What Causes Qulipta Weight Loss and How to Manage It Effectively
Introduction
Atogepant, with a trade name Qulipta, is an FDA-approved therapeutic agent usually prescribed to adult patients for preventive migraine treatment. Being a CGRP antagonist, Qulipta inhibits the activity of the calcitonin gene related peptide which has a role in inducing migraines.
While it is a good serving for someone who has chronic migraine or episodic migraine, some individuals tend to experience some attack on the side which most commonly will be weight reduction.
This article will highlight the various reasons why it is reported that Qulipta leads to weight loss, the reasons this occurs, and what patients can do to counter or lessen this problem.
Key Takeaways
- Qulipta is a pill that adults take to reduce the frequency of migraine headaches.
- Cessation of use of some Qulipta has witnessed some patients lose weight, possibly as a result of decreased appetite and metabolism in the patients.
- Weight management issues while taking Qulipta include a change of diet, weight monitoring, and advice from the medics.
- The information on the action of Qulipta and the possible side effects is important for use in enhancing the welfare of the patients on this medication.
What Is Qulipta (Atogepant)?
Qulipta is Atogepant in a simple form; it is an orally administered CGRP Antagonist that has been specifically approved for the prophylaxis of migraines amongst adults. It is a new medication, which will allow, more frequent patient-reported headache days because it is particularly effective among those with chronic (30 more headache days per month) or episodic (>15 but fewer than 30 headache days per month) headaches. It has several dose forms i.e. 30 mg and 60 mg with the specific dose being patient centered.
The unique selling point of Qulipta is the provision cuts down on gruesome migraine days through its action of blocking CGRP-associated headache-contravening protein. Several studies have indicated that Qulipta users have been able to suppress their headache attacks thus offering long-term preventive therapy for these patients.
Dosage of Qulipta
The recommended dose of Qulipta is once daily, in which the active substance is either 30 or 60 mg. This is the range that most patients with different medical conditions fall under even though it is subject to change based on the responses to the treatment.
Given the side effects of Qulipta on a patient, it must be noted that the dose of Qulipta administered to a patient is the one that has been medically recommended, and it is usually not appropriate to change Tiga One without first discussing it with a physician.
It is not unusual for anger management drugs to have adverse reactions. Some of these side effects may be few and would hardly bother you whereas some would be more critical to you. Hence it is essential to account for both the common adverse effects that a drug could bring as well as the uncommon but serious possible adverse effects.
Understanding Qulipta’s Side Effects
Like any medication, Qulipta can cause side effects. Some of these effects are mild, while others can be more serious. It’s important to be aware of both the common side effects of Qulipta and the less frequent but potentially serious side effects.
Common Side Effects of Qulipta
Some of the most frequently reported side effects of Qulipta include:
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Constipation
- Dry mouth
- Loss of appetite
These same side effects which are rather mild and only typical of most people taking Qulipta are manageable and often resolve when the hypertensive patient’s body adapts to the drug. So, the patients are advised to pay attention to those symptoms to their healthcare providers when those symptoms are persistent or getting worse.
Serious Side Effects of Qulipta
While less common, serious side effects of Qulipta include:
- Liver problems (indicated by yellowing of the skin or eyes)
- Severe allergic reactions, including rash, itching, and difficulty breathing
At the beginning of the treatment, it is necessary to be vigilant to any serious side effects. It is recommended to notify the patients that they would have an opportunity to report side effects to the FDA to collect information on the safety of the medication.
| Side Effect | Common/Serious | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Nausea | Common | Moderate |
| Fatigue | Common | Moderate |
| Liver problems | Serious | Rare |
| Allergic reactions | Serious | Rare |
Why Does Qulipta Cause Weight Loss?
One of the noticeable adverse reactions of using Qulipta, which has left users wondering is loss of money. Though not all patients would come out and claim that there was weight loss, some people under this treatment confirm a decrease in their weight. There are several possible reasons why this may happen.
Nausea and Loss of Appetite
One of the greatest side effects of Qulipta has to do with nausea. As we know, people experiencing sustained nausea often suffer from low to no appetite hence leading to weight loss. Further, a few patients taking Qulipta may complain of nausea to the extent of fasting.
Metabolic Changes
The mechanism of action of Qulipta relieves headaches through CGRP, which is a protein that not only causes headaches but also affects metabolism. Inhibition of CGRP by Qulipta leads to metabolic derangements that may lead to loss of hunger or body weight.
Clinical Trials and Weight Loss
While performing the Qulipta clinical trials, they reported weight loss for some, which was not the case for everyone. Among those who had a weight loss, there was a range of the amount lost; while some people only lost a modest amount, others experienced rather remarkable weight reductions. I should emphasize, however, that this weight loss cannot be said to be the norm and also differs from one person to the other.
Managing Weight Loss While Taking Qulipta
Should you be on Qulipta and you are shedding great amounts of weight than you should, there are many ways to cope with this side effect, to avoid compromising the state of your overall health.
Monitoring Your Body Weight
Any person who gets started on a new type of medication, Qulipta, needs to pay special attention when it comes to their body weight. Keeping track of any sudden or gradual weight changes would help determine whether the drug is inducing negative side effects on the health.
Once such a weight loss becomes noticeable, you are advised to get in touch with your physician at the earliest possible opportunity.
Dietary Adjustments
Adapting the diet can cut out some of the common causes of weight loss. Even if the appetite is poor, it is important to eat plenty of high-nutrient foods rich in vitamins and calories. Eating multiple small meals is effective in energy-inducing and aiding in healthy weight control.
Consulting Your Doctor About Dosage
Consulting Your Doctor About Dosage If weight loss becomes a concern, you may want to ask the doctor about a different dosage of Qulipta. Actually, even a lower dose of Qulipta may still help prevent migraines with fewer side effects such as weight loss.
Managing Other Side Effects from Qulipta
In addition to weight loss, Qulipta can have other side effects that need to be tackled for general health and wellness.
Nausea and Digestive Issues As pointed out before, since nausea is a common drug response to Qulipta, some users may experience weight loss through anorexia. Try to eat before taking the medication or use over-the-counter medications approved by the doctor, which help in relieving nausea.
Other Common Side Effects Fatigue
Ensure rest and avoid depletion of energy during the day. Constipation: Try to eat more fiber and drink plenty of water to beat the challenge. Dry Mouth: Keep your mouth moist by drinking water, chewing on gum without sugar or ingesting oral rinses.
Managing Other Side Effects from Qulipta
Besides weight loss, Qulipta can cause other side effects that should be managed to maintain overall health and well-being.
Nausea and Digestive Issues
As mentioned earlier, nausea from taking Qulipta can lead to weight loss due to a reduced appetite. To alleviate nausea, consider taking your medication with food or using over-the-counter remedies that your doctor approves.
Other Common Side Effects
- Fatigue: Make sure to get enough rest and manage your energy levels throughout the day.
- Constipation: Increase your fiber intake and stay hydrated to help ease constipation.
- Dry Mouth: Drink plenty of water, chew sugarless gum, or use oral rinses to keep your mouth moist.
Qulipta in Clinical Trials – Weight Loss Data
information from clinical trials of Qulipta has indicated that weight loss, although not common to all individuals as an adverse effect, has been noted by a number of patients. There was a difference in the amount of weight loss in different patients, with some being able to report marginal weight loss while other patients had weight loss in a more substantial magnitude.
Long-Term Effects on Weight
As such, unpleasant side effects such as weight gain have been reported only in a few cases, and these cases seem to be more prominent within the early stage of treatment. But in some cases, contrary to what many healthcare professionals expect, patients may in fact, report greater than than, have been anticipated or hoped for.
Hence, it is important that you follow the advice of your physician in order not to reach a situation where your weight loss becomes a problem in the future.
| Trial Group | Reported Weight Change | Percentage of Participants |
|---|---|---|
| Chronic migraine patients | Modest weight loss | 15% |
| Episodic migraine patients | No significant weight change | 75% |
| Patients on higher doses of Qulipta | Noticeable weight loss | 10% |
Alternatives to Qulipta for Migraine Prevention
Took us about two years to regain weight within the normal limits in one of the clinical studies. If adverse effects of Qulipta especially weight loss, become unbearable there are other medications for the prevention of the migraine.
Other CGRP Antagonists
- Aimovig (Erenumab)
- Ajovy (Fremanezumab)
- Emgality (Galcanezumab)
These alternatives may offer similar benefits in reducing migraine attacks but come with different side effect profiles. Discuss with your doctor whether these options could be better suited for you, particularly if weight loss is a concern.
Non-Medication Approaches
For those looking for alternative methods, lifestyle changes such as stress management, dietary adjustments, and physical activity can also help in migraine prevention. Some patients find relief through cognitive behavioral therapy, acupuncture, or biofeedback.
My Opinion
Qulipta is a preventive medication that effectively tackles migraines, however like any other medication in its class, there are adverse effects one of which may be weight loss. In all these scenarios, though this effect may not necessarily translate to everyone, an increase in care and concern is needed when patients are placed on medication in regard to their weight and general well-being.
There are ways to mitigate these adverse effects such as collaborating with healthcare professionals to consider changing the quantity of Qulipta used or looking for other medicines that serve as alternatives to Qulipta. In achieving this one has to actively take steps such as talking to their health workers regularly and changing their habits while using Qulipta.