Nurtec ODT interactions: Alcohol, medications, and other factors

Before you start treatment with Nurtec ODT, tell your doctor and pharmacist which prescription, over-the-counter, and other medications you take. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions. (To learn whether Nurtec ODT interacts with supplements, herbs, or vitamins, see the “Nurtec ODT and other interactions” section below.)

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Here’s a table listing some drugs that can interact with Nurtec ODT. Keep in mind that this table does not include all drugs that may interact with Nurtec ODT. Some of these interactions are described in detail just below in “Drug interactions in depth.”

* For details about Nurtec ODT’s side effects, see this article.
† For details about this interaction, see the “Drug interactions in depth” section below.

Sometimes, due to certain factors or conditions, your doctor will not prescribe Nurtec ODT due to the risk of harm. These are known as contraindications. The contraindications of Nurtec ODT include:

Having had an allergic reaction to Nurtec ODT or any of its ingredients

If you have had an allergic reaction to Nurtec ODT or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Nurtec ODT. Taking the drug could cause another allergic reaction. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better choices for you.

Note: Before you start treatment with Nurtec ODT, it is important to tell your doctor if this contraindication applies to you. They can determine whether to prescribe Nurtec ODT.

There are not any known interactions between Nurtec ODT and alcohol. However, if you drink alcohol, your doctor may advise you to avoid or limit consumption during Nurtec ODT treatment. This is because alcohol can be a migraine trigger for some people. (Nurtec ODT is used to treat and help prevent migraine episodes.)

Drinking alcohol while taking the drug may also worsen some of Nurtec ODT’s side effects. For example, you may experience worsened nausea or abdominal pain.

If you have questions about avoiding or limiting alcohol while taking Nurtec ODT, talk with your doctor.

Here’s a closer look at certain drug interactions of Nurtec ODT.

Certain antibiotics

Doctors prescribe antibiotics to treat bacterial infections.

Interaction result: Taking Nurtec ODT with certain antibiotics could make Nurtec ODT less effective. Other antibiotics may increase the risk of side effects from Nurtec ODT. To learn about the side effects of Nurtec ODT, see this article.

Interaction explained: Nurtec ODT is broken down in the body by certain enzymes. (An enzyme is a type of protein.) Certain antibiotics speed up the activity of one of these enzymes. So, taking Nurtec ODT with these drugs could lower the level of Nurtec ODT in your body. This could make Nurtec ODT less effective.

Other antibiotics may slow down the activity of one of these enzymes. Taking Nurtec ODT with these drugs could raise the level of Nurtec ODT in your system. This may increase your risk of side effects from Nurtec ODT.

Examples of antibiotic drugs: Here are some antibiotics that may interact with Nurtec ODT:

• clarithromycin
• erythromycin (Eryc, Ery-Tab, others)
• rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)

Steps you or your doctor may take: Before starting an antibiotic, be sure the doctor prescribing the antibiotic knows that you’re taking Nurtec ODT. They can recommend whether it’s safe to take the antibiotic with this drug.

Sometimes, a doctor may prescribe Nurtec ODT with an antibiotic it interacts with. If so, they may adjust your dosage schedule for Nurtec ODT. Doing so could help lower your risk of an interaction between these drugs. To learn more about the dosage of Nurtec ODT, see this article.

If you have other questions about Nurtec ODT and certain antibiotics, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Certain antifungals

Doctors prescribe antifungals to treat fungal infections.

Interaction result: Taking Nurtec ODT with certain antifungals could increase the risk of side effects from Nurtec ODT. To learn about the side effects of Nurtec ODT, see this article.

Interaction explained: Nurtec ODT is broken down in the body by specific enzymes. Certain antifungals may slow the activity of one of these enzymes, raising the level of Nurtec ODT in your body. Having a high level of the drug in your system could increase your risk of side effects from Nurtec ODT.

Examples of antifungal drugs: Itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura) and fluconazole (Diflucan) are examples of antifungals that may interact with Nurtec ODT.

Steps you or your doctor may take: Before starting an antifungal treatment, make sure the doctor prescribing the antifungal knows that you’re taking Nurtec ODT. They can tell you whether it’s safe to take these medications together.

A doctor may still prescribe Nurtec ODT with an antifungal the drug interacts with. If so, they’ll likely adjust your Nurtec ODT dosing schedule. This could reduce your risk of side effects from Nurtec ODT. To learn more about the dosage of Nurtec ODT, see this article.

If you have other questions about Nurtec ODT and certain antifungals, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Certain heart-related drugs

Doctors prescribe heart-related drugs for various cardiovascular conditions. Examples include irregular heart rhythm, angina (a type of chest pain), and high blood pressure.

Interaction result: Taking Nurtec ODT with certain heart-related drugs may increase the risk of side effects from Nurtec ODT. To learn about the side effects of Nurtec ODT, see this article.

Interaction explained: Nurtec ODT is broken down in the body by certain enzymes. Taking Nurtec ODT with heart-related drugs that slow down enzyme activity could raise the level of Nurtec ODT in your system. This could increase your risk of side effects from Nurtec ODT.

Examples of heart-related drugs: Here are some heart-related drugs that may interact with Nurtec ODT:

• amiodarone (Nexterone, Pacerone)
• quinidine
• ranolazine (Aspruzyo Sprinkle)
• verapamil (Verelan, Verelan PM)

Steps you or your doctor may take: Before starting Nurtec ODT, tell your doctor if you take any heart-related medications. They can recommend whether it’s safe to take them with Nurtec ODT.

It’s possible your doctor may still prescribe Nurtec ODT with a heart-related drug it interacts with. If so, they may adjust your dosing schedule of Nurtec ODT. This could reduce your risk of side effects from Nurtec ODT.

If you have other questions about this interaction, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Nurtec ODT may have other interactions, such as with supplements, foods, vaccines, or even lab tests. You’ll find details below. Keep in mind that the following information does not include all other possible interactions with Nurtec ODT.

Nurtec ODT interactions with supplements

Before you start treatment with Nurtec ODT, tell your doctor and pharmacist which supplements, herbs, and vitamins you take. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Nurtec ODT interactions with herbs

Doctors may recommend that you avoid taking St. John’s wort with Nurtec ODT. St. John’s wort is an herbal supplement that some people use to treat depression and other conditions.

St. John’s wort may speed up the breakdown of Nurtec ODT in your body. This could lower the level of Nurtec ODT in your system, making the drug less effective.

Your doctor may suggest a treatment option other than St. John’s wort. If you have other questions about this interaction, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Nurtec ODT and vitamins

There are no specific reports of vitamins interacting with Nurtec ODT. However, that doesn’t mean vitamin interactions won’t occur or be recognized in the future. Because of this, you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any vitamin product with Nurtec ODT.

Nurtec ODT interactions with food

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Nurtec ODT.

Specifically, grapefruit products can slow the breakdown of Nurtec ODT in your body. This could raise the level of Nurtec ODT in your system, increasing your risk of side effects from the drug.*

Due to this risk, your doctor may recommend avoiding grapefruit and grapefruit juice while you’re taking Nurtec ODT.

If you’d like to learn more about eating certain foods during treatment with Nurtec ODT, talk with your doctor.

* For details about Nurtec ODT’s side effects, see this article.

Nurtec ODT and vaccines

There are noand known interactions between Nurtec ODT and vaccines. Ask your doctor or pharmacist whether you’re due for any vaccines.

Nurtec ODT and lab tests

Nurtec ODT is not known to interact with any lab tests. If you have concerns about this medication interacting with lab tests, talk with your doctor.

NURTEC ODT AND CANNABIS OR CBD

Cannabis (often called marijuana) and cannabis products, such as cannabidiol (CBD), have not been specifically reported to interact with Nurtec ODT. However, as with any drug or supplement, talk with your doctor before using cannabis in combination with Nurtec ODT. The impact of cannabis may affect how well you stick to your Nurtec ODT treatment plan.

Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.

Certain medical conditions and other factors may increase the risk of interactions with Nurtec ODT. Before you take this drug, be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history. Nurtec ODT may not be the right treatment option if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health.

Health conditions or factors that might interact with Nurtec ODT include:

• Kidney failure or receiving dialysis: Doctors typically won’t prescribe Nurtec ODT for people who have kidney failure. It is unknown for certain whether the drug is safe for people with this condition, including those who receive dialysis. Your doctor can recommend other treatment options for you.
• Severe liver problems: Before taking Nurtec ODT, tell your doctor if you have a severe liver problem. An example is liver failure. Having severe liver problems could cause a high level of Nurtec ODT in your body, which may increase your risk of side effects. Your doctor may prescribe a drug other than Nurtec ODT.
• Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Nurtec ODT or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Nurtec ODT. Taking the drug could cause another allergic reaction. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better choices for you.
• Breastfeeding: Small amounts of Nurtec ODT may pass into breast milk. However, it is unknown what effects Nurtec ODT may have on a child who is breastfed. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to, talk with your doctor before taking Nurtec ODT. They can talk with you about treatment options and ways to feed your child. You can also review this article about Nurtec ODT use while breastfeeding.
• Pregnancy: There have not been enough clinical trials to determine whether Nurtec ODT is safe to use while pregnant. Animal studies show that the drug may cause congenital anomalies (commonly known as birth defects). However, animal studies do not always indicate what may happen in humans. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, tell your doctor before starting Nurtec ODT. They can advise you on the right treatment plan for you. You can also review this article about Nurtec ODT use during pregnancy.

Note: If you’re prescribed Nurtec ODT while pregnant, consider enrolling in the drug’s pregnancy registry. This registry keeps track of issues that may occur when Nurtec ODT is taken during pregnancy. To learn more, call 877-366-0324 or visit the registry website. You can also talk with your doctor.

Here are some frequently asked questions about Nurtec ODT and possible interactions.

How do the interactions of Nurtec vs. sumatriptan compare?

Nurtec ODT and sumatriptan (Imitrex, Tosymra, others) have different interactions.

For example, Nurtec ODT may interact with antibiotics such as clarithromycin and erythromycin (Eryc, Ery-Tab, others).* However, sumatriptan is not known to interact with these medications. Sumatriptan interacts with other drugs that Nurtec ODT is not known to interact with.

Similar to Nurtec ODT, doctors prescribe sumatriptan to treat migraine episodes. Doctors also prescribe Nurtec ODT to help prevent migraine episodes in people with episodic migraine. (With episodic migraine, you experience migraine episodes fewer than 15 days per month.)

To learn more about Imitrex’s interactions, see this article. For details about interactions with other forms of sumatriptan, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* For details about this interaction, see the “Drug interactions in depth” section above.

Can I take Nurtec and sumatriptan together?

Possibly, if your doctor recommends it. There are no reports of Nurtec ODT interacting with sumatriptan (Imitrex, Tosymra, others). (See the question just above for more information about this.)

According to guidelines from the American Headache Society, both Nurtec ODT and sumatriptan are effective for treating migraine episodes. Keep in mind that doctors prescribe Nurtec ODT to help prevent migraine episodes in people with episodic migraine. Sumatriptan isn’t used for this purpose.

Your doctor can advise whether you can use these medications alone or together for your migraine episodes.

Can I take Nurtec and ibuprofen at the same time?

Yes, you can take Nurtec ODT at the same time as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) if your doctor recommends it. There are no reports of Nurtec ODT interacting with ibuprofen.

In clinical trials, some people took ibuprofen or other rescue medications 2 hours after taking Nurtec ODT. Rescue medications are taken for migraine symptoms that your migraine medication does not relieve. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including ibuprofen, may be used as rescue treatments for migraine.

Before taking ibuprofen or other rescue medications with Nurtec ODT, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can recommend whether the medication is safe for you.

Can I take Nurtec and Excedrin Migraine together?

Yes, it’s generally safe to take Nurtec ODT and Excedrin Migraine (acetaminophen/aspirin/caffeine) together if your doctor recommends it. There are no reports of these medications interacting with each other.

Excedrin Migraine is an example of a rescue medication taken to ease persistent migraine symptoms. In clinical trials, some people took a rescue medication 2 hours after taking Nurtec ODT.

However, it’s best to talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking Nurtec ODT with Excedrin Migraine or any rescue medication. They can advise you on whether the medication is safe for you.

Can I take Nurtec and tramadol together for migraine?

Yes, you can take Nurtec ODT with tramadol (Conzip, Qdolo) if your doctor recommends it. There are no reports of Nurtec ODT interacting with tramadol.

Tramadol is an opioid drug. Doctors prescribe it for pain, which may include pain that occurs with migraine episodes. The American Headache Society has found tramadol to be effective for treating migraine episodes when used in combination with acetaminophen (Tylenol). Unlike Nurtec ODT, doctors do not prescribe tramadol to help prevent migraine episodes.

Keep in mind that tramadol may interact with other migraine drugs, such as sumatriptan (Imitrex, Tosymra, others). If you have questions about taking tramadol with migraine drugs, including Nurtec ODT, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

You can take certain steps to help prevent interactions with Nurtec ODT. Your doctor and pharmacist are key resources, so reach out to them before starting treatment. For example, you should plan to do the following:

• Let them know if you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
• Tell them about any other medications you take, as well as any supplements, herbs, and vitamins.
• Create a medication list, which your doctor and pharmacist can help you fill out.

It’s also important to read the Nurtec ODT label and other paperwork that may come with the drug. The label may have colored stickers that mention an interaction. And the paperwork, sometimes called the medication guide or patient package insert, may contain details about interactions.

If Nurtec ODT does not come with paperwork, you can ask your pharmacist to print a copy. If you need help reading or understanding this information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

You can also help prevent interactions with Nurtec ODT by taking it exactly as your doctor prescribes.

Besides learning about interactions, you may want to find out more about Nurtec ODT. These resources might help:

• Overview of Nurtec ODT: For a general overview of Nurtec ODT, you can see this article.
• Side effects: If you’re interested in the side effects of Nurtec ODT, see this article. Another option is to refer to the Nurtec ODT prescribing information.
• Dosage specifics: To learn about the dosage of Nurtec ODT, see this article.
• Cost: If you’d like to learn about Nurtec ODT and cost, see this article.
• Facts about migraine: To learn more about migraine, see our headache and migraine hub.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.