FDA Side Effect Updates FDA SIDE EFFECTS UPDATE: Migraine Drugs and High Blood Pressure, Circulation Problems

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<p>At <em>the time of this publication, updates to the FDA’s Drug Safety Database appear to be stalled. This is one of the last updates we were able to collect. To learn more about the reasons behind the delay, see our article: <a href="https://medshadow.org/mission-critical-update-medication-safety-updates-from-the-fda-delayed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Medication Safety Updates from the FDA Delayed</a>]</em></p>
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<p>Welcome to the FDA Side Effects Update. This series is designed to keep you informed about the latest safety advisories and newly documented side effects of your medications. In this installment, we’re highlighting safety updates concerning Aimovig, Ajovy, Emgality, Nurtec ODT, Qulipta, Ubrelvy, and Zavspret.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How to Read This Report</h2>
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<p>This report is prepared using the most recent information posted in the <a href="https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/safetylabelingchanges/index.cfm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SrLC database</a>. It highlights recent safety labeling changes. It includes only newly reported side effects and safety information; additional side effects and warnings will appear on the drug label. Not all recent changes to the SrLC database or the label may be listed here. For all changes and the complete list of warnings and side effects, please click on the drug label link.</p>
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<p>Each of the items (approval and update dates, drug names, etc.) contained in this report are obtained from the SrLC. The side effects and medication descriptions are simplified and made</p>
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<p>clearer, if needed. Sometimes, additional sources, like a medical dictionary, may be used to translate technical medical phrases. Other sources (company news, FDA press releases, etc.) may be used to learn about some label changes.</p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">FDA Adds Warnings to a Category of Prescription Migraine Drugs</h2>
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<p><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/migraine.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Migraine headaches</a> are recurring headaches that often involve throbbing on one side of the head, nausea, and sensitivity to light. People live with migraine attacks might have headaches for hours or even days. A new class of migraine treatments, known as calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antagonists, was introduced in 2018 with the <a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-novel-preventive-treatment-migraine" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FDA approval of the Aimovig injection</a>.</p>
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<p>In the second quarter of 2023, the <a href="https://www.fda.gov/drugs/fdas-adverse-event-reporting-system-faers/april-june-2023-potential-signals-serious-risksnew-safety-information-identified-fda-adverse-event" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FDA reported</a> that it had received a number of CGRP-related adverse events reports for a condition called “Raynaud’s phenomenon” and that it would “evaluate the need for regulatory action.” <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/raynaudphenomenon.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Raynaud’s phenomenon</a> is a type of circulation problem that affects your blood vessels and causes fingers or toes to feel numb, cool, or painful. The color of fingers or toes may change to pale, blue, or red.</p>
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<p>In August 2024, the FDA <a href="https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/appletter/2024/018147Orig1s053ltr.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">began to notify</a> CGRP drug makers that labels should be updated to include warnings about Raynaud’s Phenomenon and, in cases where the warning wasn’t already on the label, the risk of hypertension (high blood pressure) or worsening hypertension.</p>
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Aimovig (active ingredient: erenumab-aooe) injection, for subcutaneous use</h3>
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<p><strong>Initial FDA Approval</strong>: 2018</p>
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<p><strong>Side Effect Update Date</strong>: March 21, 2025</p>
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<p><strong>Medication Description</strong>: Monthly treatment to prevent migraines.</p>
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<p><strong>Updated Side Effects/Safety Information</strong>: Warns that Raynaud’s phenomenon (a type of circulation problem) can develop or worsen. Raynaud’s symptoms include fingers or toes feeling numb, cool, or painful. The color of fingers or toes may change to pale, blue, or red. Added information about a pregnancy registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to Aimovig.</p>
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<p><strong>FDA Safety Announcement</strong>: <a href="https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/safetylabelingchanges/index.cfm?event=searchdetail.page&DrugNameID=1894" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aimovig FDA Safety Label Change</a> and <a href="https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/211765s013lbl.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revised Drug Label</a></p>
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Ajovy (active ingredient: fremanezumab-vfrm) injection, for subcutaneous use</h3>
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<p><strong>Initial FDA Approval</strong>: 2018</p>
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<p><strong>Side Effect Update Date</strong>: March 21, 2025</p>
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<p><strong>Medication Description</strong>:  Monthly or quarterly treatment to prevent migraines.</p>
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<p><strong>Updated Side Effects/Safety Information</strong>: Warns that hypertension (high blood pressure) can develop or pre-existing hypertension can worsen. Warns that Raynaud’s phenomenon (a type of circulation problem) can develop or worsen. Raynaud’s symptoms include fingers or toes feeling numb, cool, or painful. The color of fingers or toes may change to pale, blue, or red.</p>
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<p><strong>FDA Safety Announcement</strong>:<a href="https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/safetylabelingchanges/index.cfm?event=searchdetail.page&DrugNameID=2185" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Ajovy FDA Safety Label Change</a> and<a href="https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/761089s030lbl.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Revised Drug Label</a></p>
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Emgality (active ingredient: galcanezumab-gnlm) injection, for subcutaneous use</h3>
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<p><strong>Initial FDA Approval</strong>: 2018</p>
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<p><strong>Side Effect Update Date</strong>: March 21, 2025</p>
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<p><strong>Medication Description</strong>: Preventive treatment for migraines; also treats episodic cluster headaches.</p>
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<p><strong>Updated Side Effects/Safety Information</strong>: A new warning that hypertension (high blood pressure) can develop or pre-existing hypertension can worsen. Another warning states that Raynaud’s phenomenon (a type of circulation problem) can develop or worsen. Raynaud’s symptoms include fingers or toes feeling numb, cool, or painful. The color of fingers or toes may change to pale, blue, or red.</p>
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<p><strong>FDA Safety Announcement</strong>: <a href="https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/safetylabelingchanges/index.cfm?event=searchdetail.page&DrugNameID=1966" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Emgality FDA Safety Label Change</a> and<a href="https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/761063s010lbl.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Revised Drug Label</a></p>
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Nurtec ODT (active ingredient: rimegepant) orally disintegrating tablets, for sublingual (under the tongue) or oral use</h3>
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<p><strong>Initial FDA Approval:</strong> 2020</p>
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<p><strong>Side Effect Update Date</strong>: March 21, 2025</p>
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<p><strong>Medication Description</strong>: Preventative treatment for migraines; also treats migraine with or without aura in adults.</p>
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<p><strong>Updated Side Effects/Safety Information</strong>: A new warning that hypertension (high blood pressure) can develop or pre-existing hypertension can worsen. The warning states that hypertension may occur at any time during treatment, but was most frequently reported within seven days of therapy initiation. Another added warning that Raynaud’s phenomenon (a type of circulation problem) can develop or worsen. Raynaud’s symptoms include fingers or toes feeling numb, cool, or painful. The color of fingers or toes may change to pale, blue, or red.</p>
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<p><strong>FDA Safety Announcement</strong>: <a href="https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/safetylabelingchanges/index.cfm?event=searchdetail.page&DrugNameID=2483" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nurtec ODT FDA Safety Label Change</a> and <a href="https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/212728s026lbl.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revised Drug Label</a></p>
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Qulipta (active ingredient: atogepant) tablets</h3>
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<p><strong>Initial FDA Approval</strong>: 2021</p>
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<p><strong>Side Effect Update Date</strong>: March 21, 2025</p>
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<p><strong>Medication Description</strong>: preventative treatment for migraines in adults.</p>
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<p><strong>Updated Side Effects</strong>: A new warning that hypertension (high blood pressure) can develop or pre-existing hypertension can worsen. Another added warning that Raynaud’s phenomenon (a type of circulation problem) can develop or worsen. Raynaud’s symptoms include fingers or toes feeling numb, cool, or painful. The color of fingers or toes may change to pale, blue, or red.</p>
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<p><a href="https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/safetylabelingchanges/index.cfm?event=searchdetail.page&DrugNameID=2751" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Qulipta FDA Safety Label Change</a> and <a href="https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/215206s011lbl.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Revised Drug Label</a></p>
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Ubrelvy (active ingredient: ubrogepant) tablets</h3>
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<p><strong>Initial FDA Approval</strong>: 2019</p>
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<p><strong>Side Effect Update Date</strong>: March 21, 2025</p>
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<p><strong>Medication Description</strong>: Treats migraine with or without aura in adults; Ubrelvy is not approved for migraine prevention.</p>
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<p><strong>Updated Side Effects/Safety Information</strong>: A new warning that hypertension (high blood pressure) can develop or pre-existing hypertension can worsen. Another added warning that Raynaud’s phenomenon (a type of circulation problem) can develop or worsen. Symptoms of Raynaud’s include fingers or toes feeling numb, cool, or painful. The color of fingers or toes may change to pale, blue, or red. Raynaud’s symptom onset occurred a median of 1.5 days following dosing.</p>
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<p><strong>FDA Safety Announcement</strong>: <a href="https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/safetylabelingchanges/index.cfm?event=searchdetail.page&DrugNameID=2733" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ubrelvy FDA Safety Label Change</a> and<a href="https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/211765s013lbl.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Revised Drug Label</a></p>
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Zavspret: (active ingredient: zavegepant) nasal spray</h3>
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<p><strong>Initial FDA Approval</strong>: 2023</p>
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<p><strong>Side Effect Update Date</strong>: March 21, 2025</p>
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<p><strong>Medication Description</strong>: Treats migraine with or without aura in adults. Zavspret is not approved for migraine prevention.</p>
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<p><strong>Updated Side Effects/Safety Information</strong>: A new warning that hypertension (high blood pressure) can develop or pre-existing hypertension can worsen. An added warning that Raynaud’s phenomenon (a type of circulation problem) can develop or worsen. Symptoms of Raynaud’s include fingers or toes feeling numb, cool, or painful. The color of fingers or toes may change to pale, blue, or red.</p>
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<p><strong>FDA Safety Announcement</strong>: <a href="https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/safetylabelingchanges/index.cfm?event=searchdetail.page&DrugNameID=3091" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Zayspret FDA Safety Label Change</a> and<a href="https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/216386s005lbl.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Revised Drug Label</a></p>
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Keyana Gales-CookFebruary 12, 2026 4:50 PM

How could this new warning change the perspective of patients and what they may decide is good for their body and health?