Can Nurtec (rimegepant) cause a decrease in vision?

From the Guidelines

Nurtec (rimegepant) is not typically associated with decreased vision as a common side effect, and there is no strong evidence to suggest it causes significant vision-related problems. While some migraine medications can affect vision, Nurtec works by blocking CGRP receptors to treat migraines and has not shown significant vision-related side effects in clinical trials 1. The most common side effects of Nurtec include nausea and stomach discomfort. However, if you experience any vision changes while taking Nurtec, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately, as this could potentially indicate a rare side effect or an unrelated medical issue that requires evaluation.

Key Points to Consider

• Vision changes with any medication should never be ignored, especially since migraines themselves can sometimes cause visual disturbances like aura.
• Your doctor might need to reassess your treatment plan if vision problems occur while taking Nurtec.
• The American College of Physicians suggests considering CGRP antagonists like rimegepant for treating moderate to severe acute episodic migraine headache in nonpregnant outpatient adults who do not tolerate or have inadequate response to combination therapy of a triptan and an NSAID or acetaminophen 1.
• It is essential to weigh the benefits and risks of any medication, including Nurtec, and to discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider.

Important Considerations

• The provided guidelines do not mention Nurtec (rimegepant) as a cause of decreased vision, which suggests that it is not a well-documented side effect of this medication 1.
• The most recent and highest quality study available does not indicate a significant association between Nurtec and decreased vision, which supports the recommendation to use this medication for migraine treatment when appropriate 1.

From the Research

Nurtec and Vision Decrease

• There is no direct evidence in the provided studies that suggests Nurtec (rimegepant) causes a decrease in vision 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
• The studies primarily focus on the efficacy and safety of rimegepant for the acute and preventive treatment of migraine, with no mention of vision decrease as a side effect.
• Common adverse events reported in the studies include nausea and urinary tract infection, but vision-related issues are not mentioned 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
• It is essential to note that the lack of evidence does not necessarily mean that Nurtec is safe for everyone, and patients should consult their healthcare provider for personalized advice 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

Adverse Events

• The most common adverse events reported in the studies were nausea and urinary tract infection 2.
• Other studies mention that rimegepant has a favorable safety profile, making it suitable for many patients, particularly those with contraindications or intolerance to other migraine treatments 3, 5.
• A systematic review and meta-analysis compared the outcomes of new pharmacologic agents, including rimegepant, with triptans for the treatment of migraine, and found that rimegepant was associated with a lower risk of adverse events compared to certain triptans 6.

Efficacy of Rimegepant

• Rimegepant has been shown to be effective in treating acute migraine, with a higher percentage of patients achieving pain freedom and freedom from their most bothersome symptom compared to placebo 2, 4.
• The efficacy of rimegepant was consistent across different subgroups, including those with a history of insufficient response to triptans and current triptan users 4.
• Rimegepant has also been evaluated for preventive treatment of episodic migraine, with promising results 3, 5.