Some people living with migraine take the prescription drug ubrogepant (Ubrelvy) to treat serious, throbbing headaches. Migraine can also trigger other symptoms like feeling sick to your stomach (nausea) and sensitivity to light or sound.
Ubrogepant (pronounced you-BROE'-je-pant) is for migraine with or without aura. The drug is part of a class of medicines known as calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonists.
Here are answers to some of the most common questions about this medication.
How Does Ubrogepant (Ubrelvy) Work?
You take this pill when you feel a migraine attack starting. Ubrogepant works by blocking a protein your body makes called CGRP or calcitonin gene-related peptide. Experts think this protein contributes to migraine attacks. Keep in mind, ubrogepant doesn’t keep migraines from happening or lower the number you have.
Is Ubrogepant (Ubrelvy) a Triptan?
No. Triptans are a class of drugs that stimulate a chemical in the brain called serotonin. They ease swelling and narrow blood vessels, which can help stop a migraine. Ubrogepant is part of a class of drugs known as CGRP receptor antagonists. It’s also the first drug in its class approved for treating acute migraine.
How Long Does It Take for Ubrogepant (Ubrelvy) to Work?
Studies of ubrogepant show most people had relief from migraine pain quickly, and some were pain-free within 2 hours.
How Do You Take Ubrogepant (Ubrelvy)?
You’ll take 50 or 100 milligrams of ubrogepant when you feel a migraine coming on, with or without food. Read the package label closely and follow all directions. If something is unclear, ask your doctor or pharmacist to clarify.
How Often Can You Take Ubrogepant (Ubrelvy)?
If you’ve taken ubrogepant but are still having migraine symptoms 2 hours later, you may be able to take a second dose. But ask your doctor first. You shouldn’t take more than 200 milligrams in a 24-hour period.
If your headaches don’t improve after taking ubrogepant or you have them more often, talk to your doctor. It’s unclear if treating more than eight migraines with ubrogepant in a 30-day period is safe.
Who Makes Ubrogepant (Ubrelvy)?
Pharmaceutical company AbbVie makes Ubrelvy.
How Much Does Ubrogepant (Ubrelvy) Cost?
The cost of Ubrelvy varies depending on your insurance coverage and whether prescription drugs are included. Your insurer may require you to try one or more less-expensive migraine medications before it will cover ubrogepant. Here’s a look at how much you could pay:
- Commercial insurance: As little as $0 a month with a prescription savings card. Contact your insurance company to learn your cost.
- Medicaid: On average, $2.43 for a 30-day supply.
- Medicare Part D: On average, $24 for a 30-day supply.
- No insurance: You’ll pay out of pocket for prescription drugs. If you can’t afford Ubrelvy, the maker of the drug may offer help.
Ubrelvy does not have a generic version.
Will Ubrogepant (Ubrelvy) Help With My Morning Migraine?
You can take ubrogepant any time of day to ease migraine symptoms. People in clinical studies took the drug up to 4 hours after the start of their symptoms.
What Are the Side Effects of Ubrogepant (Ubrelvy)?
You may feel drowsy or sick to your stomach (nausea) after taking ubrogepant. Dry mouth is another less common side effect.
Ubrogepant may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you feel any other out-of-the-ordinary changes while taking this medication. If you have an allergic reaction to ubrogepant, like swelling in your face, mouth, tongue, or throat or trouble breathing, call 911.
What Can You Not Take With Ubrogepant (Ubrelvy)?
Don’t take ubrogepant with certain strong CYP3A4 inhibitors like clarithromycin, itraconazole, or ketoconazole. If you’re unclear whether you take these drugs, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you take other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements, let your doctor know. They may need to change your dose of ubrogepant. Here’s a list of medicines and supplements to watch out for:
- Barbiturates
- Carvedilol (Coreg)
- Ciprofloxacin
- Curcumin
- Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune)
- Eltrombopag (Promacta)
- Fluconazole (Diflucan)
- Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
- Phenobarbital
- Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek)
- Quinidine (in Nuedexta)
- Rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate, Rifater)
- St. John’s wort
- Verapamil (Calan, Verelan, in Tarka)
Other medicines may also change how well ubrogepant works, so talk to your doctor about whether it’s OK to combine drugs. Also, tell your doctor or pharmacist before taking a new drug.
If you drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit, don’t take a second dose or ubrogepant within 24 hours of the first dose.
Is Ubrogepant (Ubrelvy) Available in Canada?
In 2022, Health Canada approved Ubrelvy for adults living with migraine, with or without aura.
