Aquipta

Other Related Names or Treatments

Qulipta, Atogepant

About Aquipta

Atogepant is classed as a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist, also known as a gepant. It works by blocking the activity of the CGRP molecule, which has been linked to migraine. By blocking the CGRP-receptor interaction, Aquipta prevents migraine attacks from occurring.
Aquipta is a preventive treatment for migraine, meaning it is taken daily to reduce the frequency of migraine attacks rather than to treat an attack once it has started. It is available with a prescription only. NowPatient offers Aquipta as a preventive treatment for migraines, following an online consultation with a prescribing clinician.

Key facts of Aquipta

• For the preventive treatment (prophylaxis) of migraine in adults who have at least 4 migraine days per month
• Aquipta is taken once daily to prevent migraines, not to treat an active migraine attack
• Aquipta has some common side effects which include nausea, constipation, and fatigue
• It can be dangerous if you take Aquipta with certain medications such as strong CYP3A4 inhibitors. If you’re not sure if it is safe, discuss this with the prescribing clinician

Who is Aquipta suitable for?

Aquipta is suitable for use in adults over the age of 18.

Who is Aquipta not suitable for?

Aquipta may not be suitable for some people. To make sure it’s safe for you, speak to the prescribing clinician before taking Aquipta if you:

• Have ever had an allergic reaction to atogepant or any of the ingredients in Aquipta
• Have severe liver disease
• Have severe kidney disease or end-stage renal disease (for chronic migraine)
• Are taking strong CYP3A4 inhibitors such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, or clarithromycin
• Are taking strong OATP inhibitors such as rifampicin
• Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• Are breastfeeding
• Are under 18 years of age
• Are 80 years of age or above

How and where to get Aquipta?

You can buy Aquipta safely and securely from NowPatient. You can start a consultation today for free and if you qualify for treatment, you only pay for the cost of the medication. Delivery is made to your home or office from our registered pharmacy.

Our service is certified, safe and effective, and we only ever treat conditions. If you book a consultation with a prescribing clinician for the preventive treatment of migraines, you can discuss if Aquipta is a suitable treatment option for you.

At the end of the consultation, the clinician will decide if a treatment plan is suitable for you. If it is, the clinician will issue you with a prescription which can then be ordered, paid for and delivered directly to your chosen address by NowPatient.

Dosage and strength for Aquipta for migraines

Aquipta is available as tablets for oral administration. It is available in strengths of 10 mg and 60 mg tablets.

The recommended dose is 60 mg taken once daily.

A lower dose of 10 mg once daily is recommended if you are taking certain other medications, such as strong CYP3A4 inhibitors or strong OATP inhibitors, or if you suffer from severe renal impairment (CLcr 15-29 mL/min) or end-stage renal disease (ESRD) (CLcr <15 mL/min).

Information about how to take Aquipta for migraines

Aquipta tablets are taken orally once daily with or without food. It should be taken at the same time each day to help you remember.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose as scheduled. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten tablet.

Do not stop taking Aquipta without talking to your doctor first, as your symptoms may return if you stop the treatment.

Read the patient information leaflet supplied with your medication or speak to a healthcare professional for medical advice.

What happens if you take too much Aquipta?

There is no known antidote for Aquipta. If you take more than prescribed, you should tell your doctor immediately. Treatment of an overdose should consist of general supportive measures including monitoring of vital signs and observation of the clinical status.

What are the side effects of Aquipta?

Side effects of Aquipta are split into common, uncommon and serious.

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) include:

• Nausea
• Constipation
• Fatigue
• Somnolence (sleepiness)
• Decreased appetite
• Weight decreased

Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people) include:

• Increased liver enzymes (ALT/AST increased)

If you experience any serious side effects, you should contact NHS 111.

If you experience a serious allergic reaction with the signs shown below, stop taking Aquipta and contact emergency services on 999:

• Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Severe rash, itching, or hives
• Feeling faint or dizzy
• Rapid heartbeat
• Allergic reactions can occur days after taking Aquipta, so be vigilant for delayed symptoms.

Always report adverse effects to the MHRA Yellow Card reporting system. You can read more about this here How and where do I report side effects of my medication? – NowPatient

Information about taking Aquipta at the same time as other medications or herbal supplements

Aquipta can interact with certain medications. You should let your prescribing clinician know if you are taking any of the following:

Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (dose reduction to 10 mg once daily is required):

• Ketoconazole
• Itraconazole
• Voriconazole
• Clarithromycin
• Telithromycin
• HIV protease inhibitors (indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir)

Strong OATP inhibitors (dose reduction to 10 mg once daily is required):

• Rifampicin (single dose)
• Ciclosporin

Strong or moderate CYP3A4 inducers (may reduce the effectiveness of Aquipta):

• Rifampicin (repeat dosing)
• Carbamazepine
• Phenytoin
• Phenobarbital
• St. John’s Wort

Aquipta has been shown not to have significant interactions with oral contraceptives, acetaminophen (paracetamol), naproxen, sumatriptan, topiramate, famotidine, or esomeprazole.

Can Aquipta taken for migraines, be taken long term?

Aquipta can be taken as a long-term preventive treatment for migraines. However, your doctor should review your treatment regularly to assess whether it is still appropriate.

According to NICE guidance, you should stop Aquipta after 12 weeks if the frequency of migraines does not reduce by at least 50% in episodic migraine (fewer than 15 headache days per month) or at least 30% in chronic migraine (15 or more headache days per month).

Is there a herbal Aquipta?

No. Herbal Aquipta does not exist. If you have been marketed such a formulation, it may be fake.

Can women use Aquipta?

Women can take Aquipta for the preventive treatment of migraine. However, Aquipta is not recommended during pregnancy as there are limited data on its use in pregnant women, and animal studies have shown reproductive toxicity.

It is unknown whether atogepant is excreted in human milk. A decision must be made whether to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue Aquipta therapy, taking into account the benefit of breastfeeding for the child and the benefit of therapy for the woman.

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant, speak to your doctor before taking Aquipta.

Should I avoid any particular food or drink when taking Aquipta?

Aquipta can be taken with or without food. There are no specific dietary restrictions while taking Aquipta.

Aquipta does not contain lactose, so it is fine if you suffer from a lactose allergy or intolerance.

What are the non-active ingredients in Aquipta?

Aquipta contains the following non-active ingredients (excipients):

• Polyvinylpyrrolidone/vinyl acetate copolymer
• Vitamin E polyethylene glycol succinate
• Mannitol
• Microcrystalline cellulose
• Sodium chloride
• Croscarmellose sodium
• Colloidal silicon dioxide
• Sodium stearyl fumarate

While lactose-free, Aquipta 60 mg tablets contain 31.5 mg of sodium per tablet.

What lifestyle changes can I make to help me with migraines?

• Maintain regular sleep patterns
• Exercise regularly
• Eat regular healthy meals
• Stay well hydrated with water
• Reduce your stress through relaxation techniques such as mindfulness or meditation
• Avoid known migraine triggers
• Keep a headache diary to identify patterns and triggers

Alternatives to Aquipta

Alternatives for the preventive treatment of migraines include other CGRP inhibitors such as erenumab (Aimovig), fremanezumab (Ajovy), and galcanezumab (Emgality), or oral preventive medications such as propranolol, topiramate, or amitriptyline.

For acute migraine treatment (treating attacks as they occur), triptans such as sumatriptan, zolmitriptan, rizatriptan, and almotriptan, or painkillers such as paracetamol, aspirin, or ibuprofen may be suitable.

Sources

• NHS conditions migraine
• EMC Summary of Product Characteristics – Aquipta
• European Medicines Agency – Aquipta
• NICE Technology Appraisal Guidance TA973 – Atogepant for preventing migraine