Does Ubrelvy Cause Constipation? Why it Happens and Home Remedies

Ubrelvy (ubrogepant) is a prescription tablet used to treat migraines when they occur in adults. It is not taken to prevent migraines. Some people may experience constipation when taking Ubrelvy, although this was not a common side effect in clinical trials of the drug.

This article will discuss why constipation might happen while taking Ubrelvy and how you can manage it.

Constipation is not a common side effect of Ubrelvy.

In two large clinical trials, researchers tracked the experiences of 1,439 people who took either 50 milligrams (mg) or 100 mg of Ubrelvy.

The results showed that the most common side effects, occurring in at least 2% of people, were nausea and sleepiness. Nausea occurred in 2% to 4% of people, while sleepiness occurred in 2% to 3%. Dry mouth was also reported in 1% to 2% of cases.

Constipation and other digestive side effects were not listed as a side effects, which suggests it is not a typical reaction to the medication.

There are several explanations for why some people experience constipation with Ubrelvy.

Rather than Ubrelvy causing constipation, it may be due to the migraine itself. People often experience gastrointestinal issues, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation during a migraine attack. Research has also found that people with migraine are 4 times more likely to experience constipation than people without it.

Although constipation wasn’t reported as a side effect of Ubrelvy in clinical trials, it’s still possible.

Ubrelvy belongs to a class of drugs called calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonists. They are also called gepants. CGRP is a protein involved in sending pain signals during a migraine. It’s also found throughout the enteric nervous system—the network of nerves that controls the gut.

In your gut, CGRP helps regulate gut motility. By blocking these CGRP signals to stop a migraine, Ubrelvy could theoretically dampen the signals that tell your gut to keep moving, which might slow down digestion.

Research shows that about 42% of Ubrelvy is excreted in the feces (poop), meaning it travels all the way through the digestive system before it leaves the body. So being present in the intestines could, in theory, affect gut motility and cause constipation.

You can often manage mild constipation at home, but if it doesn’t improve with lifestyle changes and OTC medication, talk with a doctor.

Yes. Migraines often cause nausea and vomiting, which can lead to dehydration. When your body is dehydrated, it is much harder for waste to move through the gut, making constipation more likely.

Yes. Migraines often cause nausea and vomiting, which can lead to dehydration. When your body is dehydrated, it is much harder for waste to move through the gut, making constipation more likely.

You should only stop the medication immediately if you have a serious allergic reaction or signs of Raynaud phenomenon. For other issues like constipation, keep a record of when they happen and discuss them with your doctor before making any changes to your treatment plan.

You should only stop the medication immediately if you have a serious allergic reaction or signs of Raynaud phenomenon. For other issues like constipation, keep a record of when they happen and discuss them with your doctor before making any changes to your treatment plan.

This likely varies, and as it’s not a common side effect, no typical timeframe is available. Ubrelvy has a half life of about 5 to 7 hours, which means it leaves your system relatively quickly compared to some preventive medications that stay in your body for weeks.

This likely varies, and as it’s not a common side effect, no typical timeframe is available. Ubrelvy has a half life of about 5 to 7 hours, which means it leaves your system relatively quickly compared to some preventive medications that stay in your body for weeks.

“Triptans are the gold standard for migraine treatment and studies have shown they may be more effective than gepants. Gepants may be used for migraine prevention or treatment, depending on the drug used.

A doctor may prefer gepants over triptans if a patient has had a cardiovascular event within the prior 6 months, because gepants don’t constrict blood vessels. However, a doctor may prefer triptans if the patient has a significant history of gastrointestinal problems.”

_{Quotes represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.}

Clinical studies show that constipation is not a common side effect of Ubrelvy. Nausea and sleepiness are more likely.

Constipation and migraine may share similar causes, such as disruption to the gut-brain axis. It’s also possible that Ubrelvy’s mechanism of blocking the CGRP protein may also contribute to slowed gut motility and dry, hard stools.

Try to manage constipation at home, but see a doctor if it doesn’t improve or you have other symptoms, such as blood in the stool and abdominal pain.

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