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Most voted positive review

9 People found this comment helpful

Good news – works on migraines especially in conjunction with Botox. Reduced both severity and frequency . Bad news – weight gain (7 lbs) , constipation is an understatement , acid reflux due to the digestive tract coming to a screeching halt, chest pain- ink is only related to gastro difficulties at this time (stress test in two weeks). Miralax and protonix now needed on top of the 64 oz of water…

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Most voted negative review

7 People found this comment helpful

The autopen is very difficult to use. It takes many, many tries to get the pen to actually dispense the medication. It “clicks” each time you press the button but it doesn’t seem to work properly on each “click”. It bitterly took me 5 minutes to do one injection. My Husband is on Humira and their auto-pen works flawlessly every time. Why can’t Aimovig be this easy to inject?

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Overall rating 2.0

EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction

I am a chronic migraine sufferer (40+ years). The Aimovig injection is impossible to do, I have to get my doctor to give it to me. And absolutely have extreme constipation, insomnia & the worst is the very extreme dehydration throughout my body (skin, hair, lips). And the weight gain of over 30 pounds over the past 3 years. I thought these side effects were from another medication. Why do medications cause far more harm and terrible side effects than the original pains for which a person was searching relief? I am definitely not using this medication again!Read More Read Less

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Overall rating 3.0

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I found the medication worked well for my migraine but I was told only side effect was constipation which it definitely was but after 8 months I was feeling miserable. I had serious bladder issues which on investigation it was acutely inflamed. I had shoulder and neck pain going into chest. Originally I had pains going down my arms. I was retaining fluid and had insomnia. My hair was definitely thinning. I changed hair dresser twice thinking it was cut or dye or something. When I was so miserable I decided to look at reviews and some of these issues were mentioned so I stopped drug. Now 3 months out I am recovering slowly. My bladder is nearly better but still inflamed. I would never touch this drug again. I was worried what damage it did to me and would I ever recover like at 55 not being able to leave house because I needed the toilet so much on occasions. It got progressively worse all the time. Read More Read Less

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Overall rating 5.0

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I suffer severe migraines, complicated migraines. I was constantly craving caffeine and chocolate. I have taken literally a shot and 3 back up pills at once to manage migraines with no luck and would still get 2 a week on all i was taking. I fought insurance for over a year to get my Aimovig approved and it’s absolutely the only shot thar works for me. I do not Even get cravings anymore for chocolate or caffeine. And without those cravings I’m dropping back down to my smaller frame. I’m having less missed work days. I should send all my missed days of work to my insurance for not allowing me to have this medication for so long. This is the only migraine medication that works 100 percent for me. I wish it was affordable without insurance. My fear is losing having it again. Read More Read Less

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Overall rating 5.0

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Aimovig 70 was a life changer for me. A real miracle. I suffered from migraines every week, missing work , missing out on life. After the first injection I went immediately to 1-2 migraines every 6 months with a drastic reduction in severity. No more days sick in bed, no more recovery days and I have had no side effects. Unfortunately now my insurance has decided not to cover the medication for me. My Dr and I are fighting this with an appeal and etc. I cant face going back to my life the way it was before this medicine. Read More Read Less

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Overall rating 5.0

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Have tried many many medications over the past 27 years. This is the only medication that has kept me migraine free for three months!

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Overall rating 2.7

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Had my first injection a week ago. Had flu like muscle aches hours after injection, developed what I would term a baby migraine (meaning a migraine but slightly less severe than full blown) the next day, total insomnia the next two nights, and headache has not gone away since it started on day 2. I’ve had no constipation issues. I don’t believe this drug is going to work for me. Wish they were upfront about the possible side effects.

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Overall rating 4.7

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I had been using 70mg Aimovig monthly since 2019 up until March 2022. Had 10-15 migraines per month down to 1-2 every 6 months if that. Great drug, very minimal side effects. Constipation would be the biggest complaint. Sometimes injecting would be painful due to placement. (I’m a medical professional certified to give injections too)
Aimovig was a life saver, unfortunately insurance dropped from formulary. Trying what’s covered now
If you’re worried about trying this due to side effects like constipation, drink more water & add more fiber to your diet during the week after injection. Worked wonders for me, loved having my life back!!!Read More Read Less

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Overall rating 5.0

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I had been getting Botox for 6 years and wanted a break for a year with my migraines returning with a vengeance. i just tried this med and I’m VERY relieved that it has worked remarkably well for me. This will be my medication now for this crazy condition!

1

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Overall rating 5.0

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Complete game changer, I went from 9 to 10 migraines a month to only 2 Migraines in a 6 month period! Injections are easy, and zero side effects!

1

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Overall rating 4.7

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Reduces the frequency of my migraines, allowing me to live better.

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Overall rating 5.0

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Miracle drug, was having 10 to 12 migraines per month, now having maybe 1.

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Overall rating 2.7

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Cost puts it out of reach to seniors like me who need it
Cannot get your age selection to put in 68!

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Overall rating 2.0

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You guys, I’m highly allergic to latex and was prescribed this life killer. I just want to die to get relief. Extreme vertigo for a month straight, colitis, hair falling out, extreme gut/back pain, my vision is now horrible, I’m stuck in bed and cannot function. The migraines are so much worse now. I’ve been to the ER, stayed overnight in the hospital, given vials and vials of blood, had CT scans done of my gut and head and I can’t walk without holding onto the walls. I can’t do anything!! And it takes 5+ months to get it out of your system. I’d welcome death over this any day!! This should have never happened with latex allergies all over my charts. I’m ready to tap out after a month of this horrendous pain and vertigo. Read More Read Less

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Overall rating 1.0

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Aimovig is a terrible drug! A dangerous one! I took 1 injection 70mg October 15th it has caused my bowels to stop moving/working. I have not been able to eat any solid for for the last 10 days. My bowls were completely backed up and now have distended intestines. I used Miralax to evacuate and am on a liquid diet as I cannot pass any solid foods. I am not better but worse. I read that it takes 5 months for the drug to leave the body. Praying that I get my health back soon, I am very weak and very sick. It has also caused m insomnia and pain in my hips and legs. Do not risk your health, this drug has harmed a lot of users and is dangerous, please check drugs. com and other sites. Lots of bad reviews. Read More Read Less

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Overall rating 3.3

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Have chronic migraine daily. Get 70mg Aimovig for 14 months with good effect. Cut down to 6 days per month with only mild constipation and hair loss. My doc asks me to stop as a trial based on the protocol. Nightmares start. Return daily migraine and worsen. Try 140mg once with terrible attack nearly go to ER. No subsidy in the coming week. Anyone experience the same thing. Should I switch to other type.

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Overall rating 1. 7

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Took sample of Aimovig provided by my PCP ON 8/1/21. No reduction of migraines at all, in fact, more than prior month. Constipation issues and a kind of shallow breathing throughout and continuing to present. Would advise anyone considering taking it that, if you encounter side effects, please recognize that the medication may remain in your system for months, even though it’s effective treatment for migraines is only 30 days. Would not use another medicine of this kind (I.e. 30 day injection with potential to last in system longer) again.Read More Read Less

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Started taking Emgality 6 months ago. It helped with the migraines but eventually stopped working. I did have some side effects. Mostly GI & fatigue. Starting taking 140mg dose of Aimovig for 2 months. Increased migraines, GERD, anxiety, depression, insomnia, fatigue & extreme bouts of vertigo. This medication has robbed me of my happiness and left feeling helpless and scared. I pray it has not caused any permanent damage.

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Overall rating 5.0

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This drug has absolutely changed my life. I have gone from 25 headache days a month to 2 headache days a month. Not only that, but the severity of my headaches has dropped drastically. After suffering for 36 years, I feel like I’m finally living instead of surviving.

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This med gave me flu syndrome for 40 days so bad I really wished i would have died while on it. That is how awful it was. My pain specialist kept telling me it wasn’t the aimovig but my primary doc found no virus in me but i had all the symptoms 3 days after the shot.

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Overall rating 4.0

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This drug has reduced my migraines from 8-12 a month to 4-5 or less.

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The opinions expressed in WebMD User-generated content areas like communities, reviews, ratings, or blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. User-generated content areas are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions.

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Effectiveness, Ease of Use, and Satisfaction

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Most voted positive review

2 People found this comment helpful

Aimovig has been the migraine medication I have been waiting for! I would recommend any migraine sufferer to TRY it. After all, you will not know if it does/does not work for you if you do not try it. At first, I put off trying Aimovig because it is an injectable medication, but I wish I would have tried it sooner. The injectable pen is VERY easy to use, and I barely feel the needle prick. (H…

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SORT BY Condition: Migraine Prevention

Overall rating 5.0

EffectivenessEase of UseSatisfaction

I have had migraines since I was about 10, they’ve gotten worse through the years. I got to a point where I was having migraines at least 3-4 times a week every week. I’ve tried so many other medications and methods, and when Aimovig was suggested to me I was excited to try. This medication has been life changing, absolutely the most relief I’ve had with any medication I’ve ever tried. I can honestly say my migraines are rare now, getting them maybe once every two weeks. It’s absolutely amazing. It’s also made it so I can enjoy a glass of wine and I don’t get a blinding migraine or even a headache and that makes me really happy too. I also use to end up taking Sumatriptan every time I had a migraine because nothing would make it go away, but with Aimovig I can usually take ibuprofen or excederine and go to sleep and it goes away. Sometimes even just peppermint oil will make my headaches go away now. I also just had my second baby and stopped using the Aimovig while pregnant. Didn’t have migraines the whole time I was pregnant, and then as soon as I had her I’ve been having migraines 4 times a week again. Can’t wait to get back on it when I’m done nursing. This medication is seriously awesome for anyone whose suffering from chronic migraines. Also so easy to use and once a month. Read More Read Less

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I tell people all the time that Aimovig in combination with Botox LITERALLY saved my life because I was seriously contemplating suicide my quality of life was so bad. After a botched spinal tap caused a massive cerebral spinal fluid leak that couldn’t be repaired with an EBP back in March 2016, I was left with various debilitating types of headaches/migraines including, Daily Persistent Headache Syndrome/Refractory Headaches & Migraines, Hemiplegic Migraines, Cluster headaches, and Silent Ocular Migraines. I spent at least 4-7 days out of every month admitted inpatient to the hospital to get treatment for about the first 2 years after my medical injury. I lived in my bedroom with blackout curtains, sunglasses on 24/7 and sometimes even with ear plugs in, I couldn’t watch TV, Read, go outside during daylight hours and even struggled going to the grocery store at night bc i couldn’t handle the lighting… I wanted to die. After trying Botox a few times, I did notice some improvement but not nearly enough to have any decent quality of life. We added Aimovig in combination with Botox, Gabapentin, Vimpat, Propranolol, Zonisamide, Tizanidine, Promethazine, Toradol IM injections and Occipital Nerve Blocks. After 4-5 months, I finally started to get some relief. It’s now 5 years after my injury and my quality of life has improved SIGNIFICANTLY! I’m still disabled, unable to work and struggle with headaches of some degree daily but they’re much more tolerable now than compared to before. I am able to watch television, have my blinds open during the day and even leave my house to run errands on my own many days now! I know most people hate shots but I really love that this is a super simple once a month pen type injection so I have one less oral medication to take every day! It’s absolutely worth a try, it just may change your life! I have ZERO side effects??Read More Read Less

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Overall rating 4.3

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Aimovig has been the migraine medication I have been waiting for! I would recommend any migraine sufferer to TRY it. After all, you will not know if it does/does not work for you if you do not try it. At first, I put off trying Aimovig because it is an injectable medication, but I wish I would have tried it sooner. The injectable pen is VERY easy to use, and I barely feel the needle prick. (Hint: I found that if I pinch the injection site area hard enough, I do NOT feel the needle. The pinch is worse than the needle prick.) Although I still have migraines, they are not as severe. Meaning I would get a 3-4 day migraine, 4 times a month. Debilitating. I now have on the average a 1-2 day migraine, 1-2 times a month. As I said before, this is the migraine medication I have been waiting (18 years) for! Read More Read Less

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Overall rating 1.3

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after having migraines for years and trying EVERYTHING I thought maybe this would be the miracle cure. NOT! I had my doctor show me how to inject it. No side effects but no help at all in the headache dept. Took the next one, nothing. Let a month go by and tried it again. NOTHING not doing it again and its expensive my co pay is $170 disappointng

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“Aimovig” – salvation from migraine?

In May 2018, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Aimovig ( Aimovig , International Nonproprietary Name erenumab ), the first fully human antibody for the treatment of migraine. This medicine, developed jointly by the pharmaceutical companies Novartis and Amgen , has a fundamentally different mechanism of action than the drugs traditionally used in the treatment of migraine. Can iMovig significantly reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life of migraine sufferers? Let’s try to figure it out.

Special project on modern drugs, the history of their creation, development methods and development trends.

Special Project Partner Cytiva was formed from the sale of GE Healthcare Biopharma to Danaher Corporation . Cytiva is a global provider of technologies and services that advance and accelerate the development and production of therapeutics. The company has a rich heritage dating back hundreds of years. Clients Cytiva carry out life-saving activities ranging from basic biological research to the development of innovative vaccines, biologics and the latest cell and gene therapies. The company’s mission is to provide the tools and services they need to work better, faster and safer, leading to better outcomes for patients.

The first two articles of our special project “Modern Drugs” were devoted to general questions about how the drug industry has developed [1] and how scientists are looking for new drug targets [2]. This article opens a number of news items about interesting modern medicines.

How big is the problem?

Migraine is a neurological disease characterized primarily by severe attacks of headache, which has been known for more than 3000 years [3]. However, despite the good knowledge of the symptoms and manifestations, the causes of migraine have not been fully established so far. It was previously believed that migraine was caused by changes in cerebral circulation, but now many researchers suggest that this is not the main reason [4].

Current understanding of the pathogenesis of migraine is associated with the involvement of certain neural pathways and neuropeptides, in particular the trigeminal nerve and CGRP, a peptide associated with the calcitonin gene ( calcitonin gene-related peptide ). Studies have shown that excited nerve cells can activate the trigeminal nerve, leading to the release of CGRP and other neuropeptides. CGRP strongly vasodilates, causing local edema, and this attracts cells involved in the inflammation process. During inflammation of the vessels of the skull and dura mater, pro-inflammatory molecules stimulate the pain endings of the meninges, which leads to migraine (Fig. 1) [5–8].

This excitation of nerve cells, which triggers migraine, is associated with heredity and physiology, but today its causes are far from precisely determined [3]. It is only known that this process can be provoked by a variety of factors: from banal stress, fatigue and insufficient sleep to the current hormonal background, depression and medication [9].

Figure 1. Migraine pathogenesis

What happens during a migraine attack?

However, migraine is not only a headache: the symptoms of this serious disease are much more varied and often more painful. Debilitating migraine attacks can be excruciating and unbearable and sometimes last from several hours to several days, accompanied by nausea, vomiting and increased sensitivity to light, sound and smells [3], [10]. Such attacks make it impossible to think normally, live and work for millions of people around the world. It is believed that today every seventh inhabitant of the planet suffers from migraine, and in the ranking of the reasons that limit the ability to work, this disease took the second place in the world (according to 2016) [11], [12].

Not surprisingly, migraine was included by the World Health Organization in the list of diseases that most disrupt the social adaptation of patients [3].

Treatment of migraine today

Unfortunately, today there is no medicine that allows you to get rid of migraine once and for all. The drugs used can mainly reduce the intensity and number of attacks or reduce symptoms and alleviate the pain that has arisen. In this regard, therapy with such drugs is divided into two groups:

• Abortive (acute) therapy – to relieve or reduce symptoms of migraine that has already appeared.
• Prophylactic treatment – to reduce the intensity, duration or frequency of attacks.

In this article, we talk about drug treatment and prevention, but we leave behind the scenes a variety of non-pharmacological treatments for migraine: from relaxation techniques to cognitive behavioral therapy and transcranial electrical stimulation. Meanwhile, these methods in some cases can be an effective alternative to drugs in case of resistance or contraindications to drug therapy, and sometimes effectively complement it in the combined treatment of migraines [13].

Abortion therapy

Various analgesics and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are prescribed for the treatment of mild to moderate migraine, including the well-known paracetamol , acetylsalicylic acid and ibuprofen , sometimes in combination with caffeine , codeine or psychotropic substances in combination drugs [14], [15]. A significant drawback is the possible reverse effect with uncontrolled use of analgesics: aggravation of headache, which under such conditions can become daily [8], [15].

When dealing with more severe and prolonged attacks of migraine pain, the “heavy artillery” comes into play, namely ergot alkaloids and triptans. Triptans were the first drugs designed specifically for the treatment of migraine; they began to develop back in 1972. Even then it was known that ergot alkaloid ergotamine can reduce migraine attacks, which was associated with its vasoconstrictive effect [16]. This drug remained the only specific treatment for migraine until 19In 1991, a rational search did not finally lead to the emergence of sumatriptan , the first drug of a new class that acts in a manner similar to ergotamine, but is more effective and safer (Fig. 2) [16].

Unlike its famous derivative, LSD, ergotamine itself has no hallucinogenic properties.

Figure 2. Triptans, drugs used to relieve migraine, are selective serotonin receptor agonists. They bind to certain subtypes of such receptors (5HT _1B , 5HT _1D and 5HT _1F ) and activate them. This leads to inhibition of the release of neurotransmitters from the presynaptic membrane of the endings of the trigeminal nerve (shown in yellow ) located in the vessels of the head. At the same time, the release of the already mentioned CGRP, the key neurotransmitter that causes migraine, is also inhibited. This “neuronal” mechanism of action is believed to block the main pathological link in the development of migraine. It is also known that taking triptans selectively constricts the vessels of the dura mater, reduces the permeability of the vascular wall and reduces edema. One way or another, these drugs are effective – they reduce inflammation and pain, as well as the intensity of the accompanying symptoms of migraine [17]. Ergot alkaloids ergotamine and dihydroergotamine act in a similar way, although they are less selective – they can bind to dopamine and adrenergic receptors, which is why their effectiveness and safety are lower.

However, despite a good efficacy and safety profile, triptans could theoretically be dangerous for patients with coronary heart disease due to their vasoconstrictive effect, which hinders their widespread use as a therapy for migraine [16].

Preventive therapy

Medical prophylaxis is indicated when migraines are regular (more than 2-3 times a month), and it must be said that today such therapy is not entirely safe and effective: it is associated with significant side effects and the development of rapid tolerance to treatment ( tachyphylaxis) [14]. This uses several classes of drugs, originally developed for other indications, and so far with a largely unclear mechanism of action in migraine. Of these drugs, we can note: tricyclic antidepressants, antiepileptic drugs, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors and some others [14], [19].

By the way, you can read about many of the listed drugs, their direct indications, the history of their appearance and the mechanism of action in the first article of our series “ Three generations of drugs ” [1].

Targeted migraine therapy: a solution?

Since migraine is a chronic disease and the efficacy and safety of preventive drugs is poor, it is clear that there is an unmet need in this area; however, there are few new drugs specially developed for this indication [14].

Amgen and Novartis , which received approval in May 2018 for the use of targeted drug “Aimovig” (antibodies erenumab ) can boast of a breakthrough today for the prevention of migraine in adult patients [20]. It is the first fully human antibody to be marketed that has a preventive effect by binding to and blocking the CGRP receptor, which is thought to play a critical role in the development of migraine (Fig. 3).

Figure 3. Aimovig binds specifically to the CGRP receptor, preventing CGRP from binding to it. Binding of CGRP to its receptor into a molecular complex ( on the left in Figure ) leads to the transmission of migraine-associated pain signals. In people with migraine, CGRP levels are elevated during a pain attack and return to normal levels when the migraine pain subsides.

About Aimovig® (erenumab) in migraine prevention

Aimovig was approved after three series of clinical trials, the results of which, although somewhat different, were similar in one thing: the drug showed a significant reduction in the number of days with attacks and the overall duration of migraine pain . At the same time, in phase III trials in 50% of patients who took 140 mg of Aimovig, the number of painful days decreased compared to placebo by as much as half, and the safety and tolerability of the drug turned out to be quite similar to placebo [21], [22] . These results are very encouraging, and it is clear that although AImovig is not a panacea, its use will definitely make a difference in the lives of patients suffering from frequent and severe forms of migraine.

Aimovig and competitors

I must say that in the field of targeted anti-migraine therapy Novartis and Amgen already have serious competitors: Eli Lilly released Emgality , and Teva Pharmaceutical is Ajovy . These drugs are humanized monoclonal antibodies that target the ligand, not the CGRP receptor, and in this they differ from Aimovig, yielding to the latter also at least in tolerability. When applying Ajovy 43-45% of patients experienced pain, redness and itching at the injection site, when using Emgality – 18% of patients experienced similar symptoms, and “Aimovig” caused such reactions only in 5-6% of cases. At the same time, Aimovig is even more convenient to use, because of the three drugs listed, only it comes in the form of an autoinjector – a device that resembles an insulin syringe pen – which you need to use only once a month. These advantages, coupled with the fact that Aimovig became the first targeted drug for the treatment of migraine and immediately occupied an empty market niche, is likely to provide it with a bright financial future: according to experts, its market share in 2024 will be $ 2 billion, while the predicted shares of competitors are approximately half as much [20].

The success of Aimovig, apparently, cannot be hindered even by the extremely high price ($ 575 per month according to the price list Amgen – however, in the USA, many patients are covered by insurance), which, by the way, some experts consider unreasonable [eleven]. The company is also conducting research on Aimovig in Russia, but when the drug appears on the market, how much it will cost and who will pay for it is still unknown.

Conclusion

Migraine is a major problem today: this disease disrupts the ability to work and reduces the quality of life of a huge number of people around the world. At the same time, its treatment remains a difficult task: a long study of the disease and testing of many drugs and non-pharmacological treatments have not yet led to a victory over the disease. However, the emergence of modern targeted drugs on the market has already brought the treatment of many diseases to a completely new level [23], and therefore the creation of a targeted anti-migraine drug is definitely a step in the right direction.

“Aimovig” is already improving the treatment of migraine, but only time will tell whether future drugs will be able to permanently rid humanity of this chronic disease…

1. Three generations of drugs;
2. Search for drug targets;
3. Sanoeva M.Zh. and Saidvaliev F.S. (2016). Migraine – yesterday, today, tomorrow. Modern view of the problem. “International Neurological Journal” . 8 , 72–78;
4. How a migraine happens. Johns Hopkins Medicine ;
5. Migraine headaches. (2018). WebMD ;
6. Paul L. Durham. (2006). Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) and Migraine. Headache . 46 , S3-S8;
7. What to know about the new anti-CGRP migraine treatment options. (2018). American Migraine Foundation ;
8. Silberstein S.D. (2016). Migraine. MSD Manual ;
9. Migraine triggers: your personal checklist. (2019). WebMD ;
10. Rusakova E. (2018). The FDA has approved a drug to prevent migraines. N+1 ;
11. Kolata G. (2018). F.D.A. approves first drug designed to prevent migraines. The New York Times ;
12. Theo Vos, Amanuel Alemu Abajobir, Kalkidan Hassen Abate, Cristiana Abbafati, Kaja M Abbas, et. al. (2017). Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 328 diseases and injuries for 195 countries, 1990–2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016. The Lancet . 390 , 1211-1259;
13. Francesca Puledda, Kevin Shields. (2018). Non-Pharmacological Approaches for Migraine. Neurotherapeutics . 15 , 336-345;
14. Doodipala Samba Reddy. (2013). The pathophysiological and pharmacological basis of current drug treatment of migraine headache. Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology . 6 , 271-288;
15. Ogbru A. and Ogbru O. Prescription migraine medications. RxList ;
16. Boyce S., Ali Z., Hill R.G. (2001). New developments in analgesia. Drug Discovery World ;
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What is Aimovig? | Information and questions

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What is Aimovig? | Information & FAQ
367

Last updated: October 14, 2022

What is Aimovig?
How is Aimovig taken?
Are there any known side effects of Aimovig?
What other treatments are available for migraine?
How effective is erenumab (Aimovig) according to research?
How to use the new migraine shot (erenumab)?
How do these new blockers like erenumab (Aimovig) work?
Where was Aimovig approved?
Is Ubrelvy a drug?

If you suffer from a migraine and feel it is affecting your relationships, work and personal life, you are not alone. Migraine is the third most common disease in the world, affecting approximately one in seven people.

If you feel like you’ve tried every treatment option and nothing worked, you’re not alone either. Many migraine patients feel that painkillers and other migraine medications do not help, or they cannot take them for a long time.

What is Aimovig?

Aimovig (erenumab) is a migraine prophylactic that works by blocking the activity of calcitonin gene-related peptide, a molecule involved in migraine attacks ¹ .

Who is Aimovig for?

Aimovig is indicated for once-monthly prophylaxis in adults with episodic and chronic migraine attacks2.

How is Aimovig received?

Aimovig’s standard dosage instructions are:

• 70 mg given subcutaneously (under the skin) once a month
• Some patients may benefit from the 140 mg subcutaneous dose once a month given as two consecutive subcutaneous injections of Aimovig 70 mg each.

Aimovig is intended for self-administration by the patient.

For complete Aimovig dosage and usage information, please refer to the official prescribing information in our Resources section.

Note: Please consult your physician for individual dosing.

Are there any known side effects to Aimovig?

According to the prescribing information, the most common side effects of Aimovig occurring at a frequency of at least 3% listed in the prescribing information include2:

• Injection site reactions
• Request

For a complete list of side effects and adverse reactions, please contact your prescribing officer.

What other treatments are available for migraine?

Emgality vs Aimovig and Ajovy vs Aimovig

Aimovig acts on the CGRP receptor, while Ajovy and Emgality drugs act on the CGRP ligand to prevent migraines. The main difference is in dosage and application. Aimovig is given as a monthly 70 mg or 140 mg subcutaneous injection and is supplied as an auto-injector. Ajovy is given as a monthly 225 mg subcutaneous injection or a quarterly 675 mg injection and comes as a syringe with a small needle. Emgality is given as a loading dose of 2 injections of 120 mg followed by a monthly dose of 120 mg. Like Aimovig, Emgality comes as an auto-injector. Aimovig and Ajovy can be injected into the thigh, abdomen, or upper arm. Emgality has an additional injection site – the buttocks. All three drugs are intended for self-administration at home or with the help of a healthcare professional during a clinic visit. Needles should be disposed of in waste container ⁶ .

An alternative treatment is Vyepti, a CGRP receptor blocker given 4 times a year (every 3 months) intravenously (IV) by a trained healthcare professional in a clinical setting7.

How effective is erenumab (Aimovig) according to research?

After 3 months, people taking erenumab (Aimovig) experienced an average of 6-7 days less monthly migraines1 After 6 months, people taking erenumab (Aimovig) experienced an average of 3-4 days fewer monthly migraines1.

Placebo

Aimovig 70 mg

Aimovig 140 mg

*. Aimovig™ (erenumab-aooe) prescribing information, Amgen. ** Goadsby PJ, Reuter U, Hallström Y, et al. A controlled trial of erenumab for episodic migraine. N Engl J Med. 2017;377(22):2123-2132. *** Safety and efficacy of erenumab for the preventive treatment of chronic migraine: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial by Tepper, Stewart et al. The Lancet Neurology, Volume 16, Issue 6, 425-434

How to use the new migraine injection (erenumab)*?

Erenumab (Aimovig) comes in a simple SureClick2 autoinjector. To do this, press the autoinjector onto the skin and press button2. (This injection may be comparable to using an insulin auto-injector.) Aimovig is available in two strengths, 70mg and 140mg, both strengths are available as a single injection2. This information is not meant to be a guide to taking erenumab (Aimovig). Before using erenumab (Aimovig), read the full prescribing information and instructions for use.

How do these new blockers like erenumab (Aimovig) work?

Studies show that during migraines there is an increase in calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGP), which is believed to play a role in what causes migraines and how they feel7. The active ingredient erenumab (Aimovig) blocks the CGRP7 receptor. It is believed that By blocking CGRP and its receptors, drugs such as erenumab (Aimovig) reduce the frequency of migraine7.

Where was Aimovig approved?

Aimovig has been approved for the treatment of migraine patients:

• Food and Drug Administration (FDA), USA May 17, 2018
• Therapeutic Drug Administration (TGA), Australia, July 2, 2018
• Swissmedic, Switzerland, July 13, 2018
• European Medicines Agency (EMA), European Union, 26 July 2018, indicated for treatment in adults with 4 or more days of migraine per month.
• Health Canada, Canada, August 1, 2018, prescribed for adults with 4 or more days of migraine per month.
• Medsaf, New Zealand, January 16, 2020.

Please note that Aimovig approval may be obtained in other regions than those listed by us.

If Aimovig is not available in your country, you may be able to purchase it from everybody.org. You can do this by making a request from our Aimovig page.

Links

1. FDA News Release: FDA Approves New Preventive Treatment for Migraine, www.fda.gov, May 2018.

2. Summary of Product Characteristics [FDA]: AIMOVIGTM (erenumab) [PDF],
Amgen, March 2019.

3. Summary of Product Characteristics [FDA]: AIMOVIGTM (erenumab) [PDF],
Amgen, May 2018

4. GRP as a target for new migraine therapy.
Edwinson L. et al. Nature Reviews of Neurology. 04/24/2018; vol 14: 338-350.

5. New Zealand data sheet (Medsafe): AIMOVIGTM (erenumab) [PDF],
Novartis, January 2020

6.