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Drug Info

Does Ubrelvy work on all headaches?

This drug works quickly to stop acute migraine attacks. It’s not approved for other types.
Valerie Williams headshot
By | Jul. 18, 2025 Medically reviewed by Karen Berger, Pharm.D.
Hands holding a glass of water and migraine meds - does ubrelvy work on all headaches

Key takeaways

  • Ubrelvy is a prescription drug to treat migraine headaches with or without aura in adults.

  • Ubrelvy is not approved to treat other types of headaches, including tension and cluster headaches.

  • This drug works quickly to address acute migraine attacks, often reducing symptoms in less than two hours.

In this article:

Ubrelvy (ubrogepant) is a brand-name medication that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the acute treatment of migraine, with or without aura, in adults. Ubrelvy is very effective at stopping a migraine headache in its tracks. The ACHIEVE I and II clinical trials found that a significantly higher proportion of people taking ubrogepant felt better and were able to function normally within two hours of taking the medication, compared to a placebo (inactive treatment). 

Ubrelvy belongs to a drug class called calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonists, also known as gepants. Drugs in this class work by blocking receptors involved in migraine pain. Ubrelvy is a tablet taken by mouth at the first symptoms of an oncoming migraine attack. It is not used to prevent migraine or treat other types of headaches. Here’s why.

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Does Ubrelvy work on all headaches?

“It’s only approved and effective for migraines,” explains Kimberly Idoko, MD, a board-certified neurologist and medical director at Everwell Neuro. “It hasn’t been studied for other headache types, so it shouldn’t be used for those.” In other words, it hasn’t been studied for tension, sinus, cluster, caffeine, exertion, or hormonal headaches. These types of headaches have different underlying causes from migraine.

For example, a tension headache is a tightening in the neck and scalp caused by stress, poor posture, or lack of sleep. Medication, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can alleviate pain. A migraine is a neurological condition thought to be caused in part by the CGRP protein triggering inflammation in the brain. Migraine medication targets blood vessels and chemicals in the brain.

There are several types of medications used to treat and prevent migraine. Preventive medications are taken daily and stop a migraine headache before it starts. They can include:

Abortive medications are designed to stop migraine pain after its onset. These prescriptions can include:

Each type of medication works slightly differently. For example, triptans cause vasoconstriction, or narrow blood vessels, to relieve migraine headaches. “Gepants inhibit the CGRP receptor responsible for pain transmission but have no effect on blood vessels,” explains Charles Carlsen, MD, Chief Technology Officer with Dr. Sono. “If you have a headache that doesn’t meet the criteria of a migraine, be sure to talk to your healthcare professional so that you receive a proper diagnosis and treatment.”

How to take Ubrelvy

Ubrelvy is an oral tablet available in two different strengths: 50 mg or 100 mg. “It’s meant to be taken when a migraine has already started, so you can take it once the pain begins,” Dr. Idoko says.

If one dose is not working to treat your migraine symptoms, a second dose of Ubrelvy may be taken as directed by your healthcare provider. “As needed, a repeat dose is taken after a period of two hours, but no more than 200 mg should be consumed over a 24-hour period,” Dr. Carlsen says. 

How long does Ubrelvy take to work?

Ubrelvy should provide migraine pain relief within about two hours. However, a few factors affect how quickly it works:

  • Timing: You can take Ubrelvy at any time during a migraine headache, but the sooner you take it at the onset of symptoms, the faster it should work to relieve your migraine pain and discomfort. 
  • Diet: A high-fat meal can slow its absorption. You should not take a second tablet within 24 hours if you consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice. can interact with Ubrelvy.
  • Drug interactions: “Ubrelvy is metabolized by CYP3A4, so strong inhibitors (like certain antifungals or antivirals) can increase its levels, and strong inducers (like some seizure medications) can reduce its effect,” Dr. Idoko says. 

Be sure to share a list of all over-the-counter medications, supplements, and prescription drugs you take with your pharmacist and healthcare provider. Many different medications can interact with Ubrelvy, such as verapamil, cyclosporine, ciprofloxacin, fluconazole, fluvoxamine, ketoconazole, clarithromycin, itraconazole, phenytoin, and rifampin. St. John’s wort is also a strong CYP3A4 inducer and should be avoided when using Ubrelvy.

Ubrelvy side effects

Ubrelvy side effects are minimal and usually mild and short-lived, according to Dr. Carlsen. The most common side effects include: 

  • Nausea
  • Dry mouth
  • Sleepiness

Less common but more serious side effects of Ubrelvy include: 

  • High blood pressure
  • Raynaud’s phenomenon, which is a circulation problem that can lead to feelings of numbness, cold, and pain in the fingers and toes
  • An allergic reaction, which could cause difficulty breathing, hives, and swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat

Seek emergency medical treatment immediately if you experience signs of an allergic reaction. If you experience any unexpected side effects from taking Ubrelvy, be sure to seek medical advice from a healthcare provider. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, check in with your healthcare provider as well.

What can I take instead of Ubrelvy?

If Ubrelvy doesn’t work well to alleviate your migraine, there are several other options for acute migraine treatment. The most common Ubrelvy alternatives include:

Additionally, your healthcare team may add preventive medication if you have frequent migraines or rescue treatments for specific symptoms, such as pain relief medication (such as ibuprofen) or anti-nausea medication (such as ondansetron).

Certain supplements may also help reduce the frequency and length of migraine attacks, including:

The bottom line

Ubrelvy is used exclusively to treat migraine headaches. It is not known to be effective and has not been studied for treating other types of headaches. Always seek advice from a healthcare provider before making decisions about which medication to take for your migraine headaches. If the medication you are using isn’t working, whether it’s Ubrelvy or another type of migraine treatment, consult your healthcare provider to figure out the next step.