Controversy Surrounding Migraine Medication Endorsed by Serena Williams

A migraine medication once endorsed by tennis legend Serena Williams is facing significant backlash due to allegations claiming that its advertisements overstated its effectiveness. The situation has garnered considerable media attention and consumer scrutiny, particularly because it features such a prominent public figure.

At 42 years of age, Williams recently appeared in an advertisement created by AbbVie, a leading American pharmaceutical company. The ad promotes Ubrelvy, a medication intended for treating migraines. The advertisement boldly asserts that just “one dose works fast to eliminate migraine pain,” making a striking claim that has sparked criticism from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Criticism from the FDA

The FDA has publicly criticized the advertisement, labeling the claim as not only misleading but also unsubstantiated. In response to these concerns, the agency issued a formal warning to AbbVie. They stated that no clinical trials have conclusively demonstrated the effectiveness of a single dose of Ubrelvy for the complete alleviation of migraine pain. Moreover, the FDA raised alarms regarding Williams’ participation in the commercial, arguing that featuring a celebrity of her caliber could lend undue credibility to misleading claims and make them seem more convincing to the general public.

In particular, the FDA pointed out compelling scenes from the commercial that depicted the 23-time Grand Slam champion suffering from a migraine while in a talk show dressing room. The visual narrative transitions from a hallway filled with glaring overhead lights to a calming blue path, symbolizing her journey to relief while holding a 100 mg packet of Ubrelvy.

Serena Williams’ Personal Experience

Williams spoke about her experiences with migraines, describing Ubrelvy as a source of “relief” amidst her busy life, which included being a first-time mother to her then-toddler daughter, Olympia Alexis Ohanian, alongside her roles as a wife and businesswoman during the pandemic lockdown. “I don’t know if I’ve had any migraine attacks since I’ve started taking Ubrelvy, to be honest,” she told People magazine in April 2021. “And thank goodness, because they’re debilitating and it can be really awful to deal with,” she added, highlighting the profound impact migraines can have on daily life.

Ubrelvy is prescribed in doses of either 50 mg or 100 mg. The price for the medication can be steep, costing around $1,000 for ten tablets if bought out of pocket. However, costs can vary due to insurance coverage and potential rebates from AbbVie, with the drug being listed at approximately $35 on Amazon for insured customers.