Qulipta (atogepant) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to prevent episodic migraine in adults.
Here are some fast facts about Qulipta:
- Active ingredient: atogepant
- Drug class: calcitonin gene-related peptide antagonist
- Drug form: oral tablet
- FDA approval year: 2021
If Qulipta works to prevent migraine, your doctor will likely recommend that you take it long term.
As with other drugs, Qulipta can cause side effects. Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects. For a general overview of Qulipta, including its uses, see this article.
Qulipta can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Qulipta in clinical trials:
* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
Mild side effects can occur with Qulipta use. This list does not include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Qulipta’s prescribing information.
Mild side effects that have been reported with Qulipta include:
These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Qulipta and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.
* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
Qulipta may cause serious side effects. However, most side effects that people taking Qulipta reported were mild. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Qulipta’s prescribing information.
If you develop serious side effects while taking Qulipta, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Allergic reaction* is a possible serious side effect of Quilpta. For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
* An allergic reaction is possible after using Qulipta. However, it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials.
Qulipta may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.
Does Qulipta cause hair loss?
No, Qulipta should not cause hair loss. This side effect was not reported in clinical trials of the drug.
However, it’s possible that other drugs used to prevent migraine episodes, such as Topamax (topiramate), may cause hair loss to occur.
If you notice hair loss during your treatment with Qulipta, tell your doctor. They can help you determine what may be causing your hair loss. In addition, they may be able to recommend ways to decrease the loss, such as using an over-the-counter medication, including Rogaine (minoxidil).
Is dizziness a side effect of Qulipta?
No, dizziness was not reported in clinical trials of Qulipta. So, you should not experience dizziness from taking Qulipta. However, it’s possible to feel dizziness as a symptom of a migraine.
If you feel dizzy during your treatment with Qulipta, tell your doctor. They can help you determine what may be causing your dizziness to occur and the best ways to treat it.
Do Qulipta’s side effects vary based on which dose I’m taking (10 mg, 30 mg, 60 mg)?
It’s possible that you may be at an increased risk of side effects with a higher dose of Qulipta. This is because when you take a higher dose of medication, more of the drug is in your body, which can increase your risk of side effects.
For example, if you take a dose of 10 milligrams (mg) of Qulipta, you may be at a lower risk of side effects than someone taking a dose of 60 mg. However, clinical trials of Qulipta did not show a change in side effects based on the dosage.
If you notice that you are having side effects that are severe or bothersome to you, tell your doctor. They will be able to recommend the best dosage of Qulipta for you.
Learn more about some of the side effects that Qulipta may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Qulipta.
Nausea
You may experience nausea from taking Qulipta. Nausea was one of the drug’s most common side effects in clinical trials. Nausea can also be a symptom of migraine.
What you can do
If you experience nausea during your treatment with Qulipta, talk with your doctor. They may recommend taking your dose of Qulipta with food to see if it reduces your nausea. They may also be able to recommend other ways to decrease this side effect.
Weight loss
You may experience weight loss during your treatment with Qulipta. Although this was not one of the most common side effects of Qulipta, it did occur in clinical trials. Weight loss may occur because of a decrease in your appetite, which is also a side effect of Qulipta.
What you can do
If you notice unexpected weight loss during your treatment with Qulipta, tell your doctor. They may be able to help you determine ways to increase your appetite or to help prevent weight loss from occurring.
Increased liver enzyme levels
It’s possible to experience increased liver enzyme levels during your treatment with Qulipta. In some cases, increased liver enzymes may indicate liver damage. This side effect was not common in clinical trials.
It’s important to note that people who developed increased liver enzymes in trials did not have any symptoms of liver problems. Symptoms of liver damage may include:
If you have symptoms of liver problems, talk with your doctor as soon as possible.
What you can do
Your doctor may check your liver enzyme levels through a blood test while you are taking Qulipta. You should also tell your doctor if you develop any symptoms of liver problems during your treatment. They will likely do a blood test again at that time to be sure your liver is working normally.
In clinical trials, some people with increased liver enzyme levels stopped treatment with Qulipta, and their liver levels returned to normal within 8 weeks. So, if your liver enzyme levels become too high, your doctor may recommend stopping Qulipta and trying a different medication to prevent migraine.
Allergic reaction
As with most drugs, Qulipta can cause an allergic reaction in some people. However, it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials.
Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:
- skin rash
- itching
- flushing
- swelling under your skin, typically in your lips, eyelids, feet, or hands
- swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
What you can do
For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Qulipta. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Other precautions
Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Qulipta. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These are considered drug-condition or drug-factor interactions. The conditions and factors to consider include:
Kidney problems. Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems or if you are on dialysis before you start treatment with Qulipta. Your kidneys help to remove Qulipta from your body. So, if your kidneys are not working as they should, Qulipta could build up in your body. This can increase your risk of side effects. If you have kidney problems, your doctor may recommend taking a lower dose of Qulipta. Talk with your doctor about the best dose of Qulipta for you if you have kidney problems.
Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Qulipta or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Qulipta. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.
Liver problems. Tell your doctor if you have liver problems before starting treatment with Qulipta. This medication can cause increased liver enzyme levels, which may indicate liver damage. If you already have liver problems, taking Qulipta may worsen your condition. In some cases, such as in people with mild or moderate liver problems, you may still be able to take Qulipta. If you have severe liver problems, your doctor will recommend a different treatment option for you. Talk with your doctor to determine the best treatment plan to prevent episodic migraine.
Alcohol with Qulipta
There are not any known interactions between Qulipta and alcohol. However, drinking alcohol may worsen some of the side effects of Qulipta. For example, Qulipta and alcohol can both cause nausea. So, drinking alcohol and taking Qulipta may increase your risk of nausea.
In addition, alcohol can trigger migraine episodes. So, it’s possible that drinking alcohol can cause migraine to occur.
If you’d like to drink alcohol while taking Qulipta, talk with your doctor. They can help determine if it may be safe for you to do so.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Qulipta
It’s unknown if Qulipta is safe to take during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. The drug’s clinical trials did not include people who were pregnant or breastfeeding.
In animal studies, animals exposed to atogepant (the active drug ingredient in Qulipta) had an increased risk of congenital anomalies (also known as birth defects). However, it is important to note that animal studies do not always indicate what may happen in humans.
It is unknown if Qulipta is present in breast milk or what effects the drug may have in a breastfed child.
In animal studies, Qulipta was present in breast milk. However, animal studies don’t always indicate what may happen in humans.
If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor before taking Qulipta. They can help you determine if the drug is safe for you to take during pregnancy or while you are breastfeeding.
Qulipta may cause side effects; however, most of the possible side effects are mild. It’s important that you are aware of the possible side effects of Qulipta before starting treatment.
If you would like to learn more about Qulipta, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about the side effects from taking the drug.
Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:
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.
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