Why is this medication prescribed?
Ubrogepant is used to treat the symptoms of migraine headaches (severe, throbbing headaches that sometimes are accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to sound or light). Ubrogepant is in a class of medications called calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonists. It works by blocking the action of a certain natural substance in the body that causes migraine headaches. Ubrogepant does not prevent migraine attacks or reduce the number of headaches you have.
How should this medicine be used?
Ubrogepant comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken at the first sign of a migraine headache. If your symptoms improve after you take ubrogepant but return after 2 hours or longer, your doctor may tell you that you may take a second tablet. Talk to your doctor to see if you may take a second dose if needed. Your doctor will tell you the maximum number of tablets you may take in a 24-hour period. Your doctor will also tell you the maximum number of migraine headaches you should treat with ubrogepant tablets in a 30-day period. Follow the directions on the package or prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take ubrogepant exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than directed by the package label or prescribed by your doctor.
Call your doctor if your headaches do not get better or occur more frequently after taking ubrogepant.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.
Other uses for this medicine
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking ubrogepant,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to ubrogepant, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in ubrogepant tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- Some medications should not be taken with ubrogepant. Make sure you have discussed any medications you are currently taking or plan to take before starting ubrogepant with your doctor and pharmacist. Before starting, stopping, or changing any medications while taking ubrogepant, please get the advice of your doctor or pharmacist. Your doctor may tell you not to take a second ubrogepant tablet within 24 hours if you are taking certain medications.
- The following nonprescription or herbal products may interact with ubrogepant: curcumin and St. John's wort. Be sure to let your healthcare provider know that you are taking these medications before you start taking ubrogepant. Do not start any of these medications while taking ubrogepant without discussing with your healthcare provider
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or liver problems.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking ubrogepant, call your doctor.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Do not take a second ubrogepant tablet within 24 hours of taking the first dose if you drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit. Talk to your doctor about eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medication.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Ubrogepant may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- nausea
- drowsiness
- dry mouth
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop taking ubrogepant and call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
- swelling of the face, throat, or around the mouth or eyes; hives; rash; itching; trouble swallowing or breathing; dizziness; or rapid heartbeat
Ubrogepant may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location — one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.
What other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor.
You should keep a headache diary by writing down when you have headaches and when you take ubrogepant.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Brand names
- Ubrelvy®