Nurtec ODT is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for migraine. Nurtec ODT contains the active drug rimegepant. It comes as an orally disintegrating tablet that you dissolve under or on top of your tongue.

Nurtec ODT is FDA-approved for the following in adults:

  • prevention of migraine episodes (also called migraine attacks) due to episodic migraine
  • acute (immediate) treatment of migraine episodes* that occur with or without aura

Migraine is a condition that can cause intense headache pain along with other symptoms, such as an aura. An aura refers to unusual symptoms or sensations that can occur before a migraine episode.

Migraine is considered episodic when symptoms occur up to 14 days per month. It is considered chronic when symptoms occur 15 or more days per month.

* For this use, Nurtec ODT may be prescribed regardless of whether you have episodic or chronic migraine.

Drug details

You’ll find key information about Nurtec ODT below.

  • Drug class: calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonists
  • Drug form: orally disintegrating tablet
  • Generic available? no
  • Prescription required? yes
  • Controlled substance? no
  • Year of FDA approval: 2020

Nurtec ODT is available only as a brand-name medication. It’s not currently available in generic form.

A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs.

Nurtec ODT can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the side effects that may occur while taking Nurtec ODT. But these lists do not include all possible side effects.

For more information about the possible side effects of Nurtec ODT, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to deal with any side effects that may be concerning or bothersome. You can also refer to this article for details about Nurtec ODT’s side effects.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you would like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Nurtec ODT, you can do so through MedWatch.

Mild side effects

Mild side effects reported* for Nurtec ODT include:

* To learn about other side effects of this drug, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or view Nurtec ODT’s prescribing information.
† For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect details” below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of Nurtec ODT aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency.

A hypersensitivity reaction is a rare but serious side effect that can happen with Nurtec ODT. This is a type of allergic reaction.

A hypersensitivity reaction was the only serious side effect reported in clinical trials of Nurtec ODT. For more information, see “Side effect details” below.

Side effect details

You may wonder how often side effects occur with this drug. Here’s some detail about certain side effects that it may cause.

Nausea

In clinical trials, nausea was one of the most common side effects of Nurtec ODT.

This side effect may go away with continued use of Nurtec ODT. However, nausea is also a common migraine symptom.

In clinical trials, some people took rescue medication 2 hours after taking Nurtec ODT. Rescue medications are drugs taken to relieve persistent migraine symptoms, such as pain, nausea, and vomiting.

Nausea after taking Nurtec ODT is typically manageable. But if it worsens or doesn’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may recommend an over-the-counter or prescription medication for this side effect.

You can also try home remedies to relieve nausea caused by migraine or Nurtec ODT. Some options include:

  • resting in a cool, dark, quiet place
  • applying a cold pack or cool compress to the base of your head
  • drinking plenty of water, or drinking ginger or chamomile tea
  • breathing in the scent of peppermint oil
  • eating a small, bland snack, such as crackers or plain toast
Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, some people can have a hypersensitivity reaction (a type of allergic reaction) after taking Nurtec ODT. This is a rare but serious side effect that occurred in clinical trials of the drug. Symptoms can include:

More serious symptoms can take up to a few days to develop after taking Nurtec ODT. These symptoms can include:

  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat
  • trouble breathing

Symptoms might not develop for days after you take Nurtec ODT. So keep watching for symptoms many days after you’ve taken a dose.

Call your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of an allergic reaction, as the reaction could become severe. If your symptoms are mild, they may recommend a drug to treat your reaction.

If you have serious symptoms, call 911 or your local emergency number. These symptoms could be life threatening. If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious hypersensitivity reaction to Nurtec ODT, they’ll stop your treatment and recommend a different migraine treatment.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Nurtec ODT for certain conditions. Nurtec ODT may also be prescribed off-label for other conditions. Off-label drug use means prescribing a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for by the FDA.

Nurtec ODT is FDA-approved for the following uses in adults:

  • prevention of migraine episodes (also called migraine attacks) due to episodic migraine
  • acute (immediate) treatment of migraine episodes* that occur with or without aura

* For this use, Nurtec ODT may be prescribed regardless of whether you have episodic or chronic migraine.

About migraine

Migraine is a condition that usually causes moderate to severe headache, along with other symptoms. Migraine episodes (periods when you experience symptoms) may last a few hours to a few days.

Some people experience an aura as part of their migraine episodes. An aura refers to unusual symptoms or sensations that can occur before or during a migraine episode. It may involve visual disturbances or strange smells.

This condition may be categorized as:

  • episodic migraine, which refers to having migraine symptoms on 14 or fewer days per month, or
  • chronic migraine, which causes symptoms on 15 or more days per month

Having migraine episodes may make it hard to do your everyday activities. Common symptoms of a migraine episode include:

  • throbbing or pulsing headache pain, which may occur on one or both sides of your head
  • nausea and vomiting
  • weakness
  • sensitivity to smells, light, or sound

Migraine is often a long lasting condition. It’s common and more likely to affect:

For more information about migraine, you can refer to our headache and migraine hub.

* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the term “female” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.

What Nurtec ODT does

Nurtec ODT can be prescribed for acute (immediate) treatment of migraine episodes in adults. It works to relieve or stop migraine symptoms at the aura stage or immediately after symptoms start. For acute treatment, you’ll take Nurtec ODT only as needed.

Nurtec ODT can also be prescribed to help prevent symptoms of episodic migraine in adults. For prevention, you’ll typically take Nurtec ODT every other day, rather than as needed at the onset of a migraine episode. Taking the drug on a regular schedule helps prevent migraine symptoms from occurring.

In addition to Nurtec ODT, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes to help prevent migraine episodes. For example, they may suggest limiting potential triggers, such as drinking alcohol.

Effectiveness for migraine

Nurtec ODT has been found to be effective for acute treatment and prevention of migraine symptoms in adults. In a clinical trial, people who took this medication had pain relief and improvement in other symptoms of migraine.

Another clinical trial found that people who took Nurtec ODT for migraine prevention experienced migraine symptoms less often than before they started treatment.

According to the American Headache Society’s guidelines, treatments such as Nurtec ODT are effective for acute (immediate) treatment and prevention of migraine symptoms. And Nurtec ODT and similar drugs are recommended for people who have certain health conditions or unmanageable side effects from other migraine drugs.

For more information about how this drug performed in clinical trials, see Nurtec ODT’s prescribing information.

Nurtec ODT and children

Nurtec ODT isn’t approved for use in children. It’s unknown whether this drug is safe for children with migraine. If your child has this condition, talk with their doctor about other possible treatments.

Here’s some information about the use of Nurtec ODT with other migraine drugs. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using any other migraine treatments while you’re taking Nurtec ODT.

Nurtec ODT with rescue medications

As long as your doctor doesn’t recommend against it, you can take certain rescue medications if you still have symptoms 2 hours or longer after taking Nurtec ODT. Rescue medications are drugs taken to treat persistent migraine symptoms.

The use of certain rescue medications with Nurtec ODT has been studied. These drugs include:

Make sure to talk with your doctor before using any rescue medications while taking Nurtec ODT for migraine.

Nurtec ODT with triptans

Before using a triptan drug while taking Nurtec ODT, talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks of using these drugs together.

Triptans are a class of drugs used for acute (immediate) treatment of migraine episodes. Examples include sumatriptan (Imitrex) and rizatriptan (Maxalt). Nurtec ODT is also used for this purpose, but it belongs to a different class of drugs, called calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonists (or gepants).

Triptans can cause increased blood pressure, especially in people who have cardiovascular disease. However, some people in clinical trials took triptans with Nurtec ODT and did not experience increased blood pressure. And Nurtec ODT did not cause increased blood pressure in clinical trials.

Make sure to talk with your doctor about all of the medications you use before you start taking Nurtec ODT.

Nurtec ODT with medications for migraine prevention

Nurtec ODT can be prescribed to treat migraine episodes as they happen or help prevent migraine symptoms related to episodic migraine from happening. If you’re taking Nurtec ODT to treat migraine symptoms, not to prevent them, your doctor may recommend that you take certain other drugs for migraine prevention in addition to Nurtec ODT.

Nurtec ODT belongs to a class of drugs called CGRP receptor antagonists, also known as gepants. Other gepants are sometimes used as preventive migraine treatments, such as galcanezumab-gnlm (Emgality).

It’s unknown whether it’s safe to use Nurtec ODT for acute migraine treatment while you’re also taking another CGRP receptor antagonist for migraine prevention. In this case, your doctor may recommend that you take a drug other than Nurtec ODT for acute migraine treatment.

Before starting Nurtec ODT, talk with your doctor about all of your migraine treatments.

As with all medications, the cost of Nurtec ODT can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.

Keep in mind that you may be able to get a 90-day supply of Nurtec ODT. If your insurance company approves it, getting a 90-day supply could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor or your insurance company.

Before it approves coverage for Nurtec ODT, your insurance company may require you to get prior authorization. This means that your doctor and insurance company need to communicate about your prescription before the insurance company will cover the drug. The insurance company will review the prior authorization request and decide whether it will cover the drug.

If you’re not sure whether you’ll need to get prior authorization for Nurtec ODT, contact your insurance company.

You can also refer to this article for details about Nurtec ODT’s cost.

Drug coupons

To save money on your Nurtec ODT prescription, explore the Optum Perks* coupons below.

You can also visit Optum Perks for price estimates of Nurtec ODT. These estimates are based on the use of Optum Perks coupons.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

* Optum Perks is a sister site of Medical News Today.

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Financial and insurance assistance

If you need financial support to pay for Nurtec ODT, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.

The manufacturer of Nurtec ODT offers a savings program that may help lower the cost of the drug. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, call 800-761-1568 or visit the program’s website.

Mail-order pharmacies

Nurtec ODT may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to get your medication without leaving home.

If your doctor recommends it, you may be able to receive a 90-day supply of Nurtec ODT so there’s less concern about running out of the medication. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor and your insurance company. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications.

If you don’t have insurance, you can ask your doctor or pharmacist about online pharmacy options.

Generic version

Nurtec ODT is not available in a generic form. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

Nurtec ODT is used to treat migraine symptoms when they occur or help prevent migraine symptoms due to episodic migraine. Other drugs are available that can help treat or prevent migraine episodes. Some may be a better fit for you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to Nurtec ODT, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you.

Note that some of the drugs listed here are prescribed off-label for migraine. Off-label drug use means prescribing a drug for a purpose other than what it’s been approved for by the FDA.

Examples of other drugs that may be used for acute migraine treatment include:

Examples of drugs that may be used for migraine prevention include:

* CGRP receptor antagonists that are taken orally (by mouth) are also called gepants. Nurtec ODT is a gepant.

The Nurtec ODT dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on your migraine symptoms and other factors, including any other medications you take.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

In addition to the information below, you can also refer to this article for details about Nurtec ODT’s dosage.

Drug forms and strengths

Nurtec ODT comes as an oral disintegrating tablet, which can be taken in either of these ways:

  • sublingually, which means that you let the tablet dissolve under your tongue and then swallow the drug
  • orally, which means that you let the tablet dissolve on top of your tongue and then swallow the drug

The drug comes in one strength: 75 milligrams (mg).

Dosage for acute migraine treatment

The typical dosage of Nurtec ODT for acute (immediate) migraine treatment is 75 mg taken as soon as symptoms of a migraine episode begin. The 75-mg dose can be taken every 24 hours.

Nurtec ODT should be taken as soon as symptoms of a migraine episode begin. If your migraine symptoms aren’t relieved after taking one dose, you can take another dose as long as your doctor doesn’t recommend against it.* You would take a second dose at least 24 hours after your first dose. You should not take more than one dose of Nurtec ODT within 24 hours.

You should not take more than 18 doses of Nurtec ODT in a 30-day period. If you have migraine episodes more frequently or symptoms that aren’t relieved after taking Nurtec ODT, talk with your doctor. They may have you switch to taking Nurtec ODT on a regular schedule to help prevent migraine symptoms. Or they may prescribe a different drug that you can use on a regular basis to help prevent migraine episodes.

* If you use certain drugs that are moderate inhibitors of CYP3A4, an enzyme (type of protein), you should not take a second dose of Nurtec ODT within 48 hours after your first dose. For more details, see the “Nurtec ODT interactions” section below.

Dosage for migraine prevention

The typical dosage of Nurtec ODT for preventing migraine episodes is 75 mg taken orally every other day.

Should I keep track of my doses?

Yes. When using Nurtec ODT, it’s important to keep track of your doses and how your treatment is going. This can help you avoid taking more than the recommended amount. Tracking your Nurtec ODT treatment can also help you and your doctor understand whether your migraine treatment plan is working.

To do this, use a notebook or the notes or calendar app on your phone. Write down things such as:

  • possible migraine triggers that day (such as stress, lack of sleep, or alcohol use)
  • your migraine symptoms, including their severity and how long they last
  • the dates and times when you took Nurtec ODT
  • any rescue medications* taken, including the drug name, dose, and the symptoms you treated
  • any preventive treatments taken, including the drug name and dosage
  • any side effects from Nurtec ODT or other migraine medications

Bring these details with you to your doctor visits. And use this information to keep track of your Nurtec ODT dosages.

* Rescue medications are drugs taken to treat persistent migraine symptoms.

Will I need to use this drug long term?

Whether you take Nurtec ODT to treat or help prevent migraine episodes, you might take it over a long period. If you and your doctor decide that Nurtec ODT is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term, since migraine is often a long lasting condition.

Nurtec ODT is approved for:

  • prevention of migraine episodes (also called migraine attacks) due to episodic migraine
  • acute (immediate) treatment of migraine episodes* that occur with or without an aura†

The drug works to relieve, stop, or prevent migraine symptoms. Its mechanism of action is to block calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptors in the brain. (How a drug works is called its mechanism of action.)

CGRP is a protein in your brain that’s thought to be involved in causing migraine symptoms. During a migraine episode, CGRP levels in the brain increase, and CGRP attaches to receptors in your brain’s blood vessels and nerves. This causes symptoms in a few ways:

  • CGRP makes the blood vessels in your brain dilate (widen) and creates inflammation. These actions may be key causes of headache and throbbing pain that can occur with migraine.
  • CGRP also causes pain signals in your brain to increase. This can make headache pain worse and result in other symptoms. These symptoms may include nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.

By blocking CGRP receptors, Nurtec ODT prevents CGRP from attaching to those receptors. This can prevent CGRP from causing migraine symptoms.

* For this use, Nurtec ODT may be prescribed regardless of whether you have episodic or chronic migraine.
† An aura refers to unusual symptoms or sensations that can occur before a migraine episode.

Nurtec ODT can interact with several other medications. It may also interact with certain supplements as well as certain foods.

Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug works. Other interactions can increase side effects or make them more severe.

Nurtec ODT and other medications

Below is a list of medications that can interact with Nurtec ODT. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with it.

Before taking Nurtec ODT, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid interactions.

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

Types of drugs that can interact with Nurtec ODT include:

  • Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors. These drugs can keep your body from metabolizing (breaking down) Nurtec ODT. This can increase your risk of side effects from Nurtec ODT. Examples of these drugs include:
  • Moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors. These drugs can also keep your body from metabolizing Nurtec ODT, but to a lesser extent. To reduce your risk of side effects from Nurtec ODT, your doctor will adjust your Nurtec ODT dosage while you take these drugs. Examples include:
  • Strong to moderate CYP3A4 inducers. These drugs can make your body metabolize Nurtec ODT faster. This may make Nurtec ODT less effective. Examples of these drugs include:
  • Potent inhibitors of P-glycoprotein. These drugs can raise the levels of Nurtec ODT in your body. This could increase your risk of side effects from Nurtec ODT. You should not take a second dose of Nurtec ODT within 48 hours of your first dose if you’re also taking a potent P-glycoprotein inhibitor. Examples of these drugs include:

Nurtec ODT and herbs and supplements

Nurtec ODT may interact with the herb St. John’s wort.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist about other herbs or supplements that may interact with Nurtec ODT. And check with your doctor or pharmacist before using any new herbs or supplements while taking Nurtec ODT.

Nurtec ODT and foods

Nurtec ODT may interact with grapefruit and grapefruit juice. Talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume grapefruit while taking Nurtec ODT.

Other foods haven’t been specifically reported to interact with Nurtec ODT. If you have any questions about eating certain foods while using Nurtec ODT, talk with your doctor.

Nurtec ODT and lab tests

It’s unknown whether taking Nurtec ODT affects the results of any lab tests. Talk with your doctor if you’re concerned about the outcome of your lab tests while taking this drug.

Nurtec ODT and vaccines

It’s typically safe to receive vaccines while you’re taking Nurtec ODT. Staying up to date with your vaccines is an important part of staying healthy. Ask your doctor which vaccines are right for you.

How long does it take to work?

When taken as directed, Nurtec ODT is fully absorbed by the body in about 1.5 hours.

In a clinical trial, 2 hours after taking Nurtec ODT for acute (immediate) migraine treatment, many people had reduced or no migraine pain and were able to function as usual. Also, some people continued to experience relief from migraine symptoms for 48 hours after taking Nurtec ODT.

In another clinical trial, people taking Nurtec ODT for migraine prevention reported a reduction in the number of days per month that they had migraine symptoms. Starting in their first month of Nurtec ODT treatment, they experienced fewer days with migraine symptoms than they had before starting the treatment.

Nurtec ODT’s half-life is 11 hours. This is the time it takes your body to clear half of the drug. Most drugs are cleared from the body after about five half-lives. So it would take about 55 hours (just over 2 days) for your body to clear Nurtec ODT from its system.

If you can become pregnant, are breastfeeding, or are using birth control, it’s important to consider whether Nurtec ODT is a safe choice for you.

You can refer to this article for more information, including details about a Nurtec ODT pregnancy registry you may join. (A pregnancy registry collects information about the safety of specific medications during pregnancy.) If you have additional questions, talk with your doctor.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Nurtec ODT.

What drug class does Nurtec ODT belong to?

Nurtec ODT belongs to a class of drugs called calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonists. CGRP receptor antagonists that are taken by mouth, such as Nurtec ODT, are also called gepants.

CGRP is a protein in your brain that’s thought to be involved in causing migraine symptoms. Nurtec ODT works to block CGRP receptors in the brain. This prevents CGRP from attaching to those receptors, which can prevent it from causing migraine symptoms. For more details, see the “How Nurtec ODT works” section above.

Is Nurtec ODT used to treat cluster headaches?

No, Nurtec ODT isn’t approved to treat cluster headaches. It’s only approved for prevention of migraine symptoms due to episodic migraine and acute (immediate) treatment of migraine episodes with or without an aura. (An aura refers to unusual symptoms or sensations that can occur before a migraine episode.)

Cluster headaches and migraine can both cause headache pain. But cluster headaches can cause different symptoms from migraine, and they may last longer.

If you have cluster headache episodes that aren’t managed, talk with your doctor. They may recommend a drug that’s approved to treat cluster headaches, such as galcanezumab-gnlm (Emgality).

Does Nurtec ODT help prevent migraine symptoms?

Yes, Nurtec ODT can be prescribed to help prevent migraine symptoms due to episodic migraine. It can also be prescribed for you to take as needed for acute (immediate) treatment of migraine symptoms. See the “Nurtec ODT use for migraine” section above for details.

If you have questions about migraine prevention, talk with your doctor.

It’s usually safe to drink alcohol while taking Nurtec ODT.

However, it’s important to note that alcohol may trigger migraine episodes, which Nurtec ODT is approved to treat and help prevent.

Also, alcohol can harm your liver. And certain drugs used for migraine that contain acetaminophen can harm your liver, too. Drinking alcohol while using these treatments can increase your risk of liver damage. For this reason, you should avoid alcohol if you regularly take migraine drugs that contain acetaminophen.

If you drink alcohol, ask your doctor how much is safe for you to drink, given your condition and treatment plan.

You should take Nurtec ODT according to your doctor’s or another healthcare professional’s instructions. If you have questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or check Nurtec ODT’s prescribing information.

Nurtec ODT comes as a tablet that you take by mouth. It can be taken either:

  • sublingually, which means that you let the tablet dissolve under your tongue, then swallow the drug
  • orally, which means that you let the tablet dissolve on top of your tongue, then swallow the drug

Let the tablet fully dissolve in your saliva, and then swallow it without water. Avoid eating or drinking until after you’ve swallowed the dissolved tablet.

When to take for migraine treatment

You should take Nurtec ODT as soon as you start to have symptoms of a migraine episode or an aura.* It can be taken once every 24 hours, as needed.

If your migraine symptoms aren’t relieved after taking one dose of Nurtec ODT, you can take another dose as long as your doctor doesn’t recommend against this. This second dose should be taken at least 24 hours after your first dose. And if you still have migraine symptoms 2 hours or more after taking Nurtec ODT, talk with your doctor about using rescue medications† to treat these symptoms.

Note: You should not take more than one Nurtec ODT dose in a 24-hour period. You also should not take more than 18 doses of Nurtec ODT in a 30-day period. If you have migraine episodes more frequently or symptoms that aren’t relieved after taking Nurtec OTC, talk with your doctor. They may prescribe Nurtec ODT or another drug to be taken on a regular basis for migraine prevention.

* An aura refers to unusual symptoms or sensations that can occur before a migraine episode.
† Rescue medications are drugs taken to treat persistent migraine symptoms. Examples include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and acetaminophen (Tylenol). See “Nurtec ODT use with other drugs” above for more details.

When to take for migraine prevention

For migraine prevention, you should take Nurtec ODT every other day.

Taking Nurtec ODT with food

You can eat normally before or after taking your dose of Nurtec ODT. However, you shouldn’t have food in your mouth while the tablet dissolves. You don’t need to drink water or other fluids after taking your dose.

Can Nurtec ODT be crushed, split, or chewed?

No. You should not crush, split, or chew Nurtec ODT tablets.

To make sure Nurtec ODT works as intended, you should keep the tablets in their original blister packaging until you need to take a dose.

To remove a tablet from the packaging, use clean, dry hands to carefully peel off the foil from each blister. Don’t push the tablets through the foil because doing so may break them.

Before taking Nurtec ODT, talk with your doctor about your health history. Nurtec ODT may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. These include:

  • Liver disease. You should not use Nurtec ODT if you have severe liver disease. Doing so may increase your blood levels of Nurtec ODT, which may be unsafe. Before taking Nurtec ODT, tell your doctor if you have liver disease or other liver problems.
  • Advanced kidney disease. It’s unknown whether Nurtec ODT is safe for people with advanced kidney disease to take. Before starting Nurtec ODT, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease. Also tell your doctor if you’re currently receiving dialysis or have had a kidney transplant.
  • Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction or a hypersensitivity reaction (a type of allergic reaction) to Nurtec ODT or any of its ingredients, you should not take the drug. Ask your doctor what other medications are better options for you.
  • Certain drugs. You should not take Nurtec ODT if you also take certain medications that are strong inhibitors of CYP3A4 or moderate to strong inducers of CYP3A4. (CYP3A4 are enzymes [proteins] that help your liver break down drugs such as Nurtec ODT.) If you use moderate inhibitors of CYP3A4, your doctor will adjust your Nurtec ODT dosage. If you take medications that are potent inhibitors of P-glycoprotein, you should not take more than one dose of Nurtec ODT in a 48-hour period. Doing so may increase Nurtec ODT levels in your body. Make sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist about all the medications you take before starting Nurtec ODT. For more information and examples of these drugs, see the “Nurtec ODT interactions” section above.
  • Pregnancy. It’s unknown whether Nurtec ODT is safe to take during pregnancy. For more information, refer to this article.
  • Breastfeeding. It’s unknown whether Nurtec ODT is safe to take while breastfeeding. For more information, refer to this article.

Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of Nurtec ODT, see the “Nurtec ODT side effects” section above.

Do not take more Nurtec ODT than your doctor recommends. With some drugs, doing so may lead to side effects or an overdose.

What to do in case you take too much Nurtec ODT

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. You can also call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

When you get Nurtec ODT from a pharmacy, the pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on the bottle. This is typically 1 year from the date when they dispensed the medication.

The expiration date helps guarantee that the medication is effective during this time. The current stance of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is to avoid using expired medications. If you have unused medication and the expiration date has passed, ask your pharmacist how to correctly dispose of it.

Storage

How long a medication remains good can depend on many factors, including how and where you store it.

Nurtec ODT tablets should be stored at room temperature in their original blister packaging, away from light. Don’t remove the tablets from their package to store them in other containers. Also, avoid storing this medication in an area where it could get damp or wet, such as the bathroom.

Disposal

If you no longer need to take Nurtec ODT and have leftover medication, it’s important to dispose of it safely. This helps prevent others, including children and pets, from taking the drug by accident. It also helps keep the drug from harming the environment.

This article provides several useful tips on medication disposal. You can also ask your pharmacist for information about how to dispose of your medication.

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