Nurtec ODT may take 1 to 2 hours to relieve migraine symptoms such as headache, nausea, and photophobia. As a preventive treatment, it may reduce migraine frequency when used consistently over several weeks.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Nurtec ODT (rimegepant) for migraine treatment and prevention in adults. Specifically, Nurtec ODT is prescribed for acute (immediate) treatment of ongoing migraine attacks with or without aura and for prevention of episodic migraine.
Nurtec is an orally disintegrating tablet (ODT), which dissolves in your mouth before you swallow it.
Read on to learn how long Nurtec ODT takes to work for migraine treatment and prevention. For additional information about Nurtec ODT, including details about its uses and side effects, see this Nurtec ODT overview.
Nurtec ODT is an acute treatment for migraine, so you can take it when you already have headache pain. “Acute treatment” means that it works quickly. In clinical trials, people took Nurtec ODT or a placebo (a pill with no active ingredient) for a migraine headache of moderate to severe pain intensity.
In these trials, some people reported pain freedom (reduced or no headache pain) within 1 to 2 hours of taking the drug. Compared with those who took a placebo, twice as many people who took Nurtec ODT reported feeling pain-free after 2 hours.
Nurtec ODT was also more effective than placebo in eliminating the study participants’ self-reported most bothersome symptom, such as light sensitivity. Some people taking Nurtec ODT also reported normal function 2 hours after taking the dose.
How long does Nurtec ODT work?
The effects of Nurtec ODT on your migraine attack may last for several hours. In studies, some people reported pain freedom for 2 to 48 hours. This long-lasting effect is important, as the maximum recommended dosage of Nurtec ODT is 1 tablet in 24 hours.
In addition to its use as an acute treatment for migraine, Nurtec ODT is FDA approved for preventing episodic migraine. Episodic migraine is typically defined by migraine headaches on
A clinical trial looked at the effects of Nurtec ODT in people with a history of migraine for at least 1 year. People took either Nurtec ODT or a placebo every other day for 12 weeks. Those who took Nurtec ODT experienced fewer migraine days per month during weeks 9 through 12 than those who took the placebo.
For migraine prevention, you’ll need to take Nurtec ODT once every other day. It’s important to take no more than 1 tablet in 24 hours and no more than 18 doses of Nurtec ODT in 30 days.
After you take Nurtec ODT, the drug reaches a maximum concentration in your body at 1.5 hours. The drug starts working soon after you take a dose, but you may not feel it working inside your body.
The rate at which Nurtec ODT works for migraine depends on whether you’re taking the drug as an acute or preventive treatment for migraine. For instance, Nurtec ODT may take several weeks to work to help prevent episodic migraine.
Nurtec ODT with other medications
Other medications you take may affect the level of Nurtec ODT in your body. This may cause Nurtec ODT to have a different effect than expected. Before starting Nurtec ODT, tell your doctor and pharmacist about all other medications you take.
You should take your Nurtec ODT dose without food or water. Currently, it’s not known whether any specific foods change how effectively or how quickly Nurtec ODT works.
For more information, you can read this article about drugs and other factors that interact with Nurtec ODT.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Nurtec ODT and how long it takes to work.
How do you know if Nurtec is working?
If you’re taking Nurtec ODT to treat a migraine attack, you may start to experience less pain or other symptom relief within 2 hours of taking your dose. If you’re taking it for migraine prevention, you may start experiencing fewer migraine days per month after several weeks of taking the drug.
However, Nurtec ODT is not effective for everyone. If Nurtec ODT is not reducing your pain, other migraine symptoms, or number of headaches per month, it’s important to talk with a doctor.
You may find it helpful to keep a headache diary to track the frequency of your migraine symptoms over time. Also include the specific treatments you used, including Nurtec ODT. This can help you and your doctor determine whether Nurtec is working to treat your condition. They’ll carefully review your migraine symptoms and current treatments and recommend next steps.
How does Nurtec ODT work?
Nurtec ODT works by antagonizing (blocking) the action of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptors (attachment sites). People experiencing migraine have
CGRP binds to receptors in your brain and activates them. It’s thought that this leads to migraine attacks and pain responses. CGRP receptor antagonists such as Nurtec ODT block the activation of CGRP receptors, which helps treat and prevent migraine.
If you’d like more information about how Nurtec ODT works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist or refer to the “How it works” section of this article.
Does Nurtec ODT work on all headaches?
It’s unlikely. According to a
To find out whether Nurtec ODT may be a suitable treatment for your headache type, talk with your doctor. They’ll discuss all your treatment options and help you decide which treatment plan is best for your condition.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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 another 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.
