A Comprehensive Review of the Mechanism, Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Ubrogepant in the Treatment of Migraine

• Published in: Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) CA), 2023-11, Vol.15 (11), p.e48160-e48160
• Main Authors: Dighriri, Ibrahim M, Nazel, Shahad, Alharthi, Aeshah M, Altowairqi, Nasreen A, Albariqi, Aqeel M, Tohari, Mona A, Alameer, Atheer A, Alsaran, Amjad K, ALshammari, Fares R, AlMutairi, Naif F, Alsubaie, Fahad M, Alharbi, Turki A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Blood vessels; Clinical trials; Comparative analysis; Drug dosages; Migraine; Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; Oral Medicine; Pain; Peptides; Public Health; Therapeutics
• ISSN: 2168-8184; 2168-8184
• DOI: 10.7759/cureus.48160

Ubrogepant is an innovative medication designed for the acute treatment of migraine, a debilitating neurological condition that profoundly impairs quality of life, productivity, and social interactions. This comprehensive review assesses the efficacy, safety, tolerability, and mechanism of action of ubrogepant through a rigorous methodology, including an in-depth literature review from reputable databases like PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane. Classified as a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist, ubrogepant has emerged as a potential revolutionary medication for migraine treatment. CGRP is a peptide integral to migraine pathophysiology, and its blockade has demonstrated great therapeutic potential. Unlike triptans, known for their cardiovascular risks, ubrogepant lacks vasoconstrictive properties, making it a safer alternative for a broader patient population. Ubrogepant offers significant potential for pain relief, symptom reduction, and restoration of normal function during a migraine attack, and it outperforms placebo in terms of efficacy. It also presents favorable safety, with generally mild adverse drug events (ADEs), such as nausea, dizziness, and somnolence, similar to placebo effects. Consistent results from clinical trials confirm its tolerability, with minor ADEs and no safety alerts for the tested doses, indicating that ubrogepant is a safe and well-tolerated option for migraine treatment. As an effective oral medication, ubrogepant could be an alternative to traditional acute migraine treatments. Its benefits include a unique mechanism of action, rapid onset, and favorable safety profile. However, specific contraindications, such as hypersensitivity, severe hepatic impairment, concurrent use of CYP3A4 inhibitors, pregnancy or breastfeeding, and uncontrolled hypertension, require caution or avoidance of ubrogepant. Despite these limitations, ubrogepant signals a promising new direction in migraine therapeutics.