Aquipta

Aquipta is available as tablets to be taken by mouth once a day. It can only be obtained with a prescription.

For more information about using Aquipta, see the package leaflet or contact your doctor or pharmacist.

The exact way that Aquipta works is not fully understood. The active substance in Aquipta, atogepant, attaches to receptors (targets) for proteins called CGRP and amylin-1. These proteins are involved in the development of migraine. By attaching to these receptors, the medicine prevents CGRP and amylin-1 from binding to them. This helps prevent migraines from occurring.

Aquipta was shown to reduce the number of days patients have migraines in two main studies.

In one study involving 882 patients who experienced at least 4 migraines a month, treatment with Aquipta for 12 weeks reduced migraines from around 8 days a month to around 3 to 4 days a month, compared with around 5 days for patients taking placebo (a dummy treatment).

In another study involving 760 patients who experienced at least 15 headache days a month with 8 out of these being migraine days, treatment with Aquipta for 12 weeks reduced migraines from around 19 days a month to around 12 days a month, compared with 14 days for patients taking placebo.

For the full list of side effects and restrictions with Aquipta, see the package leaflet.

The most common side effects with Aquipta (which may affect up to 1 in 10 people) include nausea (feeling sick), constipation, tiredness, somnolence (sleepiness), decreased appetite and decreased weight.

Aquipta can reduce the number of days patients have migraines. Most of the side effects are mild or moderate in severity. Following concerns about a possible link to liver injury, an in-depth safety analysis provided reassurance about the medicine’s liver safety profile. The European Medicines Agency therefore decided that Aquipta’s benefits are greater than its risks and it can be authorised for use in the EU.

Recommendations and precautions to be followed by healthcare professionals and patients for the safe and effective use of Aquipta have been included in the summary of product characteristics and the package leaflet.

As for all medicines, data on the use of Aquipta are continuously monitored. Suspected side effects reported with Aquipta are carefully evaluated and any necessary action taken to protect patients.

Aquipta received a marketing authorisation valid throughout the EU on 11 August 2023.