Qulipta 10mg Tablets
Overview
What is this medicine?
How to Use This Medicine
To use this medication correctly, follow your doctor's instructions and read all the information provided. Take your medication as directed, with or without food. If you're undergoing dialysis, take your medication after your dialysis treatment on the day of treatment. If you have any questions or concerns, consult your doctor.
Storing and Disposing of Your Medication
Store your medication at room temperature in a dry location, avoiding the bathroom. Keep all medications in a safe place, out of reach of children and pets. Dispose of unused or expired medications properly. Do not flush them down the toilet or pour them down the drain unless instructed to do so. If you're unsure about the best way to dispose of your medication, consult your pharmacist. You may also want to check if there are drug take-back programs available in your area.
Missing a Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it's close to the time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular dosing schedule. Do not take two doses at the same time or take extra doses to make up for the missed one.
Lifestyle & Tips
- Take Qulipta exactly as prescribed by your doctor, once daily, with or without food.
- Do not stop taking Qulipta without talking to your doctor, even if you feel better.
- Continue to identify and avoid migraine triggers (e.g., stress, certain foods, lack of sleep).
- Maintain a regular sleep schedule, balanced diet, and engage in regular exercise.
- Stay hydrated and limit caffeine and alcohol intake.
Available Forms & Alternatives
Available Strengths:
Dosing & Administration
Adult Dosing
Condition-Specific Dosing:
Pediatric Dosing
Dose Adjustments
Renal Impairment:
Hepatic Impairment:
Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption:
Distribution:
Elimination:
Pharmacodynamics
Safety & Warnings
Side Effects
Although rare, this medication can cause severe and potentially life-threatening side effects. If you experience any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor or seek medical help right away:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, such as rash, hives, itching, red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever), wheezing, tightness in the chest or throat, trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking, unusual hoarseness, or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Other Possible Side Effects
Like all medications, this drug can cause side effects. While many people may not experience any side effects or only minor ones, it's essential to discuss any concerns with your doctor. Contact your doctor or seek medical help if you experience any of the following side effects or if they bother you or do not go away:
- Upset stomach
- Constipation
- Feeling sleepy
- Feeling tired or weak
Reporting Side Effects
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you have questions or concerns about side effects, consult your doctor. For medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088 or online at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention If You Experience:
- Severe constipation or nausea that does not improve
- Signs of liver problems (e.g., yellowing of skin or eyes, dark urine, severe stomach pain, unusual tiredness)
- Allergic reactions (e.g., rash, hives, swelling of face/lips/tongue, difficulty breathing)
Before Using This Medicine
It is essential to inform your doctor about the following:
Any allergies you have, including allergies to this medication, its components, or other substances, such as foods or drugs. Be sure to describe the allergic reaction you experienced, including any symptoms that occurred.
If you have a history of kidney disease or liver disease, as these conditions may affect how your body processes this medication.
This list is not exhaustive, and it is crucial to discuss all your health concerns with your doctor. To ensure safe treatment, please disclose all the following information to your doctor and pharmacist:
A complete list of all prescription and over-the-counter medications you are taking, including natural products and vitamins.
Any health problems you are experiencing or have experienced in the past.
Before starting, stopping, or changing the dose of any medication, including this one, consult with your doctor to confirm it is safe to do so. This will help prevent potential interactions and ensure the best possible treatment outcome.
Precautions & Cautions
Overdose Information
Overdose Symptoms:
- Limited information on overdose symptoms. Based on clinical trials, adverse events were similar to those at therapeutic doses, but potentially more severe.
What to Do:
In case of overdose, contact a poison control center (1-800-222-1222) or seek emergency medical attention immediately. Provide supportive care as clinically indicated.
Drug Interactions
Major Interactions
- Strong CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., rifampin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, St. John's wort): Co-administration is contraindicated due to significant reduction in atogepant exposure, leading to loss of efficacy.
Moderate Interactions
- Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin, ritonavir): Reduce atogepant dose to 10 mg once daily.
- Moderate CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., bosentan, efavirenz, etravirine, modafinil, nafcillin): Avoid co-administration due to potential for reduced atogepant exposure and loss of efficacy.
Minor Interactions
- Weak CYP3A4 inhibitors/inducers: No dosage adjustment needed.
- OATP inhibitors (e.g., cyclosporine, quinidine): No dosage adjustment needed, but monitor for increased atogepant exposure.
Monitoring
Routine Monitoring
Frequency: Monthly or as clinically indicated
Target: Reduction in migraine days
Action Threshold: Lack of significant improvement after 3 months may warrant re-evaluation of treatment.
Frequency: Regularly, especially during initial treatment
Target: Tolerable
Action Threshold: Persistent or severe adverse effects may require dose adjustment or discontinuation.
Symptom Monitoring
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Fatigue
- Somnolence
- Weight decrease
- Elevated liver enzymes (rare, but monitor for symptoms of liver injury)
Special Patient Groups
Pregnancy
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of Qulipta in pregnant women. Use during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. A pregnancy exposure registry exists for women exposed to Qulipta during pregnancy.
Trimester-Specific Risks:
Lactation
It is unknown if atogepant is excreted in human milk. Consider the developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding along with the motherβs clinical need for Qulipta and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from Qulipta or from the underlying maternal condition. Atogepant is present in the milk of lactating rats.
Pediatric Use
Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients (under 18 years of age) have not been established.
Geriatric Use
No overall differences in effectiveness or safety were observed between elderly patients (65 years and older) and younger adult patients. No dosage adjustment is required based on age alone.
Clinical Information
Clinical Pearls
- Qulipta is the first and only oral CGRP receptor antagonist approved for *both* episodic and chronic migraine prevention.
- It can be taken with or without food, at any time of day.
- Patients should be educated on the importance of consistent daily dosing for optimal efficacy.
- Counsel patients on potential gastrointestinal side effects like constipation and nausea, and strategies to manage them (e.g., increased fiber, fluids).
- Careful review of concomitant medications is crucial due to significant interactions with strong CYP3A4 inducers and inhibitors.
Alternative Therapies
- Beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol, metoprolol)
- Anticonvulsants (e.g., topiramate, valproate)
- Antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, venlafaxine)
- OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) for chronic migraine
- Non-pharmacological approaches (e.g., biofeedback, cognitive behavioral therapy, acupuncture)