Can you drink on Ubrelvy?

In this article:

• Ubrelvy and alcohol
• Ubrelvy interaction with alcohol
• Contraindications
• How long should you wait to drink
• Ubrelvy alternatives
• The bottom line

In this article

• Ubrelvy and alcohol
• Ubrelvy interaction with alcohol
• Contraindications
• How long should you wait to drink
• Ubrelvy alternatives
• The bottom line

A migraine attack is like a strong storm brewing in your head—intense, unrelenting, and often debilitating. The throbbing, pulsating headache is often accompanied by nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and vision changes, making even simple tasks impossible to complete. If you’ve ever experienced a migraine headache, you know that you’d do anything to make it go away.   

Ubrelvy, the brand name for ubrogepant, is commonly prescribed to stop acute migraine attacks in their tracks. It belongs to a class of drugs known as CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide) receptor antagonists, which block the action of CGRP. This molecule is thought to play a crucial role in the development of migraines. Ubrelvy is unique in that it provides relief from migraine symptoms amid an attack without the need for over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or aspirin. Ubrelvy is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for acute migraine treatment with or without aura. However, it’s not effective for migraine prevention.

You may be wondering if it’s safe to drink alcohol while taking Ubrelvy. While moderate consumption might not pose a severe risk, there are potential Ubrelvy interactions and side effects to be aware of.

Can you drink alcohol with Ubrelvy?

“Drinking alcohol while taking Ubrelvy is not recommended,” says Andrew Youssouf, MD, a dual board-certified physician and the Medical Director at Ikon Recovery in Saddle Brook, New Jersey. He says that although there is no known direct drug interaction between Ubrelvy and alcohol, combining them can additively increase the risk of side effects, such as dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, and cognitive impairment. 

Alcohol and migraines 

“Alcohol is also a known migraine trigger for many people, meaning that drinking while treating a migraine with Ubrelvy could worsen symptoms rather than relieve them,” Dr. Youssouf points out. What’s more, alcohol can contribute to dehydration, another common migraine trigger that can interfere with the body’s ability to recover.

What happens if you mix Ubrelvy and alcohol?

One of the common concerns when combining any medication with alcohol is its impact on liver health. Ubrelvy is not known to cause liver damage; however, alcohol can affect liver function, especially when consumed in large quantities. Therefore, although Ubrelvy itself is not classified as hepatotoxic, drinking excessively while on this medication can put additional strain on your liver, which can impact your liver’s ability to safely and effectively metabolize Ubrelvy and many other medications. This may increase the risk of side effects and possibly require Ubrelvy dose adjustments.

Both Ubrelvy and alcohol affect the central nervous system (CNS), which means that taking them together can increase the risk of side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, and impaired coordination, explains Dr. Youssouf. He adds that because Ubrelvy has mild sedative properties, adding alcohol to the mix can amplify this effect, making activities like driving or operating machinery more dangerous. Additionally, alcohol’s ability to cause dehydration and inflammation can prolong a migraine, reducing the effectiveness of Ubrelvy.

“While there are currently no large-scale clinical studies specifically investigating the direct interaction between Ubrelvy and alcohol, research on CGRP receptor antagonists suggests that dehydration, inflammation, and CNS depression could reduce the body’s ability to process migraine medications effectively,” says Dr. Youssouf. Given that alcohol can exacerbate migraine symptoms and prolong attacks, he advises avoiding drinking when taking Ubrelvy.

It’s also advisable to avoid the following prescription drugs, foods, and supplements while taking Ubrelvy due to possible drug interactions: 

• Verapamil
• Carbamazepine
• Cyclosporine 
• Ciprofloxacin  
• Clarithromycin
• Ketoconazole
• Itraconazole
• Fluconazole  
• Fluvoxamine
• Phenytoin
• Rifampin  
• Quinidine  
• Carvedilol  
• Eltrombopag 
• St. John’s wort
• Curcumin
• Grapefruit juice

According to manufacturer drug information, the most common side effects of Ubrelvy are nausea, sleepiness, and dry mouth. However, serious side effects may also occur. Seek medical advice from a healthcare professional if you experience swelling of the face, mouth, tongue, or throat or difficulty breathing, which may be signs of a life-threatening allergic reaction.

Are certain people at greater risk of side effects?

According to Mike Richardson, MD, a family medicine physician at Carbon Health in Brighton, Massachusetts, some individuals may be at a higher risk of experiencing adverse effects when combining Ubrelvy and alcohol, including those with the following medical conditions:

• Individuals with liver problems: “While there haven’t been any major interactions observed in people who drink alcohol and take this medication at the same time, it is important to know that ubrogepant is processed by our liver,” says Dr. Richardson. He adds that people who have impaired liver function, like those with a history of alcohol abuse, will have a harder time clearing the medication from their body and be more at risk for side effects.
• Individuals with kidney problems: Patients with end-stage renal disease should not take Ubrelvy, and those with severe renal impairment require an adjustment to their dose of Ubrelvy. Since the kidneys are involved in excreting the medication, people with kidney dysfunction may not be able to clear the drug well from their system.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women: Dr. Richardson says it is unclear how the medication will impact pregnant or nursing individuals, so be sure to consult your healthcare provider to find out if the medication is right for you.

How long after taking Ubrelvy can you drink alcohol?

“Ubrelvy has a half-life of approximately 5 to 7 hours, meaning that it takes this amount of time for half of the drug to be eliminated from the body,” says Dr. Youssouf. So, after 24 hours (or 3-5 half-lives), most medication should be cleared from the system. To be cautious, Dr. Youssouf recommends waiting at least 24 hours before drinking alcohol to allow Ubrelvy to be fully metabolized. However, he points out that in some individuals, including those with liver disease, kidney disease, or slower metabolic rates, Ubrelvy may take longer to clear. In such cases, waiting even longer before drinking alcohol is advisable.

Which migraine medications are not affected by alcohol?

“While alcohol can interact with many migraine medications, some have a lower risk of interaction than others,” says Dr. Youssouf. However, it is important to remember that alcohol is a migraine trigger for many people, so even if it does not directly interfere with a medication, it could still worsen symptoms, he adds.

Alternative medications that may have less interaction with alcohol include: 

• NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like Advil (ibuprofen) or Aleve (naproxen)
• Tylenol (acetaminophen)
• Triptans, such as sumatriptan, rizatriptan, and eletriptan

“For individuals looking to avoid medication interactions altogether, non-medication approaches such as hydration, magnesium supplements, cold therapy, and relaxation techniques may help relieve migraines naturally without the concerns associated with alcohol use,” suggests Dr. Youssouf. Always consult your healthcare provider when considering other treatment options, he advises.

The bottom line

It may not be outright dangerous to drink alcohol while taking Ubrelvy, but it’s probably not the best idea to drink while you’re having a migraine attack. Additionally, the combination can increase your risk of drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, and dehydration, all of which can make migraine symptoms more difficult to manage, Dr. Youssouf points out. 

Since alcohol is also a common migraine trigger, drinking too soon after a migraine attack could prolong symptoms or even cause another headache. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice, especially if you’re considering drinking alcohol while on Ubrelvy.