t get better over time or becomes severe, contact your prescriber. They can help determine the cause and how to manage it. They may recommend an antiemetic medication to treat it.
4. You can take Nurtec ODT with other migraine medications if your prescriber OKs it
Depending on your migraine history, your healthcare team may recommend taking other migraine medications along with Nurtec ODT.
If you’re taking Nurtec ODT to treat migraines, you can take a different medication to help prevent them, including:
Beta blockers, such as propranolol
Antiepileptics, such as topiramate
Antidepressants, such as amitriptyline
Botox (botulinum toxin)
If you’re taking Nurtec ODT to prevent migraines, you can take other medications to treat a migraine, including:
Triptans, such as Imitrex (sumatriptan) and Relpax (eletriptan)
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as Advil (ibuprofen) and Aleve (naproxen)
Injectable CGRP inhibitors, such as Aimovig (erenumab), work differently than Nurtec ODT. There’s some research that suggests combining Nurtec ODT with one of these medications may be effective. But we don’t know for sure yet if it’s safe.
Keep in mind that these combinations may not be safe for everyone. Your healthcare team can provide guidance on what medications are safe for you, based on how you’re taking Nurtec ODT and your personal history.
5. Be sure to store Nurtec ODT in a cool, dry place
Nurtec ODT should be stored at room temperature in a cool, dry place. Moist conditions may dissolve Nurtec ODT inside the packaging. So don’t keep it in areas that can get hot or humid, such as your bathroom or vehicle.
You should also keep Nurtec ODT tablets sealed inside their blister packs until you’re ready to take a dose. The tablets are fragile and can easily crumble or dissolve if they’re removed from the protective packaging.
Tips for saving on Nurtec ODT
There are ways to save on Nurtec ODT, which is only available as a brand-name medication. If you have commercial insurance, you may pay as little as $0 per month for Nurtec ODT using a copay savings card from the manufacturer.
The bottom line
Nurtec ODT (rimegepant) is a medication that both treats and prevents migraines. For treatment, you’ll take Nurtec ODT when you begin to feel migraine symptoms. To prevent migraines, you’ll take Nurtec ODT every other day. You can’t take it for both uses at the same time.
Regardless of which dosage schedule you’re following, it’s important to know how to take Nurtec ODT the right way. It’s a tablet that’s designed to dissolve in your mouth, on or under your tongue. So you shouldn’t crush or chew it, and you shouldn’t swallow it whole. Make sure to keep the tablets in their packaging until it's time for your doses.
You may be able to take Nurtec ODT with other migraine medications, but make sure your prescriber OKs it first.
Why trust our experts?
References
Ghourichay, M. P., et al. (2021). Formulation and quality control of orally disintegrating tablets (ODTS): Recent advances and perspectives. BioMed Research International.
Lew, C., et al. (2023). Migraine medications. StatPearls.
Pfizer Laboratories Div Pfizer Inc. (2023). Nurtec ODT- rimegepant sulfate tablet, orally disintegrating [package insert].
Shah, T., et al. (2023). Calcitonin gene relating peptide inhibitors in combination for migraine treatment: A mini-review. Frontiers in Pain Research.
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