{"id":631458,"date":"2025-02-25T10:14:32","date_gmt":"2025-02-25T15:14:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=631458"},"modified":"2026-01-28T13:43:45","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T18:43:45","slug":"qulipta-side-effects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/qulipta-side-effects\/","title":{"rendered":"Qulipta side effects and how to avoid them"},"content":{"rendered":"

Qulipta<\/span><\/a> (atogepant) is a brand-name drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a preventive treatment for migraines, including both episodic migraines and chronic migraines. Qulipta is similar to Nurtec ODT in that both are in the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist drug class. Clinical studies confirm the benefits of Qulipta as a migraine treatment. With that said, it can have side effects.<\/span><\/p>\n

Common side effects of Qulipta<\/span><\/h2>\n

Nausea, constipation, and fatigue or sleepiness are the most common possible side effects of Qulipta, according to the FDA, and they’re more common in women. Those symptoms (plus decreased appetite) were assessed in clinical trials. The FDA label shared the following information:<\/span><\/p>\n

Nausea<\/span><\/h3>\n

Five percent of 10 mg Qulipta users experienced nausea, as well as 6% of 30 mg users and 9% of 60 mg users. This is compared to the placebo users, in which 3% experienced nausea.<\/span><\/p>\n

Constipation\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Six percent of 10 mg Qulipta users, 6% of 30 mg users, and 8% of 60 mg users experienced constipation. This is compared to 2% of placebo users.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fatigue or somnolence<\/span><\/h3>\n

Four percent of 10 mg Qulipta users, 4% of 30 mg users, and 5% of 60 mg users experienced fatigue or somnolence. This is compared to the placebo users, in which 4% experienced fatigue or somnolence.<\/span><\/p>\n

Decreased appetite<\/span><\/h3>\n

Two percent of 10 mg Qulipta users, 1% of 30 mg users, and 3% of 60 mg users experienced a decreased appetite. This is compared to the placebo users, in which less than 1% experienced a decreased appetite.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dizziness<\/span><\/h3>\n

Two percent of 10 mg Qulipta users experienced dizziness, as well as 2% of 30 mg users and 3% of 60 mg users. This is compared to the placebo users, in which 2% experienced dizziness.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Compare Qulipta side effects by dose\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Dose<\/b><\/td>\nNausea<\/b><\/td>\nConstipation<\/b><\/td>\nFatigue or somnolence<\/b><\/td>\nDecreased appetite<\/b><\/td>\nDizziness<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10 mg<\/b><\/td>\n5%\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n6%<\/span><\/td>\n4%<\/span><\/td>\n2%<\/span><\/td>\n2%\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
30 mg<\/b><\/td>\n6%\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n6%<\/span><\/td>\n4%<\/span><\/td>\n1%<\/span><\/td>\n2%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
60 mg<\/b><\/td>\n9%\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n8%<\/span><\/td>\n5%<\/span><\/td>\n3%<\/span><\/td>\n3%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Placebo pill<\/b><\/td>\n3%\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n2%\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n4%\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<1%\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n2%\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Percentages reflect the proportion of people who reported each side effect in clinical trials. Source: <\/span><\/i>FDA<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/small><\/small><\/p>\n

Knowing these adverse reactions are possible with Qulipta is especially important because they’re common to other medications, too. \u201cI had one patient that started with Qulipta and Ozempic at the same time, and because both of the medications share some of the same side effects (nausea and vomiting) I was tricked into thinking it was the Ozempic until I figured it out and it was the Qulipta,\u201d says <\/span>Hany Demian<\/span><\/a>, MD, a pain management healthcare provider and CEO at BioSpine Institute.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Does Qulipta cause weight loss?<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Serious side effects of Qulipta<\/span><\/h2>\n

Qulipta can cause severe side effects, too, such as allergic reactions and anaphylaxis, according to the <\/span>FDA label<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mild symptoms of an allergic reaction include itching, hives, and a small rash. Some people may have symptoms of a serious allergic reaction to Qulipta, which can be life-threatening. Swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, and trouble breathing are signs of a serious allergic reaction. These signs constitute a medical emergency, in which the patient should immediately seek medical attention.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Clinical trial data on these side effects were not included, but real-life consumers have had them (and others). \u201cMost of my patients on Qulipta are able to tolerate the common and mild side effects like nausea, vomiting, and constipation,\u201d Dr. Demian says. \u201cProbably one-third to one-fourth of my patients can\u2019t tolerate the more serious side effects like chest pain, allergic reactions, and liver or kidney function elevation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

How soon do Qulipta side effects start?<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cQulipta side effects are fast and furious,\u201d Dr. Demian says. \u201cThey could happen in the first few days of taking it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The timing also depends on the specific effect. \u201cUsually, a hypersensitive reaction happens in minutes,\u201d says <\/span>Noor Yono<\/span><\/a>, MD, a neurologist and the medical director of Premier Neurology and Wellness Center. More common side effects, however, may develop over a few days, she adds.<\/span><\/p>\n

How long do Qulipta side effects last?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Unfortunately, there\u2019s no quick and easy answer here. \u201cSome side effects will subside in a few days or right after you stop the medication, and some are like an unwanted friend, stubborn and will last for weeks to months,\u201d Dr. Demian says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Again, it partially depends on the specific symptom. He says low-grade fever, nausea, vomiting, and constipation usually subside, whereas liver enzymes, kidney function, a racing heart rate, and wheezy lung issues can last longer and may become severe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Put another way: \u201cIn regard to the more common side effects, they might last for a period of one to two weeks, but possibly could continue for as long as the medicine is being used if the body does not adjust to this new medication,\u201d Dr. Yono says.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the long-term side effects of Qulipta?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Neither doctor has seen nor is aware of any long-term side effects of Qulipta. The longest Dr. Demian has seen a side effect last is five to six months.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut it is dose-dependent,\u201d he adds. \u201cI usually don\u2019t go high on the dose for patients.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Qulipta drug interactions<\/span><\/h2>\n

Drug interactions for Qulipta include concomitant use of the following:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n