If you have migraine, your doctor may suggest Qulipta as a treatment option. It’s a prescription medication used to help prevent migraine episodes in adults.

Qulipta is not used to treat migraines. It takes every day to help prevent migraines.

Qulipta basics

Qulipta contains the active drug atogepant. (An active drug is an ingredient that makes a medication work.) It belongs to a group of migraine medications called calcitonin gene-related peptide blockers. This drug is not available as a generic.

Qulipta is tablets that you swallow.

Qulipta has side effects, use for helping to prevent migraines, and more, so keep reading.

Qulipta may cause mild or serious side effects. Some of the more common side effects of Qulipta 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.

The doctor or the pharmacy can tell you more about the side effects of Qulipta. They can suggest ways to reduce side effects.

Mild side effects

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

There are some mild side effects of Qulipta.

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

Qulipta can have serious side effects, but they are not common. If you have serious side effects, call your doctor. If you think you have a medical emergency, you should call the emergency number.

Qulipta has a possible serious side effect.

Allergic reaction

Some people may have an allergic reaction to Qulipta. While allergic reaction wasn’t reported in studies of Qulipta, it can still occur.

A mild allergic reaction can include some symptoms.

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 Qulipta, call your doctor. If you think you have a medical emergency, call the emergency number.

Qulipta is prescribed to help prevent migraine episodes in adults.

Migraine is a condition that causes intense headaches that may affect a person’s ability to function. These are referred to as migraine headaches or migraine episodes. Some people also have other symptoms, such as nausea, trouble speaking, and sensitivity to sound or light.

Qulipta is not used to treat migraines. It takes every day to help prevent migraines.

Qulipta works to help prevent migraine episodes by blocking the activity of a protein called calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Your body makes this protein naturally. In people with migraine, CGRP may cause pain and inflammation in the nervous system. To learn more about CGRP treatments for migraine like Qulipta, check out this article.

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

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. A program called Qulipta Complete may help lower the cost of this drug.

You can also check out this article to learn more about saving money on prescriptions.

Find answers to questions about Qulipta.

How does Qulipta compare with Nurtec ODT?

Qulipta and Nurtec ODT (rimegepant) are medications prescribed for migraine in adults.

Qulipta and Nurtec ODT may be used to help prevent headaches. Migraine episodes may be treated with Nurtec ODT. Qulipta is not used to treat migraines.

Qulipta and Nurtec ODT both belong to a group of migraine medications called calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) blockers.

If you want to learn more about Qulipta and Nurtec ODT, you should talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

What’s Qulipta’s mechanism of action?

The mechanism of action is what a drug works on.

Qulipta works by blocking the activity of a protein called CGRP. CGRP is a protein your body makes naturally. In people with migraine, CGRP may cause pain and inflammation in the nervous system.

To learn more about CGRP treatments for migraine like Qulipta, check out this article.

If you want to learn more about Qulipta, you should talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Is hair loss a side effect of Qulipta?

No, hair loss is not a known side effect of Qulipta. In studies of Qulipta, hair loss was not reported in people who took the drug.

But hair loss has been reported with another migraine drug, Aimovig (erenumab-aooe), since it became available on the market. Like Qulipta, Aimovig is a kind of CGRP medication. (For more information, see the section just above.)

Note that stress can lead to hair loss. Stress can also trigger a migraine episode in some people. So it’s possible that stress related to migraine can cause hair loss.

If you are worried about hair loss or migraines, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

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

Form

Qulipta is tablets that you swallow.

Strengths: 10 mg, 30 tablets., 60 percent.

Qulipta tablets have three strengths.

  • 10 milligrams is a lot.
  • 30 tablets.
  • 60 percent.

Recommended dosage

Qulipta will be taken once per day.

Questions about Qulipta’s dosage

“Some questions about Qulipta’s dosage are listed below.”

  • What if I miss a dose of Qulipta? If you miss a dose of Qulipta, try to take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regularly scheduled time. And do not take more than one dose of Qulipta to make up for a missed dose.
  • Will I need to take Qulipta long term? You’ll likely take Qulipta long term if you and your doctor agree that the drug is safe and working well for you.
  • How long does Qulipta take to work? Qulipta begins working as soon as you take a dose. In studies of the drug, some people reported fewer migraine episodes within 1 week of starting Qulipta. But it can take up to 12 weeks for the drug’s effects to take hold.

Factors that may affect how well Qulipta works are listed. Your medical history and any medications you take are included. Before you start taking Qulipta, you should have a discussion with your doctor.

Interactions

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

Before taking Qulipta, you should tell your doctor about all your medication. You should describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions that may occur.

Interactions with drugs or supplements

Qulipta can interact with a lot of drugs. These include:

The list does not include all the drugs that may interact with Qulipta. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about these interactions.

Warnings

If you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health, Qulipta may not be right for you. Before you take Qulipta, talk to your doctor about your health history. The factors to consider are listed below.

  • Kidney problems, including any requiring dialysis. If you have severe kidney problems or are undergoing dialysis, your doctor will likely prescribe a lower dose of Qulipta. Severe kidney problems can affect your body’s ability to rid itself of Qulipta after you take a dose. Your doctor can provide more information about the dose of Qulipta that is right for you.
  • Liver problems. Doctors usually won’t prescribe Qulipta to people with severe liver problems. Severe liver problems can make it hard for your body to rid itself of Qulipta after you take a dose. If you have liver problems, let your doctor know. They can discuss with you whether Qulipta is safe for you to take.
  • Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Qulipta or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Qulipta. Ask them what other medications are better options for you.

Qulipta and alcohol

There are no known interactions between alcohol and Qulipta.

But alcohol can trigger a migraine episode for some people. If alcohol is a migraine trigger for you, consuming alcohol could affect how well Qulipta works to help prevent your migraine episodes.

If you drink alcohol, talk to your doctor about how much you should drink.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

It is not known if it is safe to take Qulipta while pregnant or breastfeeding.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should talk to your doctor. They can discuss your treatment options.

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

Taking Qulipta

Qulipta is tablets that you swallow. Try to take this medication around the same time each day. This can help keep a consistent level of Qulipta in your body.

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.”

“If you have trouble opening your bottles, please let your doctor know. They may be able to put Qulipta in a container. The drug’s container may be easier to open with the help of your pharmacist.”

Questions about taking Qulipta

Some questions about taking Qulipta are listed below.

  • Can Qulipta be chewed, crushed, or split? The manufacturer of Qulipta hasn’t stated whether the drug may be chewed, crushed, or split. If you’re having trouble swallowing pills, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may have suggestions to help you take Qulipta. You can also check out these tips for taking pills.
  • Should I take Qulipta with food? You may take Qulipta doses with or without food.

Questions for your doctor

You may have questions about Qulipta. 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 Qulipta affect my life?
  • 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”

Do not take more Qulipta than your doctor tells you to. Taking more than this can cause serious side effects.

What to do in case you take too much Qulipta

Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much Qulipta. 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.

If you are considering Qulipta, you should speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Ask questions to make you feel more comfortable with the drug and treatment options. There are some suggestions to start.

The following article contains more information about the medications for migraines.

If you’re looking to join a community of people who also live with migraine, check out Bezzy Migraine. And to get updates on migraine treatments and tips for managing headache pain, subscribe to Healthline’s migraine newsletter.

Q:

Will I need to take other migraines with Qulipta?

Anonymous

A:

You could take other migraines with Qulipta.

Qulipta is prescribed to help prevent migraine episodes in adults. It’s not meant to treat migraine episodes as they happen. So your doctor may also prescribe a medication that you take to treat a migraine episode when one occurs.

The following drugs are safe to take with Qulipta. All of the medications that can be taken with Qulipta are not included in this list.

The best treatment plan for migraines depends on the doctor and you. Discuss any migraines you use with Qulipta.

The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.