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Aquipta

Also called atogepant

Key points about Aquipta

Aquipta® is a medicine used to prevent migraine attacks.
Aquipta is also called atogepant.
Find out how to use it safely and possible side effects.

Aquipta® is used to prevent migraines in people who have 4 or more migraine days per month.

Aquipta works by blocking the action of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Increased levels of CGRP have been linked to the pain and inflammation associated with migraine. Read more about migraine.

Aquipta is taken every day to prevent migraines.

It helps to reduce how often migraine attacks happen, so you have fewer migraine days each month.
It may also help to reduce the severity of your migraines, meaning the pain and other migraine symptoms may be less intense.

Note: Aquipta helps prevent migraines, but it won't stop a migraine once it has started. If you do get a migraine, you'll still need to take your usual pain relief. Read more about migraine medicines.

Availability in Aotearoa New Zealand

In Aotearoa New Zealand Aquipta is only available on prescription and is not funded, so you'll need to pay when you collect your medicine.

AbbVie, the pharmaceutical company that makes Aquipta, offers an access programme for the medicine.

The programme price is $352.80 for a one-month supply (28 × 60 mg tablets), and shipments can be sent to pharmacies across Aotearoa New Zealand for approximately $6 to $12, depending on the location.
Up to three months’ supply can be dispensed at a time.
Learn more about atogepant availability in New Zealand(external link).

In Aotearoa New Zealand Aquipta is available as tablets (60 mg).

Always use Aquipta exactly as your healthcare provider has told you. The pharmacy label on your medicine will tell you how much to use, how often to use it and any special instructions. Here is some guidance:

Dose: The usual dose is 1 tablet once a day.
Timing: Take your tablet once a day, at about the same time each day. You can take your dose with or without food. Swallow your tablets with a drink of water.
Missed dose: If you forget to take your dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it's nearly time for your next dose, take the next dose at the right time. Don't take double the dose.

Here are some things to know when you're taking Aquipta. Other things may be important as well, so ask your healthcare provider what you should know about.

Keep a headache diary

Aquipta doesn’t cure migraines, but it can reduce how often migraines happen and make them less severe when they do occur. It's a good idea to keep a diary, to track how often your migraines occur and how severe they are. This information helps you and your healthcare provider see patterns, check how well your treatment is working, and make better decisions about your care. See headache and migraine diary and migraine and headache apps.

Taking other medicines

Aquipta interacts with some medicines, herbal supplements and rongoā Māori, so check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting Aquipta and before starting any new products.

If you're pregnant or planning a pregnancy

It's best to avoid becoming pregnant while you're taking Aquipta. Discuss with your healthcare provider which types of contraception are suitable for you. Don't breastfeed if you're taking Aquipta.

Like all medicines, Aquipta can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. If you're concerned about any symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider. The following information offers some guidance but doesn't include all possible side effects.

Common side effects

Tell your healthcare provider if these bother you.

Nausea (feeling sick).
Constipation (difficulty passing poo).
Decreased appetite.
Losing weight.
Feeling drowsy, sleepy or very tired.

Phone 111 for an ambulance or go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) clinic if these occur

Signs of an allergic reaction such as itchy skin, and rash, swollen lips or tongue, problems breathing, like a tight chest or shortness of breath.

The following link has more information on Aquipta:

Aquipta(external link) Medsafe Consumer Information Sheet, NZ