Introduction
If you have migraine, your doctor may prescribe Ubrelvy (ubrogepant).
Ubrelvy is a prescription drug that’s used for fast-acting relief of migraine symptoms in adults. Migraine is a condition that can cause severe headaches. A migraine attack can sometimes occur with a sensory or visual disturbance called an aura.
Ubrelvy comes as a tablet you take by mouth. For more information about Ubrelvy, see this in-depth article on the drug.
Ubrelvy can cause mild or serious side effects. Keep reading to learn more.
What are the more common side effects of Ubrelvy?
Some people may experience mild or serious side effects during their Ubrelvy treatment. The more commonly reported side effects for Ubrelvy include:
- nausea*
- sleepiness*
* For more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
These aren’t the only side effects that Ubrelvy may cause. Read on to learn about more possible side effects from taking Ubrelvy.
What are the mild side effects of Ubrelvy?
Ubrelvy may cause mild side effects. Examples of mild side effects that have been reported with Ubrelvy include:
- sleepiness*
- nausea*
- fatigue (lack of energy)
- dry mouth*
* For more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. Some may be easily managed, too. But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or that bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And don’t stop using Ubrelvy unless your doctor recommends it.
Ubrelvy may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. For more information about side effects, see the Ubrelvy prescribing information.
Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Ubrelvy, visit MedWatch.
What are the serious side effects of Ubrelvy?
There haven’t been many serious side effects reported with Ubrelvy. But allergic reaction* is a serious side effect that may occur with Ubrelvy.
If you develop serious side effects while taking Ubrelvy, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
* As with many medications, an allergic reaction is possible after taking Ubrelvy. But this side effect wasn’t reported in studies. For more information about allergic reactions, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
FAQs about Ubrelvy’s side effects
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Ubrelvy’s side effects.
Can Ubrelvy cause rebound headaches?
Maybe, although rebound headaches weren’t reported as a side effect in studies of Ubrelvy.
Rebound headaches are a common side effect of other migraine drugs when they’re used too often. This can cause migraine symptoms to happen more often than usual, which can lead to taking more medication. As you take more medication, migraine symptoms can continue to worsen after the drug leaves your system.
The only way to break a cycle of rebound headaches is to temporarily stop taking the migraine medication.
Tell your doctor if you start having headaches more often than usual after starting Ubrelvy. If your doctor thinks you might be having rebound headaches, they’ll likely have you stop taking Ubrelvy for a while. But make sure you talk with your doctor before you stop taking the drug.
Is weight gain or weight loss a side effect of Ubrelvy?
No, weight changes don’t appear to be side effects of Ubrelvy. Weight gain and weight loss weren’t reported in studies of this drug.
Weight changes aren’t a common side effect for any drugs used to treat migraine. But studies have shown weight gain and weight loss may be side effects of drugs used to help prevent migraine. Examples include Topamax (topiramate), which causes weight loss, and propranolol, which causes weight gain.
If you’re concerned about weight changes while taking Ubrelvy, talk with your doctor. They can recommend healthy ways to manage your weight.
Are Ubrelvy’s side effects similar to those of other migraine medications?
Yes, Ubrelvy’s side effects are similar to those of some other migraine medications. But other migraine drugs can have very different side effects as well.
Common side effects among Ubrelvy and other migraine drugs include:
- sleepiness
- nausea
- fatigue (lack of energy)
Possible side effects of other migraine drugs that Ubrelvy isn’t known to cause may include:
- heart problems, such as an increase or decrease in blood pressure
- numbness or tingling in your arms or legs
- trouble sleeping
For more information about how Ubrelvy’s side effects compare with those of other migraine medications, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Can Ubrelvy cause depression?
No, it’s unlikely. Depression wasn’t a side effect reported in studies of Ubrelvy. But depression is a common condition in people who have migraine.
Symptoms of depression can include:
- feeling sad or hopeless
- loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
- mood changes, such as being more angry or anxious than usual
- sleeping more or less than usual
If you have any of these symptoms while taking Ubrelvy, be sure to tell your doctor. But it’s likely these symptoms are related to your condition instead of Ubrelvy itself. Regardless, your doctor can help you get treatment for these symptoms.
If you’re concerned about your risk for depression with migraine or while taking Ubrelvy, talk with your doctor.
Side effects explained
Learn more about some of the side effects Ubrelvy may cause.
Sleepiness
Sleepiness is a common side effect of Ubrelvy. You may be more likely to have this side effect if you take higher doses of the drug.
What might help
Until you know whether Ubrelvy makes you sleepy, you shouldn’t perform tasks that require you to be alert. This includes driving.
Your body may not get used to this side effect because you don’t take the drug every day. So, if you feel sleepy after taking your first few doses of Ubrelvy, you’re likely to continue feeling sleepy every time you take it.
Talk with your doctor about any activities you might need to avoid while taking Ubrelvy.
Dry mouth
You might experience dry mouth while taking Ubrelvy. This happens when your mouth doesn’t produce enough saliva.
Dry mouth resulting from Ubrelvy use will likely be temporary. But if dry mouth doesn’t go away and is left untreated, it can lead to more serious conditions. These include tooth decay, mouth sores, and oral thrush (a yeast infection inside your mouth).
What might help
The following remedies can help relieve dry mouth symptoms:
- Stay hydrated by drinking water.
- Chew sugarless gum or suck on sugarless candies.
- Limit the amount of caffeine and sugar you consume.
- Avoid smoking.
- Breathe through your nose more often than your mouth.
- Use saliva substitutes, such as XyliMelts.
If you experience bothersome dry mouth while taking Ubrelvy, talk with your doctor. They can suggest ways to treat this condition. Or they might switch you to a different migraine treatment that doesn’t have this side effect.
Nausea
Nausea is the most common side effect of Ubrelvy. You may also experience nausea as a symptom of migraine (the condition Ubrelvy is used to treat).
What might help
If you feel nauseated after taking Ubrelvy, try taking your next dose with food. This could help relieve your nausea by settling your stomach.
Ginger and peppermint are a few natural remedies you can try to relieve your nausea.
You can also try over-the-counter (OTC) medications. A few examples include:
- dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)
- glucose (Emetrol)
- meclizine
- Pepto-Bismol
Before taking any medications with Ubrelvy, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
If your nausea becomes severe, talk with your doctor. They may prescribe medications to help treat this side effect. Zofran (ondansetron) is an example of a prescription drug that helps quickly relieve nausea.
Allergic reaction
Like many drugs, Ubrelvy can cause an allergic reaction in some people. But this side effect wasn’t reported in studies.
Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:
- skin rash
- itchiness
- flushing (warmth or redness/deepening of skin color for a brief time)
- swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
What might help
If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest an OTC oral antihistamine, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine), or topical product, such as hydrocortisone cream, to manage your symptoms.
If your doctor confirms you had a mild allergic reaction to Ubrelvy, they’ll decide if you should continue using it.
If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.
If your doctor confirms you had a serious allergic reaction to Ubrelvy, they may have you switch to a different treatment.
Keeping track of side effects
During your Ubrelvy treatment, consider keeping notes on any side effects you’re having. Then, you can share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful to do when you first start taking new drugs or using a combination of treatments.
Your side effect notes can include things like:
- what dose of drug you were taking when you had the side effect
- how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
- what your symptoms were from the side effect
- how it affected your daily activities
- what other medications you were also taking
- any other information you feel is important
Keeping notes and sharing them with your doctor will help your doctor learn more about how Ubrelvy affects you. Your doctor can use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.
Warnings for Ubrelvy
Ubrelvy may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Ubrelvy. Factors to consider include those discussed below.
Kidney or liver disease. If you have issues with kidney or liver function, your body might not be able to get rid of Ubrelvy like it should. This can lead to higher levels of the drug in your body, which increases your risk for side effects.
Be sure to tell your doctor about any kidney or liver problems you have before starting Ubrelvy. They may need to adjust your dosage or recommend a different treatment option for your migraine.
Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Ubrelvy or any of its ingredients, you shouldn’t take Ubrelvy. Ask your doctor which other medications are better options for you.
Alcohol use and Ubrelvy
There aren’t any known safety issues with drinking alcohol while taking Ubrelvy.
But drinking alcohol can trigger a migraine episode for some people. If you know alcohol is one of your migraine triggers, you’ll likely want to avoid alcohol while taking the drug.
Talk with your doctor about the amount of alcohol that’s safe for you to drink while taking Ubrelvy.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Ubrelvy
It isn’t known if Ubrelvy is safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding.
In animal studies, Ubrelvy did cause harmful effects to offspring born to pregnant animals who took the drug. And Ubrelvy was found in the milk of lactating animals taking Ubrelvy. But what happens in animal studies may not happen in humans.
If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant or breastfeed, talk with your doctor before using Ubrelvy.
What to ask your doctor
Ubrelvy may help treat your migraine symptoms. Some people have mild side effects from the drug, such as nausea and sleepiness. More serious side effects from Ubrelvy aren’t common.
If you have questions about Ubrelvy’s side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You may ask your doctor a few questions about Ubrelvy treatment to help decide if the drug is right for you. Here are a few questions you might ask:
- Am I at a higher risk for side effects than others taking Ubrelvy?
- What are a few ways to manage side effects I might experience from Ubrelvy?
- Am I likely to have an allergic reaction to Ubrelvy?
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Ask a pharmacist
Q:
I’ve had high blood pressure after trying other migraine treatments in the past. Will I have high blood pressure after using Ubrelvy?
Anonymous patient
A:
It’s unlikely, but not impossible. Ubrelvy works differently from other migraine treatments such as triptans. And high blood pressure wasn’t a side effect in trials for Ubrelvy.
You should talk with your doctor about your past experiences with migraine treatments. They may ask you to monitor your blood pressure at home after taking Ubrelvy.
Dena Westphalen, PharmDAnswers 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 other 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.
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