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

Most common
nausea (4%)
somnolence (3%)

Aimovig

Most common
injection site reactions (5-6%)
constipation (up to 3%)

Ubrelvy vs. Aimovig Dosage

Ubrelvy

Dosage
Dosage Table
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

Dosage
Dosage Table
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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