Key takeaways
Qulipta (atogepant) is a prescription medication used to prevent migraine headaches.
Alternative prescription medications include CGRP receptor antagonists similar to Qulipta, beta blockers, antidepressants, blood pressure medications, and anti-seizure drugs.
Lifestyle changes are an important part of migraine prevention, including regular exercise, staying hydrated, eating at regular intervals, learning relaxation techniques, and avoiding migraine triggers.
Qulipta (atogepant) is a brand-name prescription medication used to prevent both chronic and episodic migraine headaches. Qulipta is a type of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist. These drugs block the action of a substance, CGRP, that provokes many of the symptoms of migraines, particularly pain. In this way, once-daily doses of Qulipta oral tablets help reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine headaches. Qulipta, though, may not be the best nor most affordable treatment for everyone. There are many alternatives, including nonpharmaceutical interventions that can help.
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RELATED: Migraine financial assistance and resources
What can I take instead of Qulipta?
Other options are available for migraine prevention. These alternative migraine preventive drugs include other CGRP receptor antagonists, as well as a select group of beta blockers, antidepressants, blood pressure medications, and anti-seizure drugs. Due to their different uses, side effect profiles, dosages, and costs, these options may be more suitable for certain individuals.
RELATED: Your guide to the newest migraine medications
Compare Qulipta alternatives |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Qulipta | $1,598 per 30, 60 mg tablets | $1,018 per 30, 60 mg tablets of brand-name Qulipta at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Nurtec ODT (rimegepant) | $1,417 for 8 orally disintegrating tablets | $923 for 8 orally disintegrating tablets of brand-name Nurtec at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Aimovig (erenumab) | $1,059 for 1, 1 mL of 140 mg/mL injection pen
(1 month supply) |
$768 for 1, 1 mL of 140 mg/mL injection pen of brand-name Aimovig at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Ajovy (fremanezumab) | $1,049 for 1, 1.5 mL of 225 mg/1.5 mL injection pen
(1 month supply) |
$690 for 1, 1.5 mL of 225 mg/1.5 mL injection pen of brand-name Ajovy at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Emgality (galcanezumab) | $1,006 for 1, 1 mL of 120 mg/mL autoinjector (1 month supply) | $622 for 1, 1 mL of 120 mg/mL autoinjector of brand-name Emgality at CVS Pharmacy | See latest prices |
| Inderal LA (long-acting propranolol) | $2,290 for 30, 60 mg capsules | $14 for 30, 60 mg capsules of generic Inderal LA at Walgreens | See latest prices |
Top 5 Qulipta alternatives
The following are some of the most common alternatives to Qulipta.
1. Nurtec
Nurtec (rimegepant) is a prescription medication used to treat and prevent migraine headaches. It is currently only available as a brand-name drug. Like Qulipta, Nurtec is an oral CGRP receptor antagonist. The American Headache Society states that CGRP receptor antagonists should be considered a first-line approach for migraine prevention, as their efficacy, tolerability, and safety exceed those of any other preventive treatment.
In a clinical study, participants assigned to receive Nurtec 75 mg every other day for twelve weeks had a greater reduction in migraine days per month than those assigned to placebo (4.3 fewer days versus 3.5 fewer days).
Common side effects of Nurtec include nausea, indigestion, and abdominal pain. For migraine prevention, Nurtec is taken once every other day by mouth and is available as an oral disintegrating tablet (ODT). For acute migraine treatment, Nurtec is taken as needed at the first sign of migraine symptoms.
Nurtec is a suitable Qulipta alternative for people who would like to continue taking oral medication.
RELATED: Qulipta vs. Nurtec: differences and similarities explained
2. Aimovig
Aimovig (erenumab) is a brand-name injectable CGRP receptor antagonist medication that can both prevent episodic and chronic migraines. This alternative comes in an auto-injector containing the medication in solution form that is injected under the skin in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.
Aimovig was the first FDA-approved CGRP receptor antagonist in 2018. Clinical studies have shown that at a monthly dose of 70 mg or 140 mg, Aimovig significantly reduced migraine frequency, the effects of migraines on daily activities, and the use of acute migraine-specific medication over six months.
Aimovig is generally well-tolerated, can be administered at home, and is safe. This alternative is conveniently administered once a month, and a healthcare provider will provide proper injection training before the first use. Like Qulipta, Aimovig may cause hypertension, so it’s recommended to monitor for the onset or worsening of hypertension.
Aimovig is a well-suited alternative for those who have not responded to other migraine prevention treatments and are tolerant of injections.
RELATED: How to save on Aimovig
3. Ajovy
Ajovy (fremanezumab) is another brand-name injectable CGRP receptor antagonist medication that is recommended for episodic and chronic migraine prevention. Ajovy comes in two different subcutaneous (administered under the skin) forms: an auto-injector and a prefilled syringe.
This alternative has two convenient dosing options: once a month or once every three months. Ajovy has shown long-term efficacy in trials, with both quarterly and monthly dosing well tolerated and sustained improvements in monthly migraine days, headache days, and headache-related disability for up to 12 months in patients with migraine. The most common side effect of Ajovy and other injectable CGRP receptor antagonists is injection-site reactions like pain and redness.
Ajovy may be suitable for those who prefer less frequent dosing and are comfortable with giving themselves injections.
4. Emgality
Emgality (galcanezumab) is the third injectable CGRP receptor antagonist medication used to prevent both episodic and chronic migraines. Emgality also has a unique dose approved for preventing cluster headaches, a rare and severe type of headache. This injectable alternative is available as an auto-injector and a prefilled syringe. After an initial loading dose (a higher starter dose), Emgality is administered once a month.
A clinical trial evaluating people who have failed at least two to four other migraine preventative drug categories found Emgality was safe and well-tolerated. It concluded that Emgality is an important treatment option for those who have not benefited from or tolerated previous standard-of-care treatments.
5. Propranolol (Inderal LA)
Propranolol is a generic prescription oral medication available in extended-release formulation (Inderal LA) and immediate-release formulation. Propranolol is a beta blocker that can be used to prevent migraines, as well as to treat hypertension, angina (chest pain associated with coronary artery disease), cardiac arrhythmias, and tremor, and to reduce death post-heart attack. Beta blockers like propranolol are about 50% effective at producing a greater-than-50 % reduction in migraine frequency. It’s important to know that it often takes several weeks to notice improvement in headaches with beta blockers.
Propranolol is available as both an oral tablet and a capsule, depending on the formulation. The extended-release formulation is taken once daily, and the immediate-release formulation is taken 2 or 3 times daily.
Beta blockers like propranolol can have many common side effects, such as dizziness, fatigue, low blood pressure (hypotension), and changes in heart rate. This may be a suitable alternative for people who have not responded to other migraine medications.
RELATED: Propranolol side effects
Natural alternatives to Qulipta
Alternative remedies are an important part of migraine prevention. A variety of migraine and headache guidelines from clinical organizations recommend education and lifestyle modifications that can improve the quality of life for those with migraines.
The American Headache Society emphasizes the importance of migraine treatment plans that include identifying and minimizing exposure to migraine triggers, proper nutrition, regular exercise, adequate hydration, adequate sleep, stress management, and a migraine diary. Common migraine triggers include changes in sleep schedule, dehydration, hormone changes, stress, an increase in caffeine or alcohol intake, weather changes, and certain smells.
Supplements, such as magnesium oxide, may also be considered or added to help prevent migraines. The American Migraine Foundation considers magnesium oxide supplements a reasonable prevention option for people with a history of aura (visual or sensory disturbances before or after migraines) and migraines related to menstruation. This supplement is available in several oral forms, such as tablets and capsules, and the usual dose for migraine prevention is 400-600 mg per day.
How to switch to a Qulipta alternative
1. Discuss all health conditions with a healthcare provider
Before switching from Qulipta to an alternative, the healthcare provider should be aware of all medical conditions. Some alternatives should be used with caution or avoided with certain medical conditions.
2. Do not suddenly stop taking Qulipta without medical advice
While Qulipta can be safely discontinued and is not believed to cause withdrawal effects, it’s important for a migraine prevention plan to be established to avoid an abrupt increase in the strength or frequency of migraines. If the healthcare provider has been consulted and decided that stopping the medication is appropriate, Qulipta can be safely stopped.
3. Discuss all prescription and over-the-counter medications with a healthcare provider
Before switching from Qulipta to an alternative, the healthcare provider must review a complete medication list, including prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications and supplements. Certain alternatives have dangerous drug interactions that should be avoided.
4. Continue to improve lifestyle changes and avoid migraine triggers
Following lifestyle changes and continuing to avoid migraine triggers are important for people treating and preventing migraines. Stay hydrated, manage stress, and maintain a healthy sleep schedule. Healthcare providers and pharmacists can advise on migraine prevention and provide resources for migraine diaries.
The SingleCare prices in this article are the most accurate at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of Jul. 9, 2026. Prices vary by pharmacy. Visit our coupon page for updated drug prices at pharmacies near you.
- Calcitonin gene-related peptide-targeting therapies are a first-line option for the prevention of migraine: An American Headache Society position statement update, The American Headache Society (2024)
- Oral rimegepant for preventive treatment of migraine: a phase 2/3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, Lancet (2021)
- Nurtec ODT rimegepant tablet prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine) (2026)
- A controlled trial of erenumab for episodic migraine, New England Journal of Medicine (2017)
- Long-term safety, tolerability, and efficacy of fremanezumab in migraine, Neurology (2020)
- Emgality galcanezumab-gnlm injection prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine) (2026)
- Safety and efficacy of galcanezumab in patients for whom previous migraine preventive medication from two to four categories had failed (CONQUER): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3b trial, Lancet Neurology (2020)
- Preventive migraine treatment, Continuum (2015)
- Inderal LA propranolol hydrochloride tablet prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine) (2024)
- Top 10 migraine triggers and how to deal with them, American Migraine Foundation (2017)
- Is taking magnesium good for migraine?, American Migraine Foundation (2021)
- Tracking diaries: how tracking headache can improve your care, National Headache Foundation (2026)
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