Qulipta
Qulipta (atogepant) is a medication that's used to prevent migraines in adults. The specific dosing will depend on how many migraines you have per month, but the medication is typically taken once daily. Qulipta (atogepant) is currently brand only; it isn't available as a lower-cost generic yet. Side effects include nausea, constipation, and sleepiness.
What is Qulipta (atogepant)?
What is Qulipta (atogepant) used for?
- Prevention of migraines in adults
How Qulipta (atogepant) works
Qulipta (atogepant) is a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor blocker. This means it blocks a protein called CGRP in the brain and nervous system. CGRP is thought to be involved with migraines and causing inflammation and pain. By blocking the protein's activity, Qulipta (atogepant) can help prevent migraine attacks.
Drug facts
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Side effects of Qulipta (atogepant)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Nausea (5-9%)
- Constipation (6-8%)
- Fatigue or sleepiness (4-5%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Low appetite
- Dizziness
Qulipta (atogepant) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious allergic reaction: hives, rash, blisters, skin reddening, swelling of the lips or tongue, difficulty breathing
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The following Qulipta (atogepant) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions or angioedema—skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs, trouble swallowing or breathing
- Increase in blood pressure
- Raynaud syndrome—cool, numb, or painful fingers or toes that may change color from pale, to blue, to red
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Constipation
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
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Pros and cons of Qulipta (atogepant)
Pros
- Taken once per day
- Can take with or without food
- Can use if you have mild-to-moderate liver problems
Cons
- Not used for treating a migraine attack
- Unknown whether it's safe or works well in children
- Hasn't been studied in pregnant women
Pharmacist tips for Qulipta (atogepant)
- Make sure to attend all of your follow-up appointments so your provider can determine whether the prescribed dose of Qulipta (atogepant) is working for you.
- You can take Qulipta (atogepant) with or without food. If it's hurting your stomach, sometimes taking it with food can help.
- Qulipta (atogepant) can make you feel sleepy or dizzy. Be sure you know how this medication affects you before driving or doing anything that requires a lot of attention.
- It might be a good idea to limit or avoid drinking alcohol while you're taking Qulipta (atogepant). Both alcohol and Qulipta (atogepant) can cause sleepiness and dizziness. In addition, alcohol can raise your risk for migraines.
- Let your provider know if you eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice regularly because they might need to adjust your Qulipta (atogepant) dose. Grapefruit can raise the amount of medication in your body, which puts you at higher risk for side effects like nausea, constipation, and sleepiness.
- Make sure to tell your provider about all the medications you're taking before starting Qulipta (atogepant). This includes over-the-counter (OTC) medications and herbal supplements. Don't start any new medications while taking Qulipta (atogepant) without talking to your provider or pharmacist first. Qulipta (atogepant) interacts with a lot of medications, such as rifampin (Rifadin), carbamazepine (Tegretol), and clarithromycin. Your provider and pharmacist can check for any dangerous interactions and adjust your medications accordingly so that they're safe for you.
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Common questions about Qulipta (atogepant)
In clinical studies lasting about 3 months, people taking Qulipta (atogepant) had 1 to 2 fewer migraine days and headache days per month than those who took placebo. They also had 1 to 2 fewer days per month of needing to take medication to treat migraine attacks. Qulipta (atogepant) can work for everyone differently, so have regular conversations with your provider so they can help you find the dose that works best for you.
No, Qulipta (atogepant) isn't a narcotic. Narcotics typically refer to opioid medications. Qulipta (atogepant) isn't an opioid pain medication. Instead, it belongs to a class of medications called calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor blockers.
You should take Qulipta (atogepant) by mouth once per day at the same time every day with or without food. Qulipta (atogepant) is only used for preventing migraines over time, not treating them, so don't take extra Qulipta (atogepant) doses to treat a migraine when you have one. Ask your provider if you need a medication that treats migraine attacks.
You can take Qulipta (atogepant) at any time of the day. If Qulipta (atogepant) is making you sleepy or dizzy and is affecting your daily activities, taking it at night before you sleep might help.
In clinical studies, some people taking Qulipta (atogepant) saw benefit as early as 1 day after starting the medication. In general, people started to see improvements over the first few weeks of treatment. So if you don't see any improvement soon after you start Qulipta (atogepant), it's important to continue taking the medication every day to help prevent migraines in the long run.
Qulipta (atogepant) can lower your appetite, which can sometimes lead to weight loss. In studies, about 3% to 5% of people taking Qulipta (atogepant) lost at least 7% of their baseline body weight (their weight before they started taking the medication). But it's important to note that Qulipta (atogepant) isn't approved as a weight loss medication and shouldn't be used as such. Make sure to follow a healthy and balanced diet while you're taking Qulipta (atogepant). Contact your provider if you're concerned about any changes in weight that you have while taking the medication.
No. Qulipta (atogepant), Ubrelvy (ubrogepant), and Nurtec (rimegepant) are all calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor blockers, so only one of them should be taken at a time. Your provider will decide whether Qulipta (atogepant) or another CGRP receptor blocker is right for you. If you're prescribed one of these medications and they aren't working well enough to prevent migraines, let your provider know. They can prescribe you another migraine medication from a different class, such as a triptan, to take with Qulipta (atogepant) to help treat migraines when they happen.
All three medications work similarly and are brand-name-only medications. The first main difference among them is what they're used for. Qulipta (atogepant) is used to prevent migraines, Ubrelvy (ubrogepant) is used to treat migraines when they happen, and Nurtec (rimegepant) is used for both prevention and treatment of migraines. Nurtec is taken every other day for migraine prevention, whereas Qulipta (atogepant) is taken once every day. Another difference is that Nurtec (rimegepant) is available as an orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) that's placed on your tongue and dissolved, while Qulipta (atogepant) and Ubrelvy are both available as tablets that are swallowed whole. Discuss with your provider about which medication best fits your needs.
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Risks and warnings for Qulipta (atogepant)
Qulipta (atogepant) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Allergic reactions
Allergic reactions to Qulipta (atogepant) are possible. These reactions can include facial swelling, shock, and anaphylaxis (closing of the throat), and they can sometimes be life-threatening. Reactions can happen days after you take Qulipta (atogepant). If you notice dizziness, a choking sensation, difficulty breathing, nausea, swelling around your eyes, or swelling of the lips or tongue after using Qulipta (atogepant), get medical attention right away.
Qulipta (atogepant) dosage
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10mg | 30 tablets | $1,106.16 | $36.87 |
| 30mg | 30 tablets | $1,115.08 | $37.17 |
| 60mg | 30 tablets | $1,105.11 | $36.84 |
Typical dosage for Qulipta (atogepant)
- Episodic migraines (migraines that occur on fewer than 15 days per month): The typical dose is 10 mg, 30 mg, or 60 mg by mouth once per day.
- Chronic migraines (migraines that occur on 15 or more days per month): The typical dose is 60 mg by mouth once per day.
Your dose might differ depending on whether you're taking another medication that interacts with Qulipta (atogepant) and whether you have kidney problems.
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How much does Qulipta (atogepant) cost?
$1,105.11
What are alternatives to Qulipta (atogepant)?
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