Ubrelvy vs. Aimovig
See how Ubrelvy and Aimovig compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.
Key Takeaways
Ubrelvy is an oral tablet taken as needed to stop a migraine once it starts, while Aimovig is a monthly injection used to prevent migraines before they begin.
Ubrelvy works within hours of an attack, while Aimovig needs several weeks of consistent monthly dosing before it reduces how often migraines occur.
Ubrelvy requires caution with several other medications, including strong CYP3A4 inhibitors, while Aimovig has no known drug interactions that require dose changes.
Ubrelvy vs. Aimovig Drug Summary
Ubrelvy
Ubrelvy (ubrogepant) is an oral CGRP receptor antagonist used to treat a migraine attack after it starts, in adults with or without aura. It is taken as a single tablet when needed, with an optional second dose at least two hours later if the first dose does not fully work.
Aimovig
Aimovig (erenumab-aooe) is a CGRP receptor antagonist monoclonal antibody used to prevent migraines in adults before they start. It is injected once a month, at either 70 mg or 140 mg, using a prefilled autoinjector or syringe.
Ubrelvy vs. Aimovig Side Effects
Ubrelvy
Aimovig
Ubrelvy vs. Aimovig Dosage
Ubrelvy
Aimovig
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 50 mg or 100 mg (2nd dose) | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 50 mg or 100 mg (2nd dose) | Same as starting |
| Dose changes | None | Fixed dose |
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 70 mg once monthly | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 140 mg once monthly | If needed |
| Dose changes | 1 increase | As tolerated |
Ubrelvy
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 50 mg or 100 mg (2nd dose) | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 50 mg or 100 mg (2nd dose) | Same as starting |
| Dose changes | None | Fixed dose |
Aimovig
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 70 mg once monthly | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 140 mg once monthly | If needed |
| Dose changes | 1 increase | As tolerated |
Ubrelvy vs. Aimovig Indications
Ubrelvy
Ubrelvy is FDA-approved for the acute treatment of migraine attacks, with or without aura, in adults. It is not approved to prevent migraines from occurring, and it has not been studied in children.
Treats a migraine attack after it starts
Approved for adults with or without aura
Not approved for migraine prevention
Not approved for use in children
Aimovig
Aimovig is FDA-approved to prevent migraines in adults before they occur. It is not approved to treat a migraine attack that has already started, and it is not approved for use in children.
Prevents migraines before they start
Approved for adults only
Not approved for treating an active attack
First FDA-approved CGRP monoclonal antibody
Ubrelvy vs. Aimovig Pros and Cons
Ubrelvy
Ubrelvy offers fast, flexible relief that can be taken only when a migraine strikes, but its interactions with certain medications and grapefruit juice require careful dosing. It does not offer any preventive benefit for people with frequent migraines.
Pros
Oral tablet, no injections needed
Taken only when a migraine strikes, no fixed schedule
Second dose available if the first does not fully work
Works within hours for acute relief
Cons
Must be taken with every migraine attack, not once a month
Contraindicated with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors
Not approved for migraine prevention
Requires dose changes with grapefruit juice or other interacting drugs
Aimovig
Aimovig offers steady, once-a-month prevention with a low interaction burden, but it requires ongoing self-injections and does not treat an attack once it begins. As the first CGRP monoclonal antibody approved for migraine, it has a longer real-world track record than some newer preventive options.
Pros
Only needs to be injected once a month
No known drug interactions requiring dose changes
First FDA-approved monoclonal antibody for migraine prevention
Steady prevention instead of attack-by-attack dosing
Cons
Requires a self-injection every month
Does not treat a migraine once it has started
Constipation with serious complications has been reported
No generic or biosimilar version available
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