Qulipta Dosages: Your GoodRx Guide

Qulipta (atogepant) is an oral medication used to prevent migraines in adults. It works by blocking a protein called calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the brain. High levels of CGRP can promote inflammation and other processes that cause or contribute to migraines. Qulipta can help prevent migraines, but it doesn’t work to stop an attack that’s already happening.

Qulipta is taken once daily and can be very effective at reducing the frequency of migraines. You may start to feel better as soon as 1 week after starting Qulipta, but it may take up to 1 to 3 months to experience the medication’s full benefits.

Below, we’ll discuss typical Qulipta dosing for adults, when and why your dose might need to be changed, and steps to take if you miss a dose or accidentally take too much.

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What’s the typical Qulipta dosage for adults?

The typical Qulipta dosage for adults ranges from 10 mg to 60 mg daily, depending on how often you get migraines. It’s available as 10 mg, 30 mg, and 60 mg oral tablets. Qulipta can be taken with or without food.

To prevent episodic migraines, or migraines that happen fewer than 15 days a month, there are several different doses of Qulipta that can be used:

• 10 mg once a day

• 30 mg once a day

• 60 mg once a day

Your prescriber will decide which Qulipta dosing regimen is most appropriate for you. It’s common to start with the lowest dose of the medication (10 mg) and increase the dose over time, if necessary, to better prevent your episodic migraines.

The recommended dose to prevent chronic migraines is 60 mg once a day. People who experience chronic migraines have migraine attacks more than 15 days a month.

Good to know: Qulipta isn’t FDA approved to prevent migraines in kids or teens. It’s only approved for adults.

Are there any dosage adjustments for medical conditions?

Yes, there are certain medical conditions where you may need to take a different dose of Qulipta. In some cases, it may not be safe for you to take Qulipta at all.

If you have kidney or liver problems, Qulipta may take longer to leave your system. A lower dose of the medication is sometimes needed to avoid medication buildup in your body. This is important to prevent potentially problematic side effects, such as nausea or constipation.

Dose adjustments aren’t just recommended for people with severe liver and kidney problems, though. Some medications can also affect how quickly your liver breaks down other medications. If you’re taking a medication that does this, your prescriber may adjust your dose of Qulipta.

Dosage for people with kidney problems

People with mild or moderate kidney problems don’t need to take a different dose of Qulipta. But, if you’ve been told you have severe kidney problems or end-stage renal (kidney) disease, you shouldn’t take more than 10 mg of Qulipta a day.

A low 10 mg dose isn’t a good option for all types of headache pain though. It’s only an option for episodic migraine prevention. Qulipta isn’t recommended at all for people that have chronic migraines and severe kidney disease.

Dosage for people with liver problems

No dose adjustments are needed with Qulipta if you have mild or moderate liver problems. But if you have severe liver issues, it’s best to avoid taking Qulipta altogether.

Dosage for people taking interacting medications

Many medications can interact with Qulipta. The main ones to look out for are CYP3A4 inhibitors, CYP3A4 inducers, and OATP inhibitors. These are medication classifications that your pharmacist is familiar with.

Some of these medications can increase Qulipta levels in your body. They inhibit, or slow down, how fast it’s broken down, which worsens the risk of side effects. But some of them do the opposite. They induce, or accelerate, how quickly it's removed from your system. So, taking Qulipta with them can lower the amount of Qulipta in your body. This sets the stage for a less effective treatment.

If you take one of these medications or products, you may need a lower dose of Qulipta. You may be asked to take a lower, 10 mg dose or avoid the combination altogether:

• Antifungals, such as ketoconazole or voriconazole (Vfend)

• Antivirals, such as ritonavir (Norvir) or cobicistat (Tybost)

• Certain cancer medications, such as idelalisib (Zykadia) or ceritinib (Zydelig)

• Blood pressure medications, such as verapamil (Calan SR, Verelan) or diltiazem (Cardizem)

• Antibiotics, such as clarithromycin (Biaxin XL)

• Grapefruit or grapefruit juice

These interacting medications may also prompt your prescriber to have you take a lower dose of Qulipta. It’s generally best to stick to a 10 mg or 30 mg dose:

• Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Sandimmune)

• Quinidine

These medications and supplements can make Qulipta less effective, so you may be asked to take a higher 30 mg or 60 mg dose:

• Rifampin

• St. John’s wort

• Antiandrogen medications, such as apalutamide (Erleada) or enzalutamide (Xtandi)

• Targeted anticancer medications, such as ivosidenib (Tibsovo) or dabrafenib (Tafinlar)

• Antiseizure medications, such as phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek) or carbamazepine (Tegretol, Equetro)

Remember, this list doesn’t include all possible medications that can interact with Qulipta. Make sure to let your prescriber and pharmacist know about any medications you’re currently taking or plan to take in the future. This will ensure that your Qulipta treatment continues to be safe and effective.

What happens if you miss a dose of Qulipta?

If you forget to take a dose of Qulipta, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one and just stick to your regular schedule. Never double up on your dose to make up for the one you missed. Missing one dose of Qulipta isn’t going to make a huge difference in your migraine management, but taking two doses at once may be harmful.

What should you do if you take too much Qulipta?

If you take too much Qulipta, let your healthcare team know right away. You can also contact Poison Control online or at 1-800-222-1222 for guidance.

If you develop symptoms that are worrisome or you start to feel dizzy, have a hard time breathing, or develop swelling on any part of your face, call 911 or seek emergency care right away.

How to save on Qulipta

There are ways to save on Qulipta, which is only available as a brand-name medication. GoodRx can help you navigate between patient assistance programs and copay savings cards to save money on your prescription.

• Save with a copay savings card. If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $0 per month for Qulipta using a savings card from the manufacturer.

• Save with patient assistance programs. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Qulipta’s patient assistance program, which offers the medication free of charge.

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Written by:

Vanessa Carranza, PharmD

Vanessa Carranza, PharmD, is a pharmacist who has dedicated her career to the advancement of medical education for healthcare providers, patients, and caregivers, most notably in the oncology space.

Edited by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

Reviewed by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

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