Key takeaways
Nurtec ODT (rimegepant) is a CGRP receptor antagonist used to treat and prevent migraine attacks.
Nurtec alternatives include other CGRP medications, triptans, and pain relievers.
The right alternative depends on whether you need acute or preventive treatment, as well as side effects and cost.
Nurtec ODT (rimegepant) is a brand-name prescription drug used to treat and prevent migraine headaches. It belongs to a class of drugs called calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonists, which work by blocking CGRP receptors involved in migraine pain. As an orally disintegrating tablet, Nurtec can relieve migraine symptoms during an attack and can also be taken to help prevent episodic migraine. Still, Nurtec may not be right for everyone, and some people may prefer alternatives with different dosing schedules, side effects, or costs
RELATED: Migraine financial assistance & resources
What can I take in place of Nurtec?
If Nurtec is not effective or suitable, other medications can be used to treat or prevent migraine. Alternatives include other CGRP receptor antagonists, such as Qulipta (atogepant), Ubrelvy (ubrogepant), and Zavzpret (zavegepant). CGRP monoclonal antibodies, such as Aimovig (erenumab), Ajovy (fremanezumab), and Emgality (galcanezumab), are also options.
Some migraine medications are approved only for acute treatment, while others are used for prevention. The right choice depends on the type of migraine, potential side effects, and costs, so it’s important to work with a healthcare provider to find the best option.
RELATED: When to talk to your doctor about a prescription for migraine
Top 5 Nurtec alternatives
The following are some of the most common alternatives to Nurtec. Some are used for acute migraine treatment, while others are used for prevention, so the right option depends partly on the type of treatment needed.
1. Qulipta (atogepant)
Qulipta is a CGRP receptor antagonist approved to prevent both chronic and episodic migraines. In clinical trials, Qulipta reduced monthly migraine days, with common side effects including nausea, constipation, drowsiness, and weight loss. One head-to-head study found Qulipta 60 mg once daily reduced monthly migraine days by about 1.65 more days than Nurtec ODT 75 mg taken every other day, with similar safety and tolerability profiles. Qulipta may be an alternative for people who need preventive treatment and have not responded well to Nurtec.
RELATED: Qulipta vs. Nurtec: differences and similarities explained
2. Ubrelvy (ubrogepant)
Ubrelvy is a CGRP receptor antagonist approved as an acute treatment option for migraine attacks. Clinical trials found Ubrelvy effective for migraine pain relief, with the most common side effects including nausea, drowsiness, and dry mouth. Ubrelvy works similarly to Nurtec ODT, and an indirect comparison found no significant differences between the two drugs in measures of effectiveness. It’s taken as an oral tablet at the first sign of a migraine and may be a good alternative for those who don’t respond to Nurtec.
RELATED: Ubrelvy vs. Nurtec: differences, similarities, and side effects
3. Zavzpret (zavegepant)
Zavzpret is a CGRP receptor antagonist approved for treating migraine attacks. Unlike Nurtec, it comes as a nasal spray that is given as a single dose in one nostril as needed. Common side effects include changes in taste, nausea, nasal discomfort, and vomiting. As a non-oral acute treatment, Zavzpret may be an alternative for people who experience nausea or vomiting during migraine attacks or prefer a nasal spray.
4. Aimovig
Aimovig (erenumab) is an injectable monoclonal antibody that blocks the CGRP receptor and is approved to prevent migraine in adults. It is given as a once-monthly subcutaneous injection. A clinical study in people with episodic migraine found that monthly Aimovig significantly reduced migraine days, the impact of migraine on daily activities, and the use of acute migraine medications. Aimovig may be an alternative for people who need preventive treatment and have not responded well to oral CGRP medications.
RELATED: Nurtec vs. Aimovig: differences, similarities & side effects
5. Emgality (galcanezumab)
Emgality is an injectable monoclonal antibody that targets CGRP and is approved to prevent migraine in adults. It is also approved to treat episodic cluster headache. For migraine prevention, Emgality is given as a monthly subcutaneous injection after an initial loading dose. The most common Emgality side effects are injection-site reactions, while allergic reactions can also occur. For people who haven’t responded well to oral CGRP medications like Nurtec, Emgality may be an alternative preventive treatment.
RELATED: Emgality vs. Nurtec: Differences, similarities & side effects
Compare Nurtec alternatives |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Nurtec (rimegepant) | $1,417 for 8 orally disintegrating tablets | $952 for 8 orally disintegrating tablets of brand-name Nurtec at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Qulipta (atogepant) | $1,623 for 30, 60 mg tablets | $1,073 for 30, 60 mg tablets of brand-name Qulipta at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Ubrelvy (ubrogepant) | $1,490 for 10, 100 mg tablets | $1,040 for 10, 100 mg tablets of brand-name Ubrelvy at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Zavzpret (zavegepant) | $1,539 per 6, 10 mg/act solutions | $1,165 per 6, 10 mg/act solutions of brand-name Zavzpret at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Aimovig (erenumab) | $1,057 for 1 mL of 140 mg/mL injection pen
(one month supply) |
$767 for 1 mL of 140 mg/mL injection pen of brand-name Aimovig at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Emgality (galcanezumab) | $1,023 for 1 mL of 120 mg/mL autoinjector (one month supply) | $620 for 1 mL of 120 mg/mL autoinjector of brand-name Emgality at CVS Pharmacy | See latest prices |
Other alternatives to Nurtec
Other alternatives include prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen. Older ergot drugs are rarely used now due to side effects, while triptans remain a first-line option, mainly for treating rather than preventing migraines.
Prescription migraine pain relievers:
Over-the-counter migraine pain relievers:
- Tylenol (acetaminophen)
- Excedrin Migraine (acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine)
- Advil (ibuprofen)
- Aleve (naproxen)
Ergots:
Triptans:
- Maxalt (rizatriptan)
- Frovatriptan
- Imitrex (sumatriptan)
- Relpax (eletriptan)
- Zomig (zolmitriptan)
RELATED: Migraine medications and treatments
Natural alternatives to Nurtec
Some people may use supplements and other non-drug approaches alongside migraine medications. Dietary supplements are not FDA approved to treat or prevent migraine, and evidence of their effectiveness varies. Talk to a healthcare provider before starting a supplement, especially if you take other medications.
- Magnesium: Low magnesium levels have been linked to migraines. Taking magnesium supplements may help reduce the frequency of attacks, especially in people with menstrual-related migraines.
- Riboflavin (vitamin B2): Daily riboflavin supplementation may help reduce migraine frequency and is commonly used for migraine prevention.
- Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10): This antioxidant may help improve energy production in brain cells, with studies suggesting it can reduce migraine days and the duration of migraine attacks.
- Butterbur (Petasites hybridus): Extracts of this herb may help reduce migraine symptoms by blocking the release of CGRP during acute migraine attacks. Placebo-controlled trials show it may help reduce migraine frequency.
- Feverfew: Feverfew has traditionally been used for headaches, but research on its effectiveness for reducing the frequency or severity of migraines has produced mixed results.
Lifestyle changes may also help manage migraine. These include identifying and limiting avoidable triggers, staying hydrated, exercising regularly, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, managing stress, and eating regular meals. Common migraine triggers can include stress, changes in sleep, caffeine or alcohol, dehydration, certain smells, and weather changes.
During a migraine attack, home remedies such as resting in a quiet, dark room, applying a cold pack to the forehead or neck, and staying hydrated may help ease symptoms.
RELATED: Home remedies for headaches | The best diet for migraine
How to switch to a Nurtec alternative
1. Discuss all health conditions with a healthcare provider
Before switching from Nurtec to an alternative, make sure your healthcare provider is aware of all medical conditions. Some migraine medications require dose adjustments or should be avoided with certain conditions. For example, Ubrelvy requires a lower dose in people with severe liver impairment, while Zavzpret should be avoided in people with severe liver impairment.
2. Do not suddenly stop taking Nurtec without medical advice
Talk to your healthcare provider before stopping Nurtec or switching to another migraine medication. Nurtec does not require tapering, but your healthcare provider can help determine when to stop it and how to start an alternative so that acute or preventive migraine treatment is not interrupted.
3. Share all prescription and over-the-counter medications with a healthcare provider
Share a complete medication list with your healthcare provider before switching from Nurtec. Some alternatives can interact with prescription drugs, OTC medications, and supplements. Reviewing everything you take can help prevent potentially harmful drug interactions.
4. Continue to improve lifestyle changes for managing migraines
Continue lifestyle habits that help manage migraine, such as avoiding known triggers, staying hydrated, eating regular meals, exercising, and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule. A healthcare provider or pharmacist can also recommend prevention strategies based on your symptoms and treatment needs.
RELATED: Nurtec copay card: Save on migraine medication
The SingleCare prices in this article are the most accurate at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of Oct. 15, 2026. Prices vary by pharmacy. Visit our coupon page for updated drug prices at pharmacies near you.
- Qulipta atogepant tablet prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine) (2025)
- Comparative efficacy, quality of life, safety, and tolerability of atogepant and rimegepant in migraine prevention: A matching-adjusted indirect comparison analysis, Cephalalgia (2024)
- Ubrelvy ubrogepant tablet prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine) (2025)
- The effectiveness and value of novel acute treatments for migraine, Journal of Managed Care + Specialty Pharmacy (2020)
- Aimovig erenumab-aooe injection prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine) (2026)
- A controlled trial of erenumab for episodic migraine, New England Journal of Medicine (2017)
- Magnesium and migraine, Nutrients (2025)
- Effect of vitamin B2 supplementation on migraine prophylaxis: a systematic review and meta-analysis, Nutritional Neuroscience (2022)
- Evaluating the role of coenzyme Q10 in migraine therapy—a narrative review, Antioxidants (2025)
- Petasites for migraine prevention: new data on mode of action, pharmacology and safety. A narrative review, Frontiers in Neurology (2022)
- Exploring the phytochemistry, signaling pathways, and mechanisms of action of Tanacetum parthenium (L.) Sch.Bip.: a comprehensive literature review, Biomedicines (2024)
- Medically accurate: SingleCare’s Medical Review Board analyzes all of our content to confirm it’s in line with current medical advice.
- Evidence-based: Our content is sourced from reputable U.S.-based healthcare professionals and peer-reviewed research.
- Trustworthy: All of SingleCare’s content goes through a multi-phase review process by our writers, editors, and Medical Board in order to provide clear and credible information.