Nurtec generic availability, cost, and dosage

In this article:

• Generic Nurtec
• Generic vs. brand-name Nurtec
• Generic Nurtec cost
• Off-label uses
• Is Nurtec covered by insurance?
• How to get coverage
• Alternatives
• How to switch
• Long-term use
• Expert takeaway

In this article

• Generic Nurtec
• Generic vs. brand-name Nurtec
• Generic Nurtec cost
• Off-label uses
• Is Nurtec covered by insurance?
• How to get coverage
• Alternatives
• How to switch
• Long-term use
• Expert takeaway

Since its FDA approval in 2020 as an acute and preventive treatment of episodic migraine headaches, Nurtec has become a popular prescription drug for adults. And although it’s an effective treatment, some individuals may still want to know whether generic versions or alternatives are available. Currently, Nurtec is only available as a brand-name drug. No generic version is available until at least 2039, when the brand-name patent expires. Other alternatives may be available in the meantime if cost is a concern. 

Nurtec generic availability
Generic name	Rimegepant
Is there a generic available for sale in the U.S.?	No
When will a generic be available?	March 2039 (tentative and based on FDA approval)

Is there a generic for Nurtec?

There is no generic version of Nurtec (generic name: rimegepant) currently available. And it doesn’t appear that one will hit the market anytime soon, since Nurtec’s manufacturer, Pfizer, has a patent on the drug until 2039. 

But don’t expect to see a generic on pharmacy shelves the day after the patent expires, either. According to a Canadian study, the average time to develop a generic drug after the brand-name patent has expired is about 1.5 years. That average might be slightly different in the U.S., but those waiting for a Nurtec generic might wait until 2040 or later. 

What are the differences between generic vs. brand-name Nurtec?

Even when a generic version of rimegepant hits the market, some might wonder if it’s actually a viable alternative to brand-name Nurtec ODT. The answer is yes. The Food and Drug Administration requires that all generics be virtually identical to their reference products. That means they must have the same:

• Active ingredient
• Strength
• Dosage form (tablet, capsule, liquid, etc.)
• Administration route (oral, topical, injection, etc.)

Additionally, generic drugs must work the same way in the body. “During a migraine, CGRP levels rise, causing blood vessels in the brain to widen and triggering inflammation and pain,” says Dr. James Lyons, MD, a medical consultant at Synergy Houses. “By stopping CGRP from binding to its receptors, Nurtec helps reduce these effects, easing migraine symptoms and even preventing future attacks when taken regularly.” An approved generic would function similarly and be available in the same format, currently a 75 mg orally disintegrating tablet taken as needed or every other day.

But are generics as effective? Research suggests that they are. A study from 2019 compared brand-name and generic drugs for several chronic diseases, including high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, and mental health conditions, and found that they performed virtually the same. Likewise, a study on antihypertensive drugs found that generics match brand-name drugs in preventing cardiovascular disease, with regard to safety and efficacy. 

“Brand-name and generic drugs should be equally efficacious because they share the same active ingredient to treat the indicated condition,” says Dr. Tiffany Khieu, Pharm.D., an assistant professor at Marshall B. Ketchum University. “If differences do exist, it is seen in the excipients, also known as the non-active ingredients,” such as dyes, fillers, or coating agents. 

The major difference between them isn’t in the biochemistry, active ingredient, administration, or dosage, but in the price. Generics are typically much cheaper than brand-name drugs. 

How much does generic Nurtec cost?

It’s tough to imagine the pharmaceutical and economic landscape a decade from now, but if everything stays the same, the eventual generic rimegepant will likely be much more affordable than Nurtec. 

For people who pay out of pocket, Nurtec typically costs about $1,407 for a box of 8 disintegrating tablets (a single dose taken every other day, as needed). Without a generic on the market, we can’t directly compare prices, but generics can be 80–85% less expensive than their brand-name counterparts. 

What are the off-label uses for Nurtec?

When a drug isn’t technically approved to treat a certain medical condition, but when a doctor prescribes it anyway, that’s an off-label prescription. They’re totally legal, and many prescription drugs have a few specific uses that aren’t listed on the label. “The majority of data available is on the prevention of migraines and treatment of acute migraines,” Dr. Khieu says. So Nurtec’s only FDA approvals are for the acute treatment of migraine headaches (with or without aura) and the preventative treatment of migraine episodes.

“However, some doctors may use it off-label for other headache disorders, like cluster headaches or post-concussion headaches,” and “research is still ongoing into whether CGRP inhibitors like Nurtec could be helpful for other neurological conditions,” Dr. Lyons says. 

Is Nurtec covered by insurance?

Nurtec ODT is often covered by commercial insurance plans, as well as some Medicare and Medicaid plans. Nurtec’s website says that 96% of people with commercial health insurance received coverage for the drug. 

As a relatively newer brand-name drug, Nurtec may be on a higher tier in formularies. That means it may not be a preferred drug and may cost more than other medications.

If Nurtec is covered, you may still be responsible for a copay or coinsurance amount. If you haven’t met your deductible, you may have to pay the full retail cost of the drug. Insurance coverage will ultimately vary by plan. 

How do you get Nurtec covered by insurance?

Many insurance plans require prior authorization to cover Nurtec. Your healthcare provider will have to submit documentation about your medical history and why Nurtec is medically necessary before insurance covers it. 

In some cases, insurance plans may require step therapy. In other words, they’ll require you to try and fail other migraine treatments before approving Nurtec. It’s best to consult your health insurance provider to see why coverage has been denied. They can explain what you need to do to get Nurtec covered. 

There are also other ways to save if insurance doesn’t cover Nurtec, like free Nurtec coupons and the Nurtec copay card. 

Generic alternatives to Nurtec

Like Nurtec, many other CGRP inhibitors or monoclonal antibodies don’t have generic versions available. However, older treatment options may be available as generics and can be just as effective for migraine symptoms.

Some common Nurtec alternatives for migraine prevention or pain relief include:

• Triptans: Frova (frovatriptan), Maxalt (rizatriptan)
• Ergots: Ergomar (ergotamine), dihydroergotamine
• Over-the-counter medications: NSAIDs like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin

If you prefer a medication that works similarly to Nurtec, other CGRP inhibitors include:

• Qulipta (atogepant) 
• Ubrelvy (ubrogepant)
• Zavzpret (zavegepant) 
• Emgality (galcanezumab) 
• Aimovig (erenumab)
• Ajovy (fremanezumab) 

You may want to compare the costs of these brand-name medications and discuss alternatives with a healthcare provider. In many cases, an older generic medication may be a recommended option if the cost of the brand-name medication is too high.

How to switch from Nurtec to an alternative

So if generic Nurtec is unavailable, but you want a substitute, what do you do? The first step is getting medical advice from a licensed healthcare provider. They can help determine which option might be best for you. 

Other treatment options might not be cheaper across the board, but some of them might have generic options, and others might work better with your specific insurance plan. 

Regardless, “Switching between migraine medications should always be done with a doctor’s guidance,” Dr. Lyons says. “If moving from Nurtec to another CGRP inhibitor, the transition is usually simple since they work similarly. However, if switching to triptans or preventive meds, it is important to monitor how well the new medication works and whether there are any side effects or interactions.”

There’s no evidence that a change from Nurtec can cause withdrawals, but it’s still best to establish a transition plan with your healthcare provider first. That way, you can avoid potential drug interactions and move to a medicine that’s well-suited to your condition. 

Long-term use of Nurtec

While each migraine headache might only last for a couple of hours or days, they can recur over weeks and months, so Nurtec can be a long-term treatment. Fortunately, “Nurtec is generally safe for long-term use and does not cause medication-overuse headaches, which can be an issue with some migraine treatments,” Dr. Lyons says. 

Those benefits are well documented in clinical studies. A 52-week study on 1,800 patients treated with rimegepant found that the patients’ use of analgesics or antiemetics for migraine treatment decreased over time. Another study of Nurtec ODT showed that almost 79% of patients treated with the drug over a full year reported at least a 30% reduction in monthly migraine days, while around 63% reported at least a 50% reduction. 

On top of that, the use of Nurtec ODT has relatively few adverse effects, even for long-term use. The most common side effects of Nurtec are nausea, abdominal pain, and indigestion, and these possible side effects don’t have any long-term consequences. The drug didn’t show any serious side effects in clinical trials, though it may cause allergic reactions such as rashes and trouble breathing. 

Expert takeaway

Although Nurtec is an effective option for migraines, its cost can be hard to overcome for many people. Older treatments like triptans and ergots have generic forms available and can still work well for treating migraines at a fraction of the cost.