Ubrelvy (ubrogepant) and Nurtec ODT (rimegepant) are brand-name oral tablets. They’re both prescribed for treating migraine in adults.
This article explains the main similarities and differences between Ubrelvy and Nurtec ODT. If you’re considering taking one of these drugs, discussing this information with your doctor can help you decide whether one of these treatments may be right for you.
Note: For more comprehensive information about these two drugs, you can refer to our Ubrelvy and Nurtec ODT articles.
Key differences between Ubrelvy and Nurtec ODT
These are a few of the main differences between Ubrelvy and Nurtec ODT:
- Conditions treated: Ubrelvy and Nurtec ODT are both used to treat migraine episodes, but Nurtec ODT is also used to help prevent migraine episodes. (See the “Uses of Ubrelvy vs. Nurtec ODT” section.)
- Forms: Ubrelvy comes as a tablet that you swallow, but Nurtec ODT comes as a tablet that dissolves on or under your tongue.
Here’s information about the generic status for Ubrelvy and Nurtec ODT, as well as details on their active ingredients.
| Ubrelvy | Nurtec ODT | |
| Generic available | no | no |
| Active ingredient | ubrogepant | rimegepant |
| Drug class | calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonists | CGRP receptor antagonists |
Ubrelvy and Nurtec ODT have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the following uses.
- Both Ubrelvy and Nurtec ODT are FDA approved to:
- Nurtec ODT is also FDA approved to:
- help prevent migraine episodes in adults with episodic migraine (migraine episodes that occur up to 14 days or fewer each month)
Note: For more information about the drugs’ uses, see our articles about Ubrelvy and Nurtec ODT.
Here’s a quick look at the dosage and administration of Ubrelvy and Nurtec ODT for the use they’re both approved for.
Dosage for treating migraine episodes
Ubrelvy and Nurtec ODT are both used to treat episodes of migraine that occur with or without aura in adults. These are the usual recommended dosages for each drug:
| Ubrelvy for treating migraine | Nurtec ODT for treating migraine | |
| Form | tablet that you swallow | tablet that dissolves on or under your tongue |
| Strengths | 50 milligrams (mg) and 100 mg | 75 mg |
| Dosage | • 50 mg or 100 mg taken as soon as possible when migraine symptoms start • if needed, a second dose of 50 mg or 100 mg can be taken after 2 hours • maximum dose is 200 mg in 24 hours | • 75 mg taken as soon as possible when migraine symptoms start • if needed, a second dose of 75 mg can be taken after 24 hours • maximum dose is 75 mg in 24 hours |
| Frequency | when needed, to treat up to 8 migraine episodes in a 30-day period | when needed, up to 18 doses in a 30-day period |
| Given by | self | self |
Note: For more information about dosage, see our dosage articles about Ubrelvy and Nurtec ODT.
Ubrelvy and Nurtec ODT both treat migraine episodes. These drugs can cause some of the same side effects, as well as some different ones. Some of the side effects reported in clinical trials of these drugs are mentioned below.
For more details about side effects of the two drugs, see our side effect articles about Ubrelvy and Nurtec ODT. You can also refer to the Ubrelvy prescribing information and Nurtec ODT prescribing information.
Mild side effects
The following table lists some of the more commonly reported mild side effects of Ubrelvy and Nurtec ODT. The table may also include mild side effects that are less common but that you might have concerns about in some cases.
| Mild side effects | Ubrelvy | Nurtec ODT |
| nausea | ✓ | ✓ |
| sleepiness | ✓ | |
| fatigue (low energy) | ✓ | |
| dry mouth | ||
| abdominal pain | ✓ | |
| indigestion | ✓ |
These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. If the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious side effects
The following table lists the reported serious side effects of Ubrelvy and Nurtec ODT.
| Serious side effects | Ubrelvy | Nurtec ODT |
| serious allergic reaction | ✓ | ✓ |
If you have serious side effects while using Ubrelvy or Nurtec ODT, call your doctor immediately. If the side effects feel life threatening or you believe you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number right away.
ALLERGIC REACTIONFor some people, Ubrelvy and Nurtec ODT can cause an allergic reaction.
In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Ubrelvy or Nurtec ODT, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Below are answers to some common questions about Ubrelvy and Nurtec ODT.
Can you take Nurtec ODT and Ubrelvy together?
It’s not known if it’s safe to take Nurtec ODT and Ubrelvy together, or on the same day. Although they contain different active drugs, these medications belong to the same class of drugs called calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonists. They work in the same way and can cause similar side effects. So taking them together may raise your risk of side effects.
If you take Nurtec ODT to help prevent migraine episodes, your doctor likely won’t prescribe Nurtec ODT or Ubrelvy to treat any migraine episodes you have. Instead, if you need to treat a migraine episode, they’ll likely recommend taking a medication from a different drug class. Examples include triptans such as sumatriptan (Imitrex) and pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).
If you have questions about what migraine medications you can take together, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
How do Nurtec ODT and Ubrelvy compare with Qulipta?
Nurtec ODT, Ubrelvy, and Qulipta all belong to the same class of drugs called CGRP receptor antagonists. These medications contain different active ingredients. Nurtec ODT contains rimegepant, Ubrelvy contains ubrogepant, and Qulipta contains atogepant.
Ubrelvy and Nurtec ODT are used to treat migraine episodes that occur with or without aura. Nurtec ODT can also be used to help prevent episodic migraine (migraine episodes that occur for up to 14 days or fewer each month). Qulipta is only approved to help prevent migraine. It can be used for both episodic migraine and chronic migraine (migraine episodes that occur for up to 15 or more days per month).
Ubrelvy and Qulpita come as a tablet that you swallow, while Nurtec ODT comes as a tablet that dissolves on or under your tongue.
All three medications can cause similar side effects.
If you’re interested in taking Nurtec ODT, Ubrelvy, or Qulipta, talk with your doctor. They can help you decide if one of these medications is right for you.
How do Ubrelvy and Nurtec ODT compare with Imitrex?
Ubrelvy, Nurtec ODT, and Imitrex are all used to treat migraine episodes that occur with or without aura. Ubrelvy and Nurtec ODT are similar medications from the same drug class called CGRP receptor antagonists. Imitrex belongs to a different drug class called triptans.
In a
However, Imitrex can cause more side effects than Ubrelvy and Nurtec ODT. And Imitrex may not be safe for people with heart disease, high blood pressure, or blood circulation problems. Ubrelvy and Nurtec ODT tend to cause only mild side effects and can be taken by most people.
These medications come in different forms. Ubrelvy comes as a tablet that you swallow, while Nurtec ODT comes as a tablet that dissolves on or under your tongue. Imitrex comes as a tablet that you swallow, as well as a nasal spray and an injection.
If you’re interested in taking Nurtec ODT, Ubrelvy, or Imitrex, talk with your doctor. They can help you decide if one of these medications is right for you.
You may wonder if Ubrelvy or Nurtec ODT is more effective for migraine.
Review of studies: Here’s a brief look at whether Ubrelvy or Nurtec ODT was found to be more effective for treating migraine episodes.
In a
Prescribing information: Here’s a brief look at how effective Ubrelvy and Nurtec ODT were found to be in clinical trials.
In trials, both drugs were more effective than placebo (dummy treatment) at relieving symptoms of a migraine episode within 2 hours of taking a dose. These symptoms included moderate to severe headache, nausea, and sensitivity to light or sound.
For more details about how these drugs performed in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Ubrelvy and Nurtec ODT. Keep in mind that trial results may not apply to your individual health situation.
Treatment guidelines: Another way to see whether a drug is considered effective is to look at treatment guidelines.
When an organization includes certain drugs in treatment guidelines, this means that research has shown the drug to be safe and effective. Ubrelvy and Nurtec ODT are both recommended as an option for treating migraine episodes in
How much Ubrelvy or Nurtec ODT costs depends on the treatment plan your doctor prescribes, your insurance plan, and your pharmacy.
Both Ubrelvy and Nurtec ODT are brand-name drugs. These medications are not currently available in generic form. Brand-name medications are often more expensive than generics.
Ubrelvy and Nurtec ODT may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. The two drugs have similar precautions. Some of these precautions are mentioned below.
If any of the following medical conditions or other health factors are relevant to you, talk with your doctor before using Ubrelvy or Nurtec ODT.
| Precaution | Ubrelvy | Nurtec ODT |
| if you’ve had an allergic reaction to either drug or any of its ingredients | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you’re pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you’re breastfeeding or thinking about breastfeeding | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you have severe liver problems | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you have severe kidney problems | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you take certain other medications, such as ketoconazole or clarithromycin | ✓ | ✓ |
Note: For more comprehensive information about these two drugs, you can refer to our Ubrelvy and Nurtec ODT articles.
Switching between Ubrelvy and Nurtec ODT is possible.
If you’d like to know more about switching between Ubrelvy and Nurtec ODT, talk with your doctor. They can give you additional details and help determine the best course of action for your personal situation. Even if two drugs treat the same condition or are in the same drug class, your body can still respond differently.
It’s important that you do not stop, start, or switch any of your drug treatments without your doctor’s recommendation.
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.
