A gepant to treat a migraine attack
Ubrogepant
An oral tablet taken during a migraine attack to relieve it, as an alternative to triptans.
What is Ubrogepant?
Ubrogepant (brand name Ubrelvy) is a newer oral medicine called a gepant, which works by blocking CGRP, a natural body chemical involved in migraine. It is an acute treatment, taken when a migraine attack starts to relieve it, and it is not used to prevent migraine. It offers an alternative to triptans and can be useful for people for whom triptans do not suit or do not work well. It is generally well tolerated, with nausea and sleepiness being among the more common side effects. As a newer class, gepants are often used after older options, and it is not recommended in pregnancy without advice.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Ubrogepant — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Ubrogepant is a gepant, a newer type of tablet that blocks CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide), a body chemical that plays a key part in migraine. It is an acute treatment, meaning it is taken when a migraine attack starts to ease the pain and other symptoms, rather than being taken regularly to prevent attacks. It provides an alternative to triptans, the long-established acute migraine tablets, and can be helpful for people who cannot take triptans or who find they do not work well for them.
How it works
CGRP rises during a migraine and helps drive the pain and other symptoms. Ubrogepant blocks the place where CGRP acts, which can calm an attack that has already begun. Unlike triptans, gepants do not narrow blood vessels, which is one reason they can be an option for people who need to avoid that effect. As an acute treatment, it works on the attack in front of you and is not designed to be taken every day to prevent future migraines.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: AbbVie.
A newer oral medicine used to treat a migraine attack, working by blocking CGRP rather than narrowing blood vessels.
What it treats
Conditions Ubrogepant is used for
Practical use
How to take Ubrogepant
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take one tablet by mouth as soon as a migraine attack starts.
- If the migraine has not settled, a second tablet may be taken later the same day if your prescriber has advised this.
- Use it only to treat attacks, not to prevent migraine, and avoid taking acute medicines on too many days to prevent medication-overuse headache.
- It can be taken with or without food.
- Tell your prescriber if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding, as it is not recommended without advice.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Ubrogepant
Advantages
- An effective acute treatment that offers an alternative to triptans.
- Useful when triptans do not work or are not suitable.
- Does not narrow blood vessels, so it may suit some people who cannot take triptans.
Disadvantages
- It is an acute treatment only and does not prevent migraine.
- It can cause nausea and sleepiness in some people.
- As a newer medicine, it is often used after older options and may not always be readily available.
Practical use
Good to know
It helps to understand the difference between acute treatments and preventers: ubrogepant is an acute treatment, taken during an attack to relieve it, and is not used to prevent migraine. It is one of the gepants, a newer class often used when older medicines have not suited a person, and it is particularly useful as an alternative when triptans do not work or are not suitable. Because it does not narrow blood vessels, it may be an option for some people who cannot take triptans for heart-related reasons, though this should always be checked with your prescriber. It is generally well tolerated, with nausea and sleepiness among the more common effects, and it is not recommended in pregnancy without advice. It should not be overused.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- It is not recommended in pregnancy without advice, and should be discussed before planning a pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to ubrogepant or its ingredients should not use it.
- It is used with care in people with significant liver problems, who should tell their prescriber.
Monitoring
- Reviewing whether it is relieving attacks and on how many days acute medicines are being used.
- Checking liver health if there are existing liver problems.
- Discussing pregnancy plans, breastfeeding and overall migraine control at review.
Side effects
- Nausea is among the most common side effects.
- Sleepiness or tiredness can occur, so take care until you know how it affects you.
- Rarely, an allergic reaction such as rash or swelling can occur, which needs medical attention.
Key interactions
- Certain medicines that affect how the liver handles drugs can change ubrogepant levels, so tell your prescriber what you take.
- It is best not to combine it too closely with other CGRP-blocking medicines without advice.
- Always mention other acute migraine treatments so overuse can be avoided.
Available as: Tablets taken by mouth.
Answers
Ubrogepant: frequently asked questions
Is ubrogepant a preventer?
No. It is an acute treatment, taken during a migraine attack to relieve it, and it is not used to prevent migraine.
Can I take it if triptans do not suit me?
Yes, it offers an alternative to triptans and can be useful when they do not work or are not suitable; it also does not narrow blood vessels.
What are the common side effects?
Nausea and sleepiness are among the more common effects, so take care until you know how it affects you.
Can I take it as often as I like?
No. Acute migraine medicines should not be taken on too many days, as overuse can lead to medication-overuse headache; follow your prescriber's advice.
Is it safe in pregnancy?
It is not recommended in pregnancy without advice, so discuss it if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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