Aquipta (Atogepant) Tablets

What Is Aquipta?

Aquipta is a prescription migraine medicine that can be used by adults to treat a migraine attack as it happens or to prevent migraines in people who experience at least 4 migraine days per month.

You can find out more about different types of migraine in our guide.

Is Aquipta the Same as Atogepant?

Aquipta is the brand name for atogepant in the UK. Atogepant is the medicine’s generic name, and is the ingredient responsible for its effect on migraine, in the same way paracetamol is the generic name behind various painkiller brands.

Is Aquipta the Same as Qulipta?

Aquipta and Qulipta are both brand names for medicines containing the same active ingredient, atogepant. Aquipta is the brand available in the UK, while Qulipta is the brand name used in some other countries, including the US. If you’ve come across Qulipta, it’s the same treatment, just sold under a different name outside the UK.

Is Aquipta Available Online in the UK?

Yes. Aquipta is a prescription-only medicine in the UK, so you'll need a pharmacist to make sure it's safe and suitable for you.

Do I need a prescription for Aquipta?

Yes. Following a consultation, you may be able to get a private prescription from online pharmacies including The Independent Pharmacy.

Is Aquipta available on the NHS?

Yes, Aquipta is available on the NHS for treating migraine in certain circumstances. NICE guidance recommends you may be eligible if:

• You've tried at least two triptans without enough benefit
• Or, if you can't take triptans and other painkillers haven't worked well enough

Aquipta is also available on the NHS for migraine prevention for people who meet specific eligibility criteria.

How to Take Aquipta

For treating an active migraine attack, take one 60mg Aquipta tablet at the onset of a migraine. Do not take more than 60 mg in one day.

You can take Aquipta with or without food. Always take it exactly as prescribed by your pharmacist.

If you have severe kidney problems or take certain other medicines, you may be prescribed a lower dose.

How To Store Aquipta

Keep Aquipta out of the sight and reach of children. It does not require any special storage conditions.

Do not use Aquipta after the expiry date shown on the carton and blister pack.

Aquipta Effectiveness

Aquipta has been shown to provide effective pain relief when taken to treat an active migraine attack.

In the ECLIPSE clinical trial, 72% of people taking Aquipta experienced pain relief within 2 hours, compared with 54% taking placebo. 24% were completely pain-free within 2 hours, compared with 13% taking placebo.

Aquipta also provided longer-lasting relief for some people, with 52% experiencing sustained pain relief from 2 to 48 hours, compared with 23% taking placebo.

Aquipta Dosages & Strengths

Aquipta tablets are available in 10mg and 60mg strengths.

For treating an active migraine attack, the recommended dose is 60mg. When it’s prescribed to prevent migraines, the recommended dose is 60mg once daily.

The 10mg strength is used when a lower dose is needed, for example if you have severe kidney problems or take certain medicines that can interact with Aquipta. Your prescriber will decide which dose is suitable for you.

Aquipta Vs Other Migraine Treatments

There are several ways to treat and prevent migraines. Here’s how Aquipta compares with some other commonly used migraine treatments, including how they’re taken, when they’re used and how quickly they may provide relief.

Atogepant Vs Rimegepant (Aquipta vs Vydura)

Both Aquipta and Vydura are gepants, a newer type of migraine medicine that blocks the effects of CGRP, a protein involved in triggering migraine pain and other symptoms. The difference is how they’re taken: Aquipta contains atogepant and comes as a conventional tablet, while Vydura contains the active ingredient rimegepant and dissolves in the mouth. Both can be used for acute migraine treatment.

For an active migraine attack, Aquipta is taken as a 60mg dose as needed, while Vydura is taken as a 75mg dose as needed, both with a maximum of one dose per day. Both medicines can also be used for migraine prevention, although their preventative dosing schedules differ.

Atogepant Vs Triptans (Sumatriptan and Others)

Aquipta and triptans (such as sumatriptan) can both be used to treat a migraine attack, but they work in different ways.

Triptans are commonly used to treat migraine attacks and include medicines such as sumatriptan, rizatriptan and zolmitriptan. Aquipta belongs to a newer group of migraine medicines called gepants and works by blocking CGRP, a molecule linked to migraine.

Aquipta may be an alternative if triptans:

• Aren't suitable for you
• Cause difficult side effects
• Don’t give you enough relief from your migraine.

Atogepant Vs Migraine Prevention Tablets (Topiramate, Propranolol, Amitriptyline)

The main difference is when they’re used. Aquipta can be taken as needed to treat an active migraine attack, whereas topiramate, propranolol and amitriptyline are usually taken regularly to reduce how often migraines happen.

Topiramate, propranolol and amitriptyline are established oral migraine preventatives and may be considered for people who experience frequent migraines. Aquipta can also be used preventatively, but the way it’s prescribed and taken depends on whether it is being used for acute treatment or prevention.

Aquipta Ingredients

Active ingredient: Atogepant

Other ingredients include: Polyvinylpyrrolidone/Vinyl acetate copolymer, vitamin E

polyethylene glycol succinate, mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium chloride,

croscarmellose sodium, colloidal silicon dioxide and sodium stearyl fumarate.

Aquipta (Atogepant) Side Effects

Like all medicines, Aquipta can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

The most common side effects may affect up to 1 in 10 people and include:

• Feeling sick (nausea)
• Constipation
• Tiredness or sleepiness
• Decreased appetite
• Weight loss

Uncommon side effects include increased liver enzymes and may affect up to 1 in 100 people.

Stop taking Aquipta and contact your doctor immediately if you experience signs of a serious allergic reaction, including:

• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling of the face
• A rash, itching or hives

Some symptoms of an allergic reaction can occur several days after taking Aquipta.

Aquipta and Hair Loss

Hair loss is not a reported side effect of Aquipta. If you notice hair loss while taking Aquipta, it's still worth mentioning to your pharmacist, since it could be linked to something else going on, but it isn't a known or expected effect of the medicine itself.

Aquipta Warnings

Do not take Aquipta if you’re allergic to atogepant or any of the other ingredients in the tablets.

Speak to your pharmacist before taking Aquipta if you:

• Have liver or kidney problems
• Are pregnant, breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby
• Take any other medicines

Aquipta can make you feel sleepy. Do not drive or use machinery if you’re affected.

For a full list of warnings and side effects, please see the Aquipta Patient Information Leaflet.

Aquipta and Other Medicines

Some medicines can interact with Aquipta, which may increase your risk of side effects or mean you need a lower dose. Tell your pharmacist about any medicines you take, have recently taken or might take before using Aquipta.

Medicines that may affect how you take Aquipta include:

• Certain antibiotics and antifungal medicines, including clarithromycin, ketoconazole, itraconazole and voriconazole
• Certain HIV medicines, including ritonavir and atazanavir
• Ciclosporin, which affects the immune system
• Telmisartan, used to treat high blood pressure
• Rifampicin, used to treat certain bacterial infections

Your pharmacist will check for potential interactions and advise you how to take Aquipta safely.