How much do CGRP migraine pills cost with a copay savings card?

Patients with eligible commercial insurance may pay as little as $0 per prescription using the manufacturer savings programs for Ubrelvy, Nurtec ODT, and Qulipta. Government beneficiaries such as Medicare and Medicaid are excluded. Our pharmacy team enrolls eligible patients in these programs at no charge and applies the card at the register.

Do these migraine medications need prior authorization?

Most commercial and Medicare plans require prior authorization for gepants, often after a documented trial of a triptan. We flag the requirement as soon as the prescription arrives and coordinate with your prescriber's office so their staff can submit the request quickly. The pharmacy does not submit the authorization itself.

Ubrelvy vs Nurtec ODT vs Qulipta: A NYC Pharmacist's Guide to CGRP Migraine Pills

Q: Where can I fill Ubrelvy, Nurtec ODT, or Qulipta in NYC?

79th Street Pharmacy on the Upper West Side stocks Ubrelvy (ubrogepant), Nurtec ODT (rimegepant), and Qulipta (atogepant). Prescriptions can be sent electronically by your neurologist or primary care provider, and we offer same-day pickup at 179 W 79th Street or free delivery across Manhattan and much of NYC.

Q: What is the difference between Ubrelvy, Nurtec ODT, and Qulipta?

All three are oral CGRP-targeting medications (gepants). Ubrelvy is used to treat a migraine attack after it starts. Nurtec ODT can both treat an attack and, taken every other day, help prevent migraine. Qulipta is taken once daily for prevention only.

Q: Can I take Ubrelvy and Qulipta together?

Some prescribers pair a daily preventive such as Qulipta with an as-needed acute treatment such as Ubrelvy. Combining two gepants should only be done under the direction of your healthcare provider, who will consider your attack frequency and other medications.

If you live in New York City and your neurologist has just written for Ubrelvy, Nurtec ODT, or Qulipta, you probably have two questions: what is the difference between them, and where can you actually get one filled today without a week of insurance back-and-forth?

This guide answers both. We are an independent pharmacy at 179 W 79th Street on the Upper West Side, and we keep all three of these gepants on the shelf.

What Are Gepants?

Ubrelvy (ubrogepant), Nurtec ODT (rimegepant), and Qulipta (atogepant) belong to a class called oral CGRP receptor antagonists, or "gepants." CGRP - calcitonin gene-related peptide - is a protein released during a migraine attack that dilates blood vessels and amplifies pain signaling. Gepants block the CGRP receptor.

Unlike triptans (sumatriptan, rizatriptan), gepants do not constrict blood vessels. That makes them an option for many patients with cardiovascular risk factors who cannot take triptans, and they are not associated with medication-overuse headache in the same way.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Medication	Generic	Used For	Typical Dosing
Ubrelvy	Ubrogepant	Acute treatment of migraine	50 mg or 100 mg at onset; may repeat once after 2 hours (max 200 mg/day)
Nurtec ODT	Rimegepant	Acute treatment and episodic prevention	75 mg dissolving tablet as needed (max 1/day), or 75 mg every other day for prevention
Qulipta	Atogepant	Prevention of episodic and chronic migraine	10 mg, 30 mg, or 60 mg once daily

Dosing shown is typical labeled dosing. Always follow the directions on your prescription.

Ubrelvy (Ubrogepant)

Ubrelvy is taken when a migraine starts. Many patients report meaningful relief within two hours, and it can be taken with or without food. Because it is acute-only, most prescriptions are written for a set number of tablets per month - often 10 or 16 - which is also what insurance plans tend to limit.

The most commonly reported side effects are nausea and drowsiness. Ubrelvy interacts with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (for example clarithromycin, ketoconazole, and some HIV medications), so bring us your full medication list and we will screen it.

Nurtec ODT (Rimegepant)

Nurtec ODT is the only gepant approved for both acute treatment and prevention. The orally disintegrating tablet dissolves on the tongue without water - useful during an attack with nausea or when you are on the subway and nowhere near a glass of water.

For prevention, the dose is one tablet every other day. Nausea and abdominal pain are the most frequently reported side effects. Plans often cap acute quantities at 8 to 16 tablets per month, and prevention requires its own authorization in most cases.

Qulipta (Atogepant)

Qulipta is prevention only - one tablet daily, whether or not you have a headache that day. It is approved for both episodic migraine (fewer than 15 headache days per month) and chronic migraine (15 or more).

Common side effects include nausea, constipation, and fatigue. Dose adjustments may be needed with certain CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers and in severe hepatic or renal impairment. Because it is a daily maintenance medication, Qulipta is a good candidate for our automatic refill and delivery program so you never run out mid-month.

Which One Is Right for You?

A few attacks a month, want something for when they hit: an acute gepant like Ubrelvy or Nurtec ODT.
Frequent attacks that disrupt work or school: a daily preventive like Qulipta, or Nurtec ODT every other day.
Trouble swallowing tablets or severe nausea during attacks: Nurtec ODT dissolves without water.
Cardiovascular risk factors that rule out triptans: gepants do not constrict blood vessels - discuss all three with your prescriber.

This decision belongs to you and your prescriber. Our role is to make sure whichever one they choose is affordable, in stock, and in your hands quickly.

Copay Savings: What You Can Actually Pay

Each manufacturer runs a copay savings program for patients with eligible commercial insurance, and many patients pay as little as $0 per fill:

Ubrelvy - AbbVie Complete savings card
Nurtec ODT - Pfizer Nurtec ODT savings program
Qulipta - AbbVie Complete savings card

We enroll eligible patients at no charge and apply the card at the register, so you see the lower price the first time rather than after a phone call. Government beneficiaries (Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE) are excluded from these offers by law - for those patients we look at plan formulary alternatives and manufacturer patient assistance instead.

Cash-pay pricing without insurance is high for all three. Call us before paying out of pocket and we will tell you exactly what your options are.

Prior Authorization in NYC Plans

Most NYC commercial plans require prior authorization for gepants, frequently after a documented trial of at least one triptan. When your prescription reaches us, we check the requirement immediately and contact your prescriber's office with the plan criteria and the exact form needed, so their staff can submit it without hunting for details. The submission itself is completed by the prescriber's office - we coordinate to make that as fast as possible and keep you updated.

Filling Ubrelvy, Nurtec, or Qulipta at 79th Street Pharmacy

All three kept in stock - no "we can order it for tomorrow"
Same-day pickup at 179 W 79th Street, Upper West Side, New York, NY 10024
Free delivery across Manhattan and much of NYC
Copay card enrollment handled by our team
Prior authorization coordination with your prescriber's office
Easy transfer from any chain or mail-order pharmacy - we call them for you

Ask your neurologist or primary care provider to send the prescription to 79th Street Pharmacy, or start a transfer here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I fill Ubrelvy, Nurtec ODT, or Qulipta in NYC?

79th Street Pharmacy on the Upper West Side stocks all three. Prescriptions can be sent electronically by your provider, and we offer same-day pickup or free delivery across NYC.

What is the difference between Ubrelvy, Nurtec ODT, and Qulipta?

Ubrelvy treats an attack after it starts. Nurtec ODT can treat an attack and, every other day, help prevent migraine. Qulipta is a once-daily preventive only.

How much do CGRP migraine pills cost with a savings card?

With eligible commercial insurance, many patients pay as little as $0 per prescription. Government beneficiaries are excluded from manufacturer savings offers.

Do these medications need prior authorization?

Usually yes. We identify the requirement right away and coordinate with your prescriber's office, which submits the request.

Can I take Ubrelvy and Qulipta together?

Some prescribers combine a daily preventive with an as-needed acute treatment. Only do this under your provider's direction.

The Bottom Line

Ubrelvy, Nurtec ODT, and Qulipta all block CGRP, but they solve different problems: stopping an attack, preventing the next one, or both. Once your prescriber picks the right one, the rest is logistics - stock, savings card, authorization - and that part is ours to handle.

This information is educational and is not medical advice. Prescription required. Talk with your healthcare provider about which migraine treatment is right for you.