Ubrelvy™ (ubrogepant)
Reviewed by: HU Medical Review Board | Reviewed April 2022 | Last updated: April 2023
Ubrelvy™ (ubrogepant) is approved for the acute treatment of migraine in adults. It can be used for the treatment of migraine with or without aura.1
It belongs to a class of drugs called gepants. A gepant is a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist. Ubrelvy is taken by mouth and may help quickly block pain signaling in the brain.1
What are the ingredients in Ubrelvy?
The main ingredient in Ubrelvy is ubrogepant.1
How does Ubrelvy work?
Ubrelvy is a CGRP receptor antagonist. CGRP is a protein that is often found in the brain and sensory nerves of the head and neck. These sensory nerves are a part of the trigeminal system and may be involved in the development of migraine. CGRP plays a role in pain signaling and our body’s perception of pain.
During a migraine attack, a person might have high amounts of CGRP. This could impact their pain levels. A gepant is a small molecule designed to stop the action of CGRP. By blocking CGRP, pain perception may be reduced.
Ubrelvy is the first anti-CGRP medication designed for immediate use. Other CGRP therapies are injected into the body and are used for long-term, preventative treatment. However, Ubrelvy can be used to stop a migraine attack. It is not used for preventative treatment of migraine.1
What are the possible side effects of Ubrelvy?
The most common side effects experienced with Ubrelvy include:
- Nausea
- Drowsiness or sleepiness1
These are not all the possible side effects of Ubrelvy. Patients should talk to their doctor about what to expect with treatment with Ubrelvy.
Things to know about Ubrelvy
Ubrelvy cannot be taken with certain medications. Before starting Ubrelvy, tell your doctor about any medications you are taking. This includes over the counter drugs, vitamins, or other supplements. It is especially important to tell your doctor if you are taking one of the following:
- Ketoconazole, itraconazole, or fluconazole
- Clarithromycin
- Verapamil
- Phenytoin
- Carvedilol
- Cyclosporine
- Barbiturates
- Ciprofloxacin
- Rifampin
- Curcumin
- St. John’s Wort
- Fluvoxamine
- Quinidine
- Eltrombopag1
There is no adequate data on the developmental risk associated with the use of Ubrelvy in pregnant women. Therefore it is not known if Ubrelvy will harm an unborn baby. Additionally, children and people with end-stage renal disease should not take Ubrelvy.
Before starting Ubrelvy, tell your doctor if you:
- Have a history of liver problems
- Have a history of kidney problems
- Are planning to become pregnant or are currently pregnant
- Are planning to breastfeed or are currently breastfeeding1
As mentioned, Ubrelvy is used only for the acute (abortive) treatment of migraine. It is not meant to be used long-term for migraine prevention.1
Ubrelvy is made by Allergan USA, Inc.
For more information, read the full prescribing information of Ubrelvy.