Vydura is a new migraine treatment. You can take it to stop a migraine attack or take it regularly to prevent you from getting migraines.

The active ingredient in Vydura is rimegepant, which is part of a class of migraine medication called gepants.

Vydura works by stopping the activity in the body of something called calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). CGRP is released by nerves and makes a migraine last longer. The active ingredient in Vydura, rimegepant, blocks the release of CGRP by attaching itself to the receptor for CGRP. This helps to stop migraines.

Unlike triptans, rimegepant does not lead to a tightening of the blood vessels. As a result, it might cause fewer side effects, and it is considered suitable for people who have heart-related issues.

Vydura is both an acute medication to treat migraine as it happens and a preventative medicine taken every other day to prevent migraines.

How long does Vydura take to work?

Studies suggest that Vydura works to stop a migraine within 2 hours.

Vydura is an oral wafer that you put underneath your tongue so it dissolves into your mouth. You can take Vydura as soon as you start to experience the symptoms of a migraine.

Always follow the instructions that come with Vydura on how to take it.

When you want to take Vydura:

1. Wash and dry your hands carefully.
2. Peel back the foil cover from the blister pack, and remove one wafer.
3. Do not leave a wafer outside the blister pack for future use.
4. Place the wafer under your tongue and let it dissolve.
5. You do not need to take the wafer with food or drink.

What is the dose of Vydura?

The dose is one wafer (75g of rimegepant).

How often can I take Vydura?

You can take 1 Vydura wafer in 24 hours. If you need to take another one, you can take a second one after 24 hours. If you take Vydura to prevent migraines, take 1 wafer every two days.

Can I take other treatments for migraine while taking Vydura?

You can take over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen while taking Vydura. You can also take anti-emetics to stop you from being sick.

Do not take triptans such as sumatriptan within 48 hours of taking Vydura.

Clinical studies show that Vydura is effective in treating migraine, with 20% of patients having no headache pain 2 hours after taking it, compared with 12% who took the placebo.

The studies also found that Vydura reduced sickness symptoms and sensitivity to light associated with migraine: 36% of people taking Vydura were free of these symptoms 2 hours after treatment, compared to 27% taking the placebo.

You can buy Vydura from your local pharmacy or online, providing you have a prescription for it.

Here at Superdrug Online Doctor, our doctors can review your symptoms and issue you a prescription for Vydura, which can be sent out to you the same day for orders received before 4pm.

Is Vydura available over the counter?

You cannot buy Vydura over the counter, as it is a prescription only medication.

Is Vydura available on the NHS?

Vydura is available on the NHS however it is only offered when at least 3 other preventative treatments have failed to work.

As Vydura is a new medication, there is less information on side effects available than for other more established drugs. It is thought that gepants cause fewer side effects than taking triptans because of the way they work.

In the clinical studies for Vydura, the most common side effects reported were:

• feeling sick
• tiredness
• dry mouth
• dizziness

If you experience these side effects and they impact your life, talk to your doctor. They can advise you on ways to deal with the side effects or may recommend different medication.

If you experience any of the following side effects, you may be having an allergic reaction to one of the ingredients in Vydura and should seek urgent medical advice:

• difficulty breathing
• wheezing and coughing
• red, itchy rash
• runny or blocked nose
• itchy, watery, red eyes

As with all medication, it is essential to check that you are not allergic to any ingredients before taking Vydura.

Talk to your doctor if any of the following applies to you:

• have severe liver problems
• have reduced kidney function or dialysis
• are under 18
• are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning to get pregnant

If you are taking any of the following medications, tell your doctor as they may affect the way that Vydura works:

• itraconazole and clarithromycin to treat fungal or bacterial infections
• ritonavir and efavirenz to treat HIV infection
• St. John’s wort to treat depression
• bosentan to treat high blood pressure
• phenobarbital to treat epilepsy
• rifampicin to treat tuberculosis
• modafinil to treat narcolepsy

Doctors recommend that you do not take Vydura more than once every 48 hours if you are taking:

• fluconazole and erythromycin to treat fungal or bacterial infections
• diltiazem, quinidine, and verapamil to treat an abnormal heart rhythm, chest pain (angina) or high blood pressure
• cyclosporin to prevent organ rejection after an organ transplant

In addition to Vydura, you can treat your migraine through:

• over-the-counter painkillers
• medication to stop you from feeling or being sick from the migraine
• triptans: prescription medications to control migraine symptoms
• combination medication that includes both painkillers and anti-sickness medication

At Superdrug Online Doctor, our doctors can review your symptoms and prescribe the following medication as an alternative to Vydura. These are both triptans:

• Sumatriptan: a tablet taken as soon as a migraine attack starts
• Imigran nasal spray: a spray that you use once as soon as a migraine attack starts

If you are getting migraines regularly, talk to your doctor about medication you can take to prevent migraines.

Doctors also recommend:

• keeping a migraine diary to understand if something is triggering your migraine
• avoiding things you know may trigger your migraine
• keeping hydrated
• limiting the amount of alcohol and caffeine you drink
• maintaining a healthy weight
• eating at regular times
• getting plenty of sleep
• managing your stress levels
• getting enough exercise