All About Nurtec ODT

What is Nurtec ODT?

If you have migraine, your doctor may suggest treatment with Nurtec ODT. It’s a prescription drug that’s used in adults to:

• prevent migraine headaches due to episodic migraine
• As the episodes occur, treat them.

For more information on how Nurtec ODT is used for these purposes, see the “Is Nurtec ODT used for migraine?” section below.

Nurtec ODT basics

rimegepant is an active ingredient in the ODT. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.

This drug belongs to a class of medications called calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibitors. A drug class is a group of medications that work in a similar way.

You can place the tablets under your tongue to make them dissolving.

“The drug’s side effects, uses, cost, and more are included in the information you read.”

What are Nurtec ODT’s side effects?

Mild or serious side effects may occur in adults with Nurtec ODT. Some of the more common side effects of Nurtec ODT are described in the lists below. All possible side effects are not included in these lists.

Side effects of a drug can depend on other factors.

• Your age.
• You have other health conditions.
• You take other drugs.

For more information on the side effects of Nurtec ODT, see this article. Your doctor or pharmacist can also discuss the drug’s side effects with you and suggest ways to help ease them.

Mild side effects

Here’s a short list of some of the mild side effects that Nurtec ODT can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Nurtec ODT’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of ODT have been reported.

• nausea
• There is belly pain.
• upset stomach
• mild allergic reaction*

The side effect is described in the section “Allergic reaction”.

The side effects of many drugs can be gone in a few days. If they become intolerable, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

There are serious side effects from Nurtec ODT, but they are not common. If you have serious side effects from the drug, call your doctor. If you think you have a medical emergency, you should call the emergency number.

The only serious side effect reported in studies of Nurtec ODT was severe allergic reaction. To learn more about this side effect, see the “Allergic reaction” section below.

Allergic reaction

Some people may have an allergic reaction to Nurtec ODT. But this side effect was rare in the drug’s studies.

A mild allergic reaction can include some symptoms.

• There is a skin rash.
• It is itchy.
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
• The breath was very thin.

A more severe allergic reaction is not uncommon. A severe allergic reaction can cause swelling under your skin, usually in your lips, hands, or feet. They can include swelling of your mouth, throat, and tongue, which can cause trouble breathing.

If you have an allergic reaction to Nurtec ODT, call your doctor. If you think you have a medical emergency, call the emergency number.

Is Nurtec ODT used for migraine?

The uses of Nurtec ODT are prescribed for adults.

• to prevent migraine headaches due to episodic migraine
• to As the episodes occur, treat them.

About migraine

Migraine is a long-term condition. Migraine episodes can cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, and difficulty speaking. Sensitivity to light and sound are some of the symptoms.

Migraine can be a chronic condition. A person with migraines has headaches less than 15 days a month. A person with chronic migraines has headaches for at least 3 months.

It is not known what causes the headaches or why some people are affected. It is believed that the brain has abnormal chemical and electrical signaling.

About Nurtec ODT

Lowering the risk of headaches from scurvy is possible with the use of Nurtec ODT. It is not used for this purpose in people with chronic migraines. The drug can be used to treat migraines in adults.

Nurtec ODT treats or prevents migraine by blocking the actions of a protein called calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Among other actions, CGRP causes blood vessels in your head to widen, which is thought to lead to migraine symptoms.

What are some frequently asked questions about Nurtec ODT?

Answers to some questions about Nurtec ODT are listed below.

How does Nurtec ODT compare with the alternatives Ubrelvy, Imitrex, and Maxalt?

The table below lists basic information comparing Nurtec ODT with the migraine drugs Ubrelvy, Imitrex, and Maxalt or Maxalt-MLT. To learn more about which of these drugs is the right treatment option for you, talk with your pharmacist or doctor.

* An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.
† For more details about Nurtec ODT’s uses, see the “Is Nurtec ODT used for migraine?” section above.

What is Nurtec ODT’s mechanism of action?

The mechanism of action is what the drug works on.

Nurtec ODT treats or prevents migraine by blocking the actions of a protein called calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Among other actions, CGRP causes blood vessels in your head to widen, which is thought to lead to migraine symptoms.

If you want to learn more about the mechanism of action, you should talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Can Nurtec ODT be used to treat cluster headaches?

The FDA does not approve the use of Nurtec ODT to treat cluster headaches.

Certain drugs approved to treat migraine may also be approved to treat cluster headaches. An example is galcanezumab-gnlm (Emgality). And other migraine drugs, such as erenumab-aooe (Aimovig), may be used off-label for this condition. “Off-label” refers to prescribing a drug to treat a condition that it hasn’t been approved by the FDA to treat.

If you would like to learn more about treatment options for cluster headaches, you should talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

What does Nurtec ODT cost?

There are many factors that affect the cost of prescription drugs. What your insurance plan covers is one of the factors.

Nurtec ODT isn’t available as a generic drug. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. A program called Nurtec OneSource may also help you save on the cost of Nurtec ODT.

To learn more about saving money on prescriptions, you can also check out this article.

What is Nurtec ODT’s dosage?

Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Nurtec ODT that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.

For more information on Nurtec ODT’s dosage, see this article.

Form and strength (75 mg)

The tablets are called Nurtec ODT. You can place the tablets under your tongue or on your tongue.

The strength of the tablets is 75 milligrams.

Recommended dosing

The recommended dosages for Nurtec ODT are listed below.

• For treating migraine episodes as they happen, take one tablet when symptoms begin.
• Take one tablet every day to prevent migraines.

The maximum dose for 24 hours is 75. You should only use one dose of the drug.

“It is not known if it is safe to take more than 18 doses of the drug within a 30-day period. If your headaches aren’t managed with the recommended dose of Nurtec ODT, talk to your doctor.”

Questions about Nurtec ODT’s dosage

Some questions about the dosage of Nurtec ODT are listed below.

• What if I miss a dose of Nurtec ODT? If you’re using Nurtec ODT to prevent migraine episodes, and you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. But if it’s closer to the time of your next dose, simply skip the missed dose. Take your next dose as regularly scheduled. Do not take more than one dose of Nurtec ODT at a time to make up for a missed dose.
• Will I need to use Nurtec ODT long term? If you and your doctor agree that Nurtec ODT is working well for you, you’ll likely use the drug long term.
• How long does Nurtec ODT take to work? After taking a Nurtec ODT dose to treat a migraine episode, most people feel their symptoms ease within 1 to 2 hours. If you’re using Nurtec ODT to prevent migraine episodes, it may take several weeks before you notice an improvement in your condition.

What should be considered before taking Nurtec ODT?

Some factors can affect whether or not you should use the treatment option.

Discuss your health with your doctor before you start treatment with Nurtec ODT. You should tell your doctor about all your medication.

Before starting the treatment, there are some factors to consider.

Interactions

Taking a medication with certain vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the medication works. These effects are called interactions.

Before taking any medication, be sure to tell your doctor about it. You should also describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions these items may cause.

The “Warnings” section contains information about drug-condition interactions.

Interactions with drugs or supplements

Several types of drugs can be interacted with by the ODT.

Doctors will not prescribe certain drugs due to the severity of the interactions. These include:

• the antibiotics clarithromycin and rifampin (Rimactane)
• The antifungal itraconazole.
• the antiepileptic drugs carbamazepine (Tegretol) and phenytoin (Dilantin)
• “St. John’s wort is a supplement.”

Other interactions are not as severe. Your doctor can tell you more about the risks and benefits of taking the drugs.

• the heart medications amiodarone (Pacerone) and diltiazem (Cardizem CD)
• the transplant medication cyclosporine (Gengraf)
• the heart drugs ranolazine (Ranexa) and quinidine

Some drugs that may interact with Nurtec ODT are not on this list. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the interactions that may occur with the use of Nurtec ODT.

Warnings

If you have certain medical conditions, you may not be a good choice for Nurtec ODT. Other factors may affect whether or not you should use Nurtec ODT.

Before you take ODT, talk to your doctor about your health history. The factors to consider are listed below.

• Severe kidney or liver problems. Having severe kidney or liver problems can make it harder for your body to rid itself of Nurtec ODT after you take a dose. If you have severe kidney or liver problems, your doctor likely won’t prescribe Nurtec ODT. They can discuss other treatments that are safe for your condition.
• Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Nurtec ODT or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Nurtec ODT. Ask them what other medications are better options for you.

Nurtec ODT and alcohol

There is no known interaction between using and consuming alcohol.

But alcohol can be a migraine trigger for some people. In such cases, alcohol may cause Nurtec ODT to not work as well as it should.

If you drink alcohol, your doctor can tell you how much is safe to drink while taking a drug.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

It is not known if it is safe to take Nurtec ODT while pregnant or breastfeeding. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should talk to your doctor. You can discuss the risks and benefits of taking the drug.

If you and your doctor decide you’ll use Nurtec ODT while pregnant, consider joining the Nurtec ODT pregnancy registry. Pregnancy registries collect data on the safety of using medications such as Nurtec ODT while pregnant. This data helps doctors and patients make decisions about which treatments to use. To learn more or sign up for the registry, call 877-366-0324 or visit the registry website.

How is Nurtec ODT taken?

“Your doctor will explain how to take it. They will explain how much to take and how often. Follow your doctor’s instructions.”

Taking Nurtec ODT

The tablets are called Nurtec ODT. You can place the tablets under your tongue or on your tongue. The tablets will not need water.

“If you don’t dry your hands before handling the tablets, they could be damaged.”

Accessible medication containers and labels

“If you can’t read the label on your prescription, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies may provide medication labels.”

• Have a large print.
• Use the visual aids.
• You can use a code on a phone to change the text into audio.

“If your current pharmacy doesn’t offer these options, your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend a new pharmacy.”

Questions about taking Nurtec ODT

Some questions about taking ODT are below.

• Can Nurtec ODT be chewed, crushed, or split? No, you should not chew, crush, or split Nurtec ODT tablets. They’re meant to dissolve within seconds after placing the tablets on or under your tongue.
• Should I take Nurtec ODT with food? You can eat normally before or after taking a dose of Nurtec ODT. But don’t take the drug while you have food in your mouth. If you’re taking Nurtec ODT before eating, wait for the drug to completely dissolve first.
• Is there a best time of day to take Nurtec ODT? There’s no best time of day to take Nurtec ODT. If you’re using Nurtec ODT to prevent migraine episodes, take it every other day as your doctor directs. If you’re using Nurtec ODT to treat a migraine episode, take your dose as soon as you feel migraine symptoms.

Questions for your doctor

You may have questions about your treatment plan. Discuss your concerns with your doctor.

Here are a few tips that might help you.

• Before your appointment, write down questions such as:
  • How will the ODT affect my lifestyle?
• Bring someone with you to your appointment to make you feel more comfortable.
• “If you don’t understand something, ask your doctor to explain it.”

“Your doctor and other healthcare professionals are available to help you. They want you to get the best care possible. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or give feedback on your treatment”

What should be done in case of overdose?

Do not take more than your doctor prescribes. Taking more than this can cause serious side effects.

What to do in case you take too much Nurtec ODT

Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much Nurtec ODT. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room.