Skip to main content

Is Ubrelvy a triptan?

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on July 31, 2023.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

No, Ubrelvy is not a triptan, it belongs to the class of medicines known as CGRP inhibitors. CGRP stands for calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonists (also known as gepants) and Ubrelvy works by preventing CGRP from attaching to CGRP receptors on nerve endings. CGRP is a protein that is thought to play a role in migraine attacks by causing pain, dilation of blood vessels, and inflammation. By preventing CGRP from binding to its receptor, Ubrelvy stops migraine pain and other symptoms.

Triptans, such as sumatriptan and rizatriptan, are thought to work by binding to serotonin 5‑HT1B/1D receptors, inhibiting pro-inflammatory substances and constricting cranial blood vessels. They work in a different way to CGRP inhibitors.

References

Ubrelvy Patient tips. Updated 02/2021. Drugs.com. https://www.drugs.com/tips/ubrelvy-patient-tips

Read next

Ubrelvy, Qulipta and Nurtec ODT are all medicines used by adults for migraines. They are all from the same group of medicines often called gepants but their full name is calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist. Continue reading

Ubrelvy and Imitrex are both oral tablets used to treat migraine, but there are differences in the way they work. Ubrelvy prevents a protein called CGRP thought to play a role in migraine attacks from binding to its receptor and Imitrex is thought to bind to serotonin 5‑HT1B/1D receptors, and inhibit pro-inflammatory substances Although no head-to-head comparison trials compare Ubrelvy to Imitrex, indirect evidence suggests that overall, Ubrelvy is no more effective, and may be inferior to Imitrex at relieving migraine in adults who are able to tolerate triptans. For those adults with moderate-to-severe migraine attacks that cannot tolerate triptans or who have found them ineffective, Ubrelvy is beneficial for treating migraines compared to no treatment. Ubrelvy is associated with fewer side effects than Imitrex, but is more expensive, costing almost twice as much. Continue reading

Some patients may not be able to use NSAIDs or triptans to treat acute migraine headaches due to side effects or health conditions. In these circumstances, newer agents like Ubrelvy (ubrogepant), a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antagonist, may be an appropriate option. Continue reading

Related medical questions

Drug information

Related support groups

Medical Disclaimer