Nurtec is the brand name of Rimegepant, a CGRP (calcitonin-gene-related peptide) receptor inhibitor. It has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of acute migraine headaches and the prevention of chronic episodic migraine headaches.
Nurtec is a very safe medicine with minimal side effects. The only two side effects mentioned in the manufacturer’s labeling are nausea which may affect 2.7% of the patients and stomach pain or indigestion which may affect 2.4% of the patients.
However, real-life users have reported many more side effects including hair loss or alopecia.
Real Stories from Nurtec Users on Hair Loss Side Effects – Hear it Straight from the Patients!
Here are some real patient reviews who experienced hair loss while using Nurtec either as a preventive medicine for episodic chronic migraine headaches or for frequent acute attacks:
Hair loss. The doctor said not related to the underlying issue. Beta-blockers (Inderal/Propanolol) can cause it. Nurtec makes it worse. Nurtec is a game-changer, can’t stop. Need to manage hair loss. |
The first time I tried Nurtec as a preventive measure, I experienced a ton of hair loss. Luckily, using Men’s Rogaine helped me regrow my hair. I decided to stop using Nurtec for a while, and unfortunately, I went through a rough period without it. However, when I started taking it again, I didn’t notice any major hair loss. |
Nowadays, I use Nurtec twice a week to keep things under control. My dermatologist recommended using the men’s strength version of Rogaine, so I followed their advice. The results have been amazing! Even after going through menopause, my hair has become incredibly thick. In fact, it’s gotten so thick that I had to get it thinned out. |
When I first started taking Nurtec, I did experience some hair loss. However, after a while, it seemed to stop on its own. It’s been about a year since I’ve been using it, and I haven’t noticed any significant hair loss since then. |
Hey, regarding hair loss… Has anyone here stopped taking this medication and noticed their hair loss getting better? I’ve been on it for three months, and I’ve experienced a significant amount of hair loss already. It might sound shallow, but I hate being in a position where I have to choose between having hair or suffering from migraines, you know? I’ve had a similar issue with Aimovig in the past, and it’s frustrating. Ugh! |
I know that hair loss isn’t officially listed as a side effect of Gepants. However, I’m pretty darn sure, like 99% sure, that Rimegepant (Nurtec/Vydura) is causing my hair loss. |
I’ve had hair loss with all the CGRP medications I’ve tried: Aimovig, Ajovy, and now Quilipta. My headache specialist explained that it can affect hair follicles, just like it affects gut function. It’s really disheartening because I’ve lost about half of my hair once again. I’m feeling so sad about it, and I’m seriously considering stopping these medications soon and giving up on them. It’s just so disappointing! |
Man, I experienced some serious hair loss with Nurtec, like almost half of my hair were gone after just three months. I was taking it as a preventive measure. When I brought this up to my neurologist, he totally brushed me off and tried to blame it on my topiramate (only 25mg per day). But here’s the thing, I’ve been on topiramate for over seven years, and I never had any hair loss until I started taking Nurtec. So, I don’t know, it’s just frustrating and confusing. 🤷🏼♀️ |
Dude, it feels like the more I take this stuff, the more my hair is falling out. My shower drain is constantly getting clogged with hair. It’s driving me nuts! |
Hey, I decided to ditch that med because it was causing me to lose hair like crazy. And you know what? It’s been about three weeks since I stopped, and guess what? The hair shedding has finally started to slow down. Thank goodness! |
Dude, I experienced hair loss with Aimovig, Emgality, and Nurtec. But here’s the thing: a couple of months after I stopped taking all of them, the hair loss stopped. It’s been a whole year now, and my hair is slowly growing back, but it’s taking forever. |
Since I started taking Nurtec, I’ve noticed some extra hair falling out, but it’s not to the point where I have thinning hair or bald spots or anything like that. It actually works pretty well for my migraines, so that’s a plus. I’m also taking Emgality. The only side effects I’ve experienced are having super vivid dreams and gaining weight. Before taking these meds, I was 95 lbs, and now I’m up to 120 lbs. |
Man, with every CGRP med I tried like Aimovig, Ubrelvy, Emgality, and Nurtec, I noticed my hair falling out, but luckily, after a few months, the hair loss started to slow down. And get this, when I stopped taking each of those meds, my hair slowly started growing back. It’s a relief, for sure! |
Dude, I restarted Nurtec around six weeks ago, and it’s crazy how fast my hair has become thinner. My ponytail feels like it’s only half the volume it used to be. It’s a bummer because my head feels so much better with the medication, but the hair loss is a real downside. |
Oh, and get this, I’ve only been taking Nurtec for nearly three months, and the shedding didn’t waste any time. It started in the second month and, man, it was a sudden and drastic change. Like, my hair just started falling out like crazy. |
I’m waiting for my roots to grow back, but it’s taking longer than expected. I’m being gentle with my hair, avoiding heat and styling. I’ve stopped taking Nurtec for now, even though it works well for my migraines. I want to save it for the most severe ones that make me vomit or would send me to the ER. |
I’ve been using Nurtec as a preventive measure since June. At the beginning, I experienced a lot of hair loss, and someone recommended that I try Rogaine for women. I bought it but haven’t used it yet. However, after a few months of being on Nurtec, my hair loss decreased significantly. |
I actually decided to stop taking Nurtec because the side effects became too much for me to handle. While it was helping with my migraines, the constipation, hair loss, and leg cramps were just too overwhelming. Sometimes, the cost of relief isn’t worth the discomfort caused by the side effects. |
I’ve been taking Nurtec as a preventive measure for three months now, and let me tell you, it’s been working wonders for me. The only downside is that right after I started taking it, my hair started falling out more than usual. It has gotten a bit better over time, but I’m still experiencing more hair loss than I’d like. My doctor recently recommended trying Rogaine, so I’m planning to give it a shot this week. Hopefully, it will help slow down the hair loss and give me some relief. Fingers crossed! |
I’ve been on Nurtec for two whole years, and let me tell you, the hair loss has been absolutely awful for me. It’s gotten so bad that I don’t see any new hair growing back, so I’m starting to worry that I might have permanent hair loss even if I stop taking it. Dealing with my insurance to get Nurtec was such a hassle that I’m scared to even try any other medications. I’ve come to accept the fact that one day I might end up bald, and there’s nothing else I can do about it. I’ve been battling migraines since I was a kid, and Nurtec really helps me enjoy my time with my family instead of being stuck in bed, sick and miserable. |
Topamax didn’t do squat for me, and the damn side effects were unbearable. But hey, I’ve found some relief with Nurtec when I feel a migraine coming, and Aimovig has been keeping them at bay as a preventive measure. Can you believe it? I went a whole freaking 62 days without a migraine! Without these meds, I’m stuck with migraines every freaking day. The only downside of this combo is that it’s making my hair fall out. |
The Shocking Link between Nurtec and Hair Loss – Exploring the Data
In a retrospective analysis, it was found that CGRP inhibitors including both biological and non-biological medicines were associated with a greater likelihood of hair loss than other migraine medicines.
In this study, the PRR (Proportional Reporting Ratio) of more than 2 was considered significant. PRR was calculated by calculating the proportion of patients developing alopecia with CGRP inhibitors vs the total number of patients who developed alopecia. This is explained in the example below:
- Total number of cases of alopecia with Nurtec: 20
- Total number of patients who reported side effects with Nurtec: 500
- Total number of cases of alopecia with all the drugs studied: 200
- Total number of all the patients who reported side effects: 10,000
The PRR: (20/500) / (200/10000) = 0.04 / 0.02 = 2
The study pointed out that CGRP inhibitors as a class are associated with greater hair loss than other drugs used to treat migraine.
The drugs that were commonly associated with hair loss were:
GEPANTs | PRR |
CGRP Inhibitor Class | 4.06 |
Fremanezumab | 5.42 |
Erenumab | 4.29 |
Galcanezumab | 4.11 |
Eptinezumab | 2.06 |
Compared to Triptans and Celecoxib, CGRP inhibitors were more likely associated with hair loss with a PPR of 12.46 and 3.50.
However, the study did not reveal significant differences between CGRP inhibitors and anticonvulsants, onabotulinumtoxinA, or beta-blockers.
Among CGRP inhibitors, it was observed that biological CGRP inhibitors were more strongly associated with Alopecia than CGRP non-biological medicines.
From Hair Loss to Hair Gain: Treatment Options to Combat Nurtec Side Effects and Reclaim Your Luscious Locks!
Since Nurtec may be the only effective medicine for your migraine headaches, stopping it to reverse your hair loss may not be an option for you.
Instead, before switching to another migraine medicine, you must try these simple measures to restore your hair and revive your looks:
Test yourself for medical conditions that can cause hair loss:
Some of the common medical conditions associated with hair loss are:
- Anemia and other nutritional deficiencies such as a lack of Vitamin D, C, Zinc, Selenium, Iron, and B-complex in your body to either poor diet or as a result of malabsorption.
- Thyroid disorders (Both hypo and hyperthyroidism can cause hair thinning and easy to fallout)
- Hormonal disorders such as menopause or high androgens as in men who are 16 to 24 years of age.
- Scalp infections and seborrhea (dandruff)
- Autoimmune disorders such as Lupus (SLE), RA (rheumatoid arthritis), and alopecia areata.
- Medications such as OCPs (Contraceptive pills), hormonal therapies, chemotherapy medications, antidepressants, anticoagulants, etc
If you have any of the above medical problems, you need to see your doctor and treat it. Your hair will start to regrow and become thickened like before.
Take Nutritional Supplements recommended for hair growth:
Nutritional supplements may help you especially if your diet is deficient. However, it is important not to exceed the daily limit as certain vitamins, such as vitamin A, in excess can cause hair loss when used for a longer period of time.
Here are some recommended vitamins and their daily RDA as well as some of the “best seller brands at Amazon to buy:
Vitamins | RDA | Top 3 Best Seller Brands at Amazon |
Biotin | 30 mcg (most supplements contain 10000 mcg because, for therapeutic purposes, higher doses are used and are not harmful) | |
Iron |
|
|
Zinc |
| |
Vitamin D | 15 mcg (600 IU) | |
Vitamin E | 15 mg (22.4 IU) | |
Vitamin C |
| |
Omega-3 fatty acids | 250 – 500 mg | |
Saw Palmetto | None mentioned | |
Niacin |
| |
Selenium | 55 mcg | |
Protein Supplements | 0.8 to 2 gm/kg body weight |
Note that there is a huge difference between the RDA and the strength of most supplements. This is because, for treatment purposes, you need to take higher doses or treatment doses rather than just your daily dose.
Medical treatment for Hair growth caused by Nurtec:
Medical treatment can range from applying simple topical solutions such as Rogaine (Minoxidil) to injecting plasma and hair transplantation.
Most patients recover by taking the nutritional supplements mentioned above, correcting their hormonal and medical problems, and using one of the following medical treatments:
Minoxidil (Rogaine) solution:
Minoxidil is a vasodilator. It increases the blood flow to hair follicles when applied over the scalp. It is available as a 2% and 5% solution or spray that is applied two to three times a day over the scalp.
The three top brands and best sellers at Amazon are:
- Men’s Rogaine 5% Minoxidil Foam for Hair Loss and Hair Regrowth, (Pack of 3)
- Men’s Rogaine Extra Strength 5% Minoxidil Topical Solution – 3-Month Supply
- Women’s Rogaine 5% Minoxidil Foam for Hair Thinning and Loss, 4-Month Supply
Finasteride:
Finasteride is an androgen inhibitor. It blocks the conversion of testosterone into its active form. It is a prescription medicine and your doctor can prescribe it. However, it is contraindicated in women who are pregnant or who are planning to become pregnant.
Laser therapy, PRP (platelet-rich plasma therapy), and hair transplantation are reserved only for difficult-to-treat cases and those patients whose symptoms do not improve despite stopping Nurtec and CGRP therapies.
In addition, it is recommended to use a mild shampoo, avoid tight hairstyles and ponytails, manage stress, take a healthy diet rich in all the essential vitamins, and not lose weight rapidly.
Have you noticed hair loss with Nurtec? Can you spare a minute and participate in the polls below👇
- Question of
Have you noticed hair loss with Nurtec?
- Yes
- No
- Question of
How severe was your hair loss with Nurtec?
- Very severe. I had to discontinue Nurtec
- Severe. I needed to see my doctor
- Moderate. I tried some supplements
- Mild. It was transient. Did not need any treatment
- I did not have hair loss with Nurtec
- Question of
Which OTC treatment is the best for hair loss?
- B-complex vitamins such as Biotin, Niacin, and Folic acid
- Zinc
- Selenium
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Protein Supplements
- Minoxidil Topical Solution
- Other