Qulipta Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Qulipta Tablet (atogepant) is a prescription medicine belonging to the CGRP inhibitor class, used to help prevent migraine headaches in adults. It is taken once a day and is not meant to treat a migraine attack that is already happening. Qulipta can reduce the number of migraine days each month, with some benefit possible within the first week and fuller effects building over several months.

What is Qulipta Tablet

Qulipta is a prescription tablet used to help prevent migraine headaches in adults. It is taken once a day and is not meant to treat a migraine attack that is already happening. The generic name is atogepant, and it belongs to the CGRP inhibitors (calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonists) drug class.

Qulipta Tablet uses

• Preventive treatment of episodic migraine in adults
• Preventive treatment of chronic migraine in adults

Benefits of Qulipta Tablet

• Can reduce the number of migraine days each month
• May start helping within the first week of use, with fuller benefits building over several months

How Qulipta Tablet works

Qulipta blocks a protein in the body called CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide), which is involved in causing migraine pain and inflammation in the brain and nervous system. By attaching to CGRP receptors, it helps stop the blood vessel swelling and inflammation that trigger migraine attacks.

Qulipta Tablet dosage

Qulipta is taken by mouth once a day and can be taken with or without food. Take it around the same time each day to keep a steady level of medicine in your body, and take the dose exactly as your doctor prescribes it. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but skip it if it is almost time for your next dose — do not take two doses at once. Qulipta is not approved for use in children. This medicine should not be cut in half unless your doctor specifically tells you to, since the tablets are not scored for accurate splitting.

Available forms and strengths

• 10 mg oral tablet
• 30 mg oral tablet
• 60 mg oral tablet

Side effects of Qulipta Tablet

Common

• Nausea
• Constipation
• Fatigue or sleepiness
• Decreased appetite
• Dizziness
• Weight loss

Serious

• Severe allergic reaction (including anaphylaxis) — swelling of face, lips, or tongue, itching, trouble breathing, hives, rash
• High blood pressure or worsening of existing high blood pressure
• Raynaud's phenomenon — fingers or toes feeling numb, cool, or painful, or changing color from pale to blue to red

Warnings and precautions

Qulipta can cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can happen even days after taking a dose. New or worsening high blood pressure can occur, often within the first week of starting treatment. Qulipta can cause or worsen Raynaud's phenomenon, a circulation problem affecting fingers and toes, which in some reported cases led to serious complications. Do not take Qulipta if you have had an allergic reaction to atogepant or any of its ingredients. Certain medicines, such as some antifungals, antibiotics, seizure medicines, HIV medicines, and the herbal supplement St. John's wort, can change how Qulipta works and may require a dose change. Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice while taking this medicine.

It is not known if Qulipta is safe during pregnancy. Animal studies suggest it could cause harm to a developing baby, so tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Small amounts of Qulipta can pass into breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you are breastfeeding.

People with severe kidney problems or end-stage kidney disease may need a lower dose, and Qulipta is not recommended for chronic migraine in these patients. Qulipta should be avoided in people with severe liver problems.

There are no known direct interactions between alcohol and Qulipta, but alcohol can trigger migraines in some people and may increase sleepiness while taking this medicine. Qulipta can affect alertness or coordination, so do not drive or do activities that need focus until you know how this medicine affects you.

Storage

• Store Qulipta at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
• Keep Qulipta and all medicines out of the reach of children.

When to see a doctor

• Stop taking Qulipta and get emergency medical help right away if you have swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, itching, trouble breathing, hives, or rash — these can be signs of a serious allergic reaction.
• Contact your healthcare provider if your blood pressure increases while taking this medicine.
• Contact your healthcare provider if your fingers or toes become numb, cool, painful, or change color from pale to blue to red.
• If you think you have taken too much Qulipta, get emergency medical help or contact a poison control center right away.

Alternatives

• Emgality
• Nurtec ODT
• Ubrelvy