Why Qulipta Drug Interactions Matter

Qulipta (Atogepant) is processed by your liver through specific enzyme pathways — mainly CYP3A4. That means other medications, supplements, and even some herbal products that affect those same pathways can change how Qulipta works in your body. Some interactions may reduce Qulipta's effectiveness. Others may increase side effects.

This guide covers the major and moderate drug interactions to be aware of, plus what to tell your doctor before starting Qulipta.

How Drug Interactions Work With Qulipta

Qulipta is metabolized primarily by an enzyme called CYP3A4. It's also a substrate of OATP transporters (proteins that help move drugs into cells). When other substances speed up, slow down, or block these pathways, the amount of Qulipta in your blood can change:

• CYP3A4 inhibitors slow the breakdown of Qulipta → more Qulipta stays in your blood → higher risk of side effects
• CYP3A4 inducers speed up the breakdown of Qulipta → less Qulipta in your blood → reduced effectiveness
• OATP inhibitors increase Qulipta absorption → higher blood levels

This is why dose adjustments are built into Qulipta's prescribing — and why your doctor needs to know everything you're taking.

Major Drug Interactions

These interactions require dose changes or may mean you can't take Qulipta at all:

Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors

These medications slow Qulipta's breakdown significantly:

• Ketoconazole (antifungal)
• Itraconazole (antifungal)
• Clarithromycin (antibiotic)

What happens: For episodic migraine, the Qulipta dose must be reduced to 10 mg once daily. For chronic migraine, Qulipta should be avoided entirely with these medications.

Strong CYP3A4 Inducers

These medications speed up Qulipta's breakdown:

• Rifampin (antibiotic for tuberculosis)
• Carbamazepine (seizure medication)
• Phenytoin (seizure medication)

What happens: For episodic migraine, use Qulipta at 30 mg or 60 mg once daily. For chronic migraine, Qulipta should be avoided.

OATP Inhibitors

These increase how much Qulipta gets into your bloodstream:

• Cyclosporine (immunosuppressant)
• Rifampin (single dose — acts as an OATP inhibitor before the inducer effect kicks in)

What happens: For episodic migraine, reduce to 10 mg or 30 mg once daily. For chronic migraine, reduce to 30 mg once daily.

Moderate Drug Interactions

These may also require dose adjustments:

• Moderate CYP3A4 inducers — Medications like Etravirine and Efavirenz. Your doctor may need to adjust your Qulipta dose.
• Weak CYP3A4 inducers — For episodic migraine, use 30 mg or 60 mg. For chronic migraine, avoid Qulipta.

For a full overview of Qulipta dosing and adjustments, see our dosage guide.

Supplements and Over-the-Counter Products

Don't forget about non-prescription products that can interact with Qulipta:

• St. John's Wort — This popular herbal supplement for mood is a strong CYP3A4 inducer. It can significantly reduce Qulipta levels in your blood, making it less effective. Avoid St. John's Wort while taking Qulipta.
• Other herbal supplements — Some supplements may have mild effects on CYP3A4. Always tell your doctor about everything you take, including vitamins and herbal products.

Over-the-counter pain relievers like Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Ibuprofen (Advil) do not have known significant interactions with Qulipta. However, always check with your pharmacist if you're adding a new OTC medication.

Food and Drink Interactions

The good news: Qulipta has no significant food interactions. You can take it with or without food, and there are no dietary restrictions.

A few notes:

• Grapefruit and grapefruit juice — Grapefruit is a mild CYP3A4 inhibitor. While it's not specifically called out in Qulipta's labeling, it's generally wise to limit large amounts of grapefruit while taking any CYP3A4-metabolized medication.
• Alcohol — There's no specific Qulipta-alcohol interaction listed, but alcohol can worsen migraine symptoms and some Qulipta side effects like dizziness and fatigue. Use moderation.

What to Tell Your Doctor Before Starting Qulipta

Before your doctor prescribes Qulipta, make sure they know about:

• All prescription medications — Especially antifungals, antibiotics, seizure medications, and immunosuppressants
• All over-the-counter medications — Including pain relievers, allergy medications, and sleep aids
• All supplements and herbal products — Especially St. John's Wort
• Kidney or liver problems — These can affect how your body processes Qulipta and may require dose adjustments
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding plans — Qulipta may not be safe during pregnancy

If you're already taking Qulipta and a new medication is prescribed by another doctor, let both doctors and your pharmacist know. Drug interaction checks are a standard part of pharmacy practice, but it helps when you're proactive.

Final Thoughts

Qulipta's drug interactions are manageable — but they're real. The most important ones involve medications that affect the CYP3A4 enzyme pathway and OATP transporters. By keeping your doctor informed about everything you take, you can use Qulipta safely and effectively.

For more about Qulipta, explore our guides on side effects, how it works, and saving money on your prescription. Ready to fill your prescription? Use Medfinder to find Qulipta in stock near you.