Nurtec (Rimegepant) Side Effects
The most common side effects of Nurtec (rimegepant) are nausea (2-2.7%), abdominal pain/dyspepsia (2.4%), and hypersensitivity reactions including dyspnea and rash (occurring in less than 1% of patients). 1
Most Common Adverse Effects
Gastrointestinal Effects
- Nausea is the most frequently reported side effect, occurring in 2% of patients taking rimegepant for acute migraine treatment (compared to 0.4% with placebo) and 2.7% for preventive treatment (compared to 0.8% with placebo) 1
- Abdominal pain and dyspepsia occur in 2.4% of patients using rimegepant for preventive treatment, compared to 0.8% with placebo 1
Other Common Side Effects
Serious Adverse Reactions
Hypersensitivity Reactions
- Hypersensitivity reactions can occur and may be delayed by days after administration, including dyspnea and severe rash 1
- These reactions occurred in less than 1% of patients in clinical trials 1
- If hypersensitivity occurs, discontinue Nurtec immediately and initiate appropriate therapy 1
- Rimegepant is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to rimegepant or any of its components 1
Safety Profile Considerations
Long-Term Safety Data
- In long-term studies, 1,131 patients were exposed to rimegepant 75 mg for at least 6 months, and 863 patients for at least one year, treating an average of at least two migraine attacks per month 1
- No evidence of hepatotoxicity or cardiovascular toxicity emerged in clinical trials 3
Overall Tolerability
- Rimegepant was generally well tolerated across clinical trials 3, 4
- The adverse effect profile is limited compared to many migraine treatments 2
- The orally disintegrating tablet formulation offers convenience and potentially faster response time 3
Clinical Context
According to CDC guidelines, rimegepant (a gepant) was FDA-approved in 2020 for migraine treatment and demonstrated effectiveness superior to placebo in providing pain relief at 2 hours, 1 day, and 1 week 5. The mechanism of action is believed to be nonvasoconstrictive, potentially carrying lower cardiovascular risks than vasoactive medications in patients with cardiovascular risk factors 5.