Aimovig

Generic name: Erenumab
Dosage form: SureClick autoinjector (70 mg/mL, 140 mg/mL), prefilled syringe (70 mg/mL, 140 mg/mL)
Drug class: CGRP inhibitors

Usage of Aimovig

Aimovig (erenumab-aooe) is a once-monthly, injectable medication that can be self-administered subcutaneously (under the skin) for the prevention of migraine in adults.

Aimovig works by blocking the effect of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) which is a small protein that is highly prevalent in the sensory nerves that supply the head and the neck. CGRP is involved in pain transmission and levels increase during a migraine attack. It may also play a causative role in the formation of migraine attacks. CGRP inhibitors are used to manage migraines and there are two types of CGRP inhibitors – monoclonal antibodies and CGRP receptor antagonists (gepants). Aimovig is a monoclonal antibody.

Aimovig was first FDA-approved on May 17, 2018.

Aimovig side effects

Aimovig may cause serious side effects, including:

Allergic reactions, including a rash or swelling. This can happen within hours to days after using the medicine. Call your healthcare provider or get emergency medical help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Severe constipation. In some cases, people have been hospitalized or needed surgery. Contact your healthcare provider if you have severe constipation or constipation associated with symptoms such as severe or constant belly pain, vomiting, swelling of the belly, or bloating.

High blood pressure or worsening of high blood pressure. Ask your healthcare provider to monitor your blood pressure or call them immediately if you develop severe headaches, blurred vision, or pounding in your neck or ears.

The most common side effects of Aimovig affecting 3% or more patients include:

pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site

constipation.

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all of the possible side effects of Aimovig. Ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for more information. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to Amgen at 1-800-77-AMGEN (1-800-772-6436).

Before taking Aimovig

You should not use Aimovig if you are allergic to erenumab or any of the inactive ingredients in the injection.

Before you start using Aimovig, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you are:

Pregnant or plan to become pregnant

Breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Pregnancy

It is not known if Aimovig will harm your unborn baby. However, having migraine headaches during pregnancy may cause complications such as preeclampsia (dangerously high blood pressure that can lead to medical problems in both mother and baby). The benefit of preventing migraines may outweigh any risks to the baby.

There is a pregnancy registry for women who take Aimovig. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about your health and your baby’s health. You may enroll yourself by calling 1-833-244-4083 or visiting https://www.genesispregnancyregistry.com/. Or you may talk to your doctor about how you can take part in this registry.

Breastfeeding

It is not known if Aimovig passes into your breast milk. It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risks.

Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby while using Aimovig.

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How to use Aimovig

The recommended dosage of Aimovig is 70mg once a month.

Some people may benefit from a dosage of 140mg once a month.

Warnings

Aimovig may cause allergic reactions. If a serious allergic reaction occurs, stop injecting Aimovig and go to the emergency room. Hypersensitivity reactions can occur within hours to more than one week after administration.

May also cause constipation with serious complications and new-onset or worsening of pre-existing high blood pressure may occur.

Before you inject Aimovig, always check the label of your single-dose prefilled autoinjector or single-dose prefilled syringe to make sure you have the correct medicine and the correct dose.

Aimovig does not treat an acute migraine (one that is happening right now).

Aimovig is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

What other drugs will affect Aimovig

Other drugs may interact with Aimovig, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Tell your pharmacist or healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including any prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements. See the prescribing information for a full list of interactions.

Popular FAQ

Ajovy and Aimovig are both calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibitors used for migraine prevention in adults. The dosing, side effects, effectiveness and costs of these medicines can vary. As demonstrated in studies, these agents can reduce the number of migraine headache days you experience by about 1.5 to 3 days per month when compared to a placebo (inactive) treatment, but your response may vary. Continue reading

The gastrointestinal (digestive) tract contains CGRP proteins. Some studies suggest that CGRP may play an important role in maintaining the movement of the bowels. Blocking intestinal CGRP with a CGRP antagonist such as Aimovig (erenumab-aooe), a medicine used for migraine prevention, may lead to constipation, which can be severe in some patients. Continue reading

It takes approximately 154 days (22 weeks, or over 5 months) for Aimovig to be eliminated out of your system. Aimovig is a prescription medicine injected monthly for the preventive treatment of migraine in adults. Continue reading

Aimovig (erenumab-aooe) works by blocking the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor binding site and function. This helps to prevent the development of a migraine headache and associated pain. CGRP is a protein thought to cause blood vessels to dilate and lead to inflammation and migraine headache pain. Continue reading

There is not a specific warning against alcohol (ethanol) consumption with the migraine preventive medicine Aimovig (erenumab-aooe). However, drinking alcoholic beverages can trigger a migraine headache in many people, or may worsen a headache. It may be best to avoid alcohol if you take Aimovig and fall into these categories. Continue reading

Aimovig (erenumab-aooe), a medicine used for migraine prevention, did not lead to hair loss (alopecia) during clinical trials submitted for FDA-approval. The most common side effects with Aimovig include injection site reactions and constipation, which can be serious. Cramps, muscle spasms, allergic reactions and high blood pressure have also been reported. Continue reading

The Aimovig autoinjector is a medical device that contains one prefilled dose of medicine in a spring-loaded syringe. You, or your caregiver, can learn to give this medicine at home. Many patients prefer an autoinjector over a syringe as they are easier to use and may cause less worry. Aimovig is a medicine used one time per month to help prevent migraine headaches. Continue reading

Aimovig (erenumab-aooe), a medicine used for migraine prevention, did not lead to hair loss (alopecia) during clinical trials submitted for FDA-approval. Alopecia has been reported as a possible side effect in post-marketing reports of Aimovig. Continue reading

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