Ubrogepant
Generic name: ubrogepant
Brand name: Ubrelvy
Dosage form: tablet
Drug class: CGRP inhibitors
What is ubrogepant?
Ubrogepant is a tablet used by adults to treat migraine headaches, it does not prevent migraines.
It was approved by the FDA in 2019 as studies showed that two hours after patients took ubrogepant, they had less pain and more freedom from their most bothersome migraine symptoms (eg. nausea, light sensitivity and sound sensitivity), when compared to other patients taking a placebo (dummy pill).
It is from the class of drugs called calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonists. CGRP is a protein in the nerve endings that is involved in pain and migraines. Ubrogepant blocks the CGRP protein from attaching to the nerve endings and so decreases the pain and migraine symptoms
What is ubrogepant used for?
- ubrogepant is a prescription medicine used for the acute treatment of migraine attacks with or without aura in adults.
- it is not used to prevent migraine headaches.
- It is not known if this medicine is safe and effective in children.
Who should not take ubrogepant ?
Do not take ubrogepant if you are taking medicines known as a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, such as:
- ketoconazole
- clarithromycin
- itraconazole
Ask your healthcare provider if you are not sure if you are taking any of these medicines. Your healthcare provider can tell you if it is safe to take ubrogepant with other medicines.
What should I tell my doctor before taking ubrogepant ?
Before you take ubrogepant tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- have liver problems
- have kidney problems
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if ubrogepant will harm your unborn baby.
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if ubrogepant passes into your breast milk.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. See the interactions section below about specific medications that interact with ubrogepant.
How should I take ubrogepant ?
Take ubrogepant exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it.
You can take your ubrogepant tablet with or without food.
Most patients can take a second tablet 2 hours after the first tablet, as needed.
You should not take a second tablet within 24 hours if you consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice or are taking medications that may include:
- Verapamil
- Cyclosporine
- Ciprofloxacin
- Fluconazole
- fluvoxamine
It is not known if it is safe to take ubrogepant for more than 8 migraine headaches in 30 days.
You should write down when you have headaches and when you take ubrogepant so you can talk to your healthcare provider about how ubrogepant is working for you.
If you take too much ubrogepant, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.
What are the side effects of ubrogepant?
The most common side effects of ubrogepant are nausea and sleepiness.
These are not all of the possible side effects of this medicine. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Related/similar drugs
Nurtec Odt
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Interactions
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take any of the following, as your healthcare provider may need to change the dose of ubrogepant:
- Verapamil
- cyclosporine
- ciprofloxacin
- Fluconazole
- fluvoxamine
- Phenytoin
- Barbiturates
- Rifampin
- St. John’s Wort
- Quinidine
- Carvedilol
- Eltrombopag
- curcumin
These are not all of the medicines that could affect how ubrogepant works. Your healthcare provider can tell you if it is safe to take ubrogepant with other medicines.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Pregnancy: Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if ubrogepant will harm your unborn baby.
Breastfeeding: Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if ubrogepant passes into your breast milk.
Storage
How should I store ubrogepant?
- Store ubrogepant at room temperature between 68ºF to 77ºF (20ºC to 25ºC).
- Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
What are the ingredients in ubrogepant?
Active ingredient: ubrogepant
Ubrelvy Inactive ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone vinyl acetate copolymer, sodium chloride, sodium stearyl fumarate, and vitamin E polyethylene glycol succinate.
Ubrelvy is Manufactured by: Forest Laboratories Ireland Ltd., Dublin, Ireland
Ubrelvy is Distributed by: Allergan USA, Inc. Madison, NJ 07940
Popular FAQ
How do Ubrelvy, Qulipta and Nurtec compare for migraines?
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 vs Imitrex (sumatriptan): How do they compare?
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
Is Ubrelvy a narcotic used for migraine?
Ubrelvy is not classified as a narcotic (opioid) and is not a controlled substance. Ubrelvy is a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist that helps to relieve pain and inflammation associated with acute migraine headaches. Ubrelvy is not used for the prevention of migraine headaches. It is available in oral tablet form. Continue reading
What is the mechanism of action for Ubrelvy?
The mechanism of action for Ubrelvy (generic name: ubrogepant) involves the blockade of a nerve protein called calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) that contributes to migraine headache pain. Ubrelvy is used to treat an acute migraine, with or without auras, once it starts. It is not used to prevent a migraine. Continue reading
More FAQ
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- Ubrelvy vs Emgality: How do they compare for migraines?
- How do you take Ubrelvy tablets?
References
More about ubrogepant
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- During pregnancy
- Drug class: CGRP inhibitors
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