Qulipta Is an Oral Medication for Migraine Prevention

Qulipta (Atogepant) is a prescription oral tablet used to prevent migraine attacks in adults. It belongs to a class of medications called CGRP receptor antagonists — also known as "gepants" — and is taken once daily. Qulipta is FDA-approved for the preventive treatment of both episodic migraine (fewer than 15 headache days per month) and chronic migraine (15 or more headache days per month).

Made by AbbVie, Qulipta was first approved in 2021 for episodic migraine and later received approval for chronic migraine. As of 2026, it remains one of the most prescribed oral CGRP-based preventive migraine treatments available.

What Is Qulipta Used For?

Qulipta is specifically approved for:

• Preventive treatment of episodic migraine in adults — If you experience fewer than 15 migraine days per month, Qulipta can help reduce how often attacks occur.
• Preventive treatment of chronic migraine in adults — For patients with 15 or more headache days per month (with at least 8 being migraine days), Qulipta can significantly reduce monthly migraine days.

It's important to understand that Qulipta is a preventive medication — you take it every day to reduce the number of migraine attacks you get. It is not designed to treat a migraine that's already happening. For acute migraine treatment, your doctor may prescribe a different medication like a triptan or Nurtec ODT (which has both acute and preventive indications).

To understand the science behind how Qulipta prevents migraines, see our guide on how Qulipta works.

How Is Qulipta Taken?

Qulipta comes in three tablet strengths:

• 10 mg — once daily
• 30 mg — once daily
• 60 mg — once daily

Key dosing details:

• Episodic migraine: Your doctor may prescribe 10 mg, 30 mg, or 60 mg once daily. The right dose depends on your individual response and any other medications you take.
• Chronic migraine: The recommended dose is 60 mg once daily.
• Take with or without food — There are no food restrictions with Qulipta.
• Swallow tablets whole — Do not crush or chew.
• Take it at the same time each day — This helps maintain consistent levels in your body.

Dose Adjustments

Your dose may need to be adjusted if you:

• Take strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (like Ketoconazole or Clarithromycin) — dose reduced to 10 mg daily for episodic migraine; avoid for chronic migraine
• Take strong CYP3A4 inducers (like Rifampin or Carbamazepine) — use 30 mg or 60 mg for episodic migraine; avoid for chronic migraine
• Have severe kidney impairment — 10 mg daily for episodic migraine; avoid for chronic migraine

For more on medications that interact with Qulipta, see our drug interactions guide.

Who Should Not Take Qulipta?

Qulipta should not be taken by people who are allergic to Atogepant or any of its ingredients. Tell your doctor if you have a history of:

• Severe kidney disease or are on dialysis (ESRD) — dose limitations or avoidance may apply
• Severe liver disease — may need to avoid Qulipta for chronic migraine treatment
• Pregnancy or plans to become pregnant — Qulipta may harm a developing fetus
• Breastfeeding — it's unknown if Qulipta passes into breast milk

Qulipta is not approved for use in patients under 18 years old. It is not a controlled substance.

For a full breakdown of side effects and safety information, read our guide on Qulipta side effects.

How Much Does Qulipta Cost?

Without insurance, Qulipta costs approximately $1,185 to $1,600 per month (30 tablets). As a brand-name medication with no generic available, it's one of the more expensive migraine preventives.

However, most patients don't pay the full cash price:

• Qulipta Complete Savings Card — Eligible commercially insured patients may pay as little as $0 per month. You can also receive up to 2 free one-month fills while your insurance PA is pending. Call 1-855-QULIPTA or visit QULIPTASavingsCard.com.
• Insurance coverage — Most commercial and Medicare Part D plans cover Qulipta, usually with prior authorization. You'll typically need to show you've tried at least one generic preventive (like Topiramate or Propranolol) first.
• myAbbVie Assist — AbbVie's patient assistance program for uninsured or underinsured patients who meet financial criteria.

For a complete breakdown of savings options, see our guide on how to save money on Qulipta.

Final Thoughts

Qulipta is a once-daily oral medication that gives adults with episodic or chronic migraine a convenient, injection-free option for prevention. With three dose strengths and a manageable side effect profile, it's become a popular choice among both patients and providers.

If you think Qulipta might be right for you, start by talking to your doctor or finding a prescriber near you. Already have a prescription? Use Medfinder to check which pharmacies have Qulipta in stock.