Nurtec ODT (rimegepant) is a brand-name orally disintegrating tablet that’s prescribed to treat and help prevent migraine episodes in adults. As with other drugs, Nurtec ODT can cause side effects, such as nausea and indigestion.
Nurtec ODT belongs to a drug class called calcitonin gene-related peptide antagonists. The drug is not available in a generic version. Nurtec ODT is available as a 75-milligram (mg) orally disintegrating tablet (ODT), which dissolves after you place it on or underneath your tongue.
Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects of Nurtec ODT. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this article.
Nurtec ODT can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
These are the more common side effects reported by people who took Nurtec ODT in clinical trials:
For more information about these side effects, see “Side effect specifics” below.
Mild side effects can occur with Nurtec ODT treatment. For more information, you can refer to Nurtec ODT’s prescribing information.
Mild side effects that have been reported with Nurtec ODT are described in “Side effect specifics” below. These include:
These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Nurtec ODT and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.
Nurtec ODT may cause allergic reaction as a serious side effect. This side effect was rare in clinical trials For more information about allergic reaction, see “Side effect specifics” below.
If you develop allergic reaction while taking Nurtec ODT, call your doctor right away. If this side effect seems life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
No other serious side effects were reported in clinical trials of Nurtec ODT. To learn more, you can refer to Nurtec ODT’s prescribing information.
Nurtec ODT may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.
Does Nurtec ODT cause constipation?
No, Nurtec ODT isn’t known to cause constipation. This side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials of the drug.
However, other drugs that are taken to help prevent or treat migraine episodes may cause constipation. Examples of drugs that are known to cause this side effect include topiramate (Topamax) and erenumab (Aimovig).
If you have constipation while taking Nurtec ODT, talk with your doctor. They can help figure out the possible causes of your condition. And they can suggest ways to ease your symptoms.
Does Nurtec ODT cause weight changes?
No, Nurtec ODT isn’t likely to cause weight changes. Weight gain and weight loss weren’t reported as side effects in clinical trials of the drug.
However, other drugs that are taken to help prevent or treat migraine episodes may cause weight changes. Examples include propranolol (InnoPran XL, Inderal LA), topiramate (Topamax), and divalproex (Depakote).
If you’re concerned about weight changes while taking Nurtec ODT, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Can Nurtec ODT cause rebound headaches?
Most likely, no. Rebound headaches weren’t reported as a side effect in clinical trials of Nurtec ODT.
Rebound headaches can happen when certain migraine drugs are taken too often. This can cause migraine symptoms to be more severe or to happen more often than usual. However, rebound headaches aren’t known to happen with Nurtec ODT.
If you’re concerned about rebound headaches with Nurtec ODT, talk with your doctor. They can advise you on a migraine treatment plan that lowers your risk of rebound headaches.
Learn more about some of the side effects that Nurtec ODT may cause.
Nausea
Nausea may occur with Nurtec ODT. This was the most common side effect in clinical trials of the drug.
It’s important to note that nausea can also be a symptom of a migraine episode. Since Nurtec ODT is taken to help prevent and treat migraine episodes, you may have nausea while taking the drug. However, it’s possible that migraine itself may cause this symptom.
What you can do
If you have bothersome nausea while taking Nurtec ODT, talk with your doctor. They may prescribe certain drugs that can ease your symptoms, such as Phenergan (promethazine).
If you have mild or occasional nausea from taking Nurtec ODT, you can also try home remedies to relieve this side effect. Some options include:
- using a cold compress on the base of your head
- eating a bland, small snack, such as plain toast or crackers
- drinking water or chamomile or ginger tea
Indigestion
Taking Nurtec ODT may cause indigestion. This was a common side effect in clinical trials of the drug when taken to help prevent migraine episodes. However, indigestion wasn’t reported when the drug was taken to treat migraine episodes.
Symptoms of indigestion can include:
- burning sensation or pain in your stomach
- feeling more full than usual after eating
- feeling full more quickly than usual after eating
What you can do
If you have symptoms of indigestion while taking Nurtec ODT, talk with your doctor. They can recommend medications that relieve this symptom, such as antacids or H2 blockers.
If you have mild or occasional indigestion from taking Nurtec ODT, you may also try home remedies to relieve this side effect. Some remedies include:
- drinking water or mint or cinnamon tea
- eating plain foods, such as rice, bananas, or toast
- having a warm bath
You can check out this article to learn more about home remedies for an upset stomach.
Abdominal pain
Abdominal pain may occur with Nurtec ODT. This side effect was common in clinical trials of Nurtec ODT when the drug was taken to help prevent migraine episodes. Abdominal pain wasn’t reported as a side effect when the drug was taken to treat migraine episodes.
What you can do
If you have bothersome abdominal pain while taking Nurtec ODT, talk with your doctor. They can suggest ways to ease your pain.
Allergic reaction
As with most drugs, Nurtec ODT can cause an allergic reaction in some people. This side effect was rare in clinical trials.
Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:
- skin rash
- shortness of breath
- itching
- flushing
- swelling under your skin, typically in your lips, eyelids, hands, or feet
- swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
What you can do
For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Nurtec ODT. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Nurtec ODT. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. The conditions and factors to consider include:
Severe liver problems. It may not be safe to take Nurtec ODT if you have severe liver problems, such as liver failure. This condition can increase the level of the drug in your body, which could increase your risk of side effects. Before starting treatment with Nurtec ODT, tell your doctor about any liver problems you may have. They may prescribe a drug other than Nurtec ODT for your condition.
Severe kidney problems. Before taking Nurtec ODT, tell your doctor if you have severe kidney problems such as kidney failure. The drug hasn’t been studied in people with severe kidney problems, including people receiving dialysis. So it isn’t known for sure if Nurtec ODT is safe for people with this condition. If you have severe kidney problems, your doctor may prescribe a drug other than Nurtec ODT for your condition.
Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Nurtec ODT or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe the drug to you. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you. (For more information, see “Side effect specifics” above.)
Alcohol and Nurtec ODT
There isn’t any known interaction between drinking alcohol and taking Nurtec ODT.
However, for some people, drinking alcohol can trigger a migraine episode. If you drink and alcohol is one of your migraine triggers, it may be best to avoid consuming alcohol while taking the drug.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much, if any, is safe for you to drink while taking Nurtec ODT.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Nurtec ODT
It’s not known if Nurtec ODT is safe to take during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Nurtec ODT treatment hasn’t been studied during pregnancy or breastfeeding in humans. However, animal studies have shown harm to the offspring of animals exposed to Nurtec ODT during pregnancy. Keep in mind that animal studies don’t always predict what happens in humans.
If you take Nurtec ODT during pregnancy, consider enrolling in a
If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning for either, talk with your doctor before you start taking Nurtec ODT. They can advise on the risks and benefits of taking Nurtec ODT during these times.
Both mild and serious side effects have been reported with Nurtec ODT. Most of the drug’s side effects are mild and should go away after your body gets used to the drug. However, be sure to tell your doctor if you have serious side effects, such as allergic reaction, with Nurtec ODT.
If you’d like to learn more about Nurtec ODT, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects of taking the drug.
Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:
- More information about Nurtec ODT. For details about other aspects of the drug, refer to this article.
- Cost. If you’d like to learn about Nurtec ODT and cost, see this article.
- Dosage. For information about the dosage of Nurtec ODT, view this article.
- A look at migraine. For details about migraine, see our headache and migraine hub, and list of related articles.
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.