What You Should Know About Zavzpret Side Effects

Zavzpret (Zavegepant) is a nasal spray used to treat migraine attacks in adults. Like all medications, it can cause side effects. Most are mild and go away on their own, but some are more serious. This guide covers what to expect and when you should call your doctor.

What Is Zavzpret?

Zavzpret is the first and only intranasal CGRP receptor antagonist approved for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura. It was approved by the FDA in March 2023 and is manufactured by Pfizer. Unlike triptans, Zavzpret works by blocking the CGRP protein that triggers migraine pain and inflammation. You can learn more in our complete guide to what Zavzpret is and how it's used.

Common Side Effects

The most frequently reported side effects of Zavzpret are related to its nasal delivery. These are generally mild to moderate and tend to improve with use:

• Dysgeusia (altered or bad taste) — This is the most common side effect, affecting up to 20–25% of patients. Many people describe it as a bitter or metallic taste that starts shortly after spraying and can last from a few minutes to a couple of hours.
• Nasal discomfort or congestion — Some patients feel irritation, stuffiness, or mild burning in the nostril used. This usually resolves quickly.
• Nausea — A small percentage of patients report mild nausea after using the spray, which may partly be related to the taste.
• Throat irritation — Some patients notice a scratchy or uncomfortable feeling in the back of the throat after administration.

These side effects are the ones seen most often in clinical trials. For most people, the bad taste is the most noticeable — and while it's unpleasant, it's temporary.

Serious Side Effects

Serious side effects with Zavzpret are rare, but they can happen. Be aware of the following:

• Hypersensitivity reactions — In rare cases, patients have experienced allergic reactions including facial swelling, hives (urticaria), and difficulty breathing (dyspnea). These reactions can occur after the first use or after repeated doses.
• Severe allergic reactions — Anaphylaxis or anaphylactic-like reactions, while very rare, require immediate emergency treatment.

When to call your doctor or go to the ER:

• Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Hives or a widespread rash
• Feeling faint or dizzy after using the spray
• Any symptom that feels severe or doesn't go away

Zavzpret does not carry a boxed warning (the most serious type of FDA warning), which is reassuring. However, you should always take allergic reaction symptoms seriously.

Specific Populations

Some groups should use extra caution with Zavzpret:

• Pregnancy — Zavzpret is not recommended during pregnancy unless clearly needed. There isn't enough data on its safety in pregnant women. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits.
• Breastfeeding — It's not known if Zavegepant passes into breast milk. Breastfeeding is generally not recommended while using this medication.
• Children and teens — The safety and effectiveness of Zavzpret have not been established in patients under 18 years of age.
• Liver impairment — No dose adjustment is needed for mild to moderate liver impairment. However, Zavzpret should be avoided in patients with severe liver impairment.
• Kidney impairment — No dose adjustment is needed for mild to moderate kidney impairment.

How to Manage Common Side Effects

If you experience common side effects, these tips may help:

• Bad taste: Have a drink of water, juice, or a flavored beverage ready after using the spray. Some patients find that sucking on a mint or hard candy helps. The taste typically fades within 30 minutes to 2 hours.
• Nasal discomfort: Avoid blowing your nose immediately after spraying. If congestion lingers, a saline nasal rinse can help.
• Nausea: Taking small sips of water or ginger tea can ease mild nausea. Avoid heavy meals right after using Zavzpret if nausea is a concern.
• Throat irritation: Drinking water or warm tea can soothe throat discomfort. This usually resolves on its own within an hour.

If any side effect becomes bothersome or doesn't improve, talk to your doctor. They may have additional strategies or may want to consider alternative migraine treatments.

How Zavzpret Compares to Other Migraine Drugs on Side Effects

One of the advantages of Zavzpret over older migraine treatments like triptans is its side effect profile. Triptans can cause chest tightness, tingling, drowsiness, and are not safe for people with certain heart conditions. Zavzpret doesn't cause blood vessel constriction, so it avoids those cardiovascular-related side effects entirely.

Compared to other oral CGRP antagonists like Ubrelvy (Ubrogepant) and Nurtec ODT (Rimegepant), Zavzpret's most distinctive side effect is the taste alteration — a direct result of its nasal spray delivery. The oral options don't typically cause taste changes but may have their own side effects like nausea or drowsiness. For a deeper comparison, see our guide on how Zavzpret works.

Final Thoughts

Most people who use Zavzpret tolerate it well. The most common complaint — a bad taste — is temporary and manageable. Serious allergic reactions are rare but important to recognize. If you experience swelling, hives, or difficulty breathing after using Zavzpret, seek emergency care immediately.

If you're considering Zavzpret for your migraines, don't let the side effects list discourage you. Talk to your doctor about whether the benefits outweigh the risks for your situation. And if you need help finding Zavzpret at a pharmacy near you, Medfinder can help you locate it in stock.