Aimovig
Aimovig (erenumab or erenumab-aooe) is a migraine medication called a CGRP antagonist. It helps prevent migraines in adults. Aimovig (erenumab) comes as an autoinjector and prefilled syringe. You inject each dose under the skin in the thigh or stomach once a month. Side effects can include pain, swelling, or redness where you injected the medication.
What is Aimovig (erenumab)?
What is Aimovig (erenumab) used for?
- Prevention of migraines in adults
How Aimovig (erenumab) works
Aimovig (erenumab) is a type of monoclonal antibody. More specifically, it works as a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antagonist. It blocks CGRP, a protein in the brain that plays a role in causing migraine pain and symptoms.
By blocking CGRP, Aimovig (erenumab) might help prevent migraines from happening.
Drug facts
More on Aimovig (erenumab) essentials
Side effects of Aimovig (erenumab)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site (up to 6%)
- Constipation (up to 3%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Muscle cramps or spasms
- Skin rash
- Hair loss
Aimovig (erenumab) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious allergic reaction: hives, itching, swelling of face or tongue, trouble breathing
More on Aimovig (erenumab) side effects
The following Aimovig (erenumab) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions or angioedema—skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs, trouble swallowing or breathing
- Constipation, bloating, nausea or vomiting, stomach pain, which may be signs of slow movement through the digestive tract
- Increase in blood pressure
- Raynaud syndrome—cool, numb, or painful fingers or toes that may change color from pale, to blue, to red
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Constipation
- Muscle pain or cramps
- Muscle spasms
- Pain, redness, or irritation at injection site
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Pros and cons of Aimovig (erenumab)
Pros
- Taken only once a month to help prevent migraines
- Available as a prefilled syringe and a prefilled autoinjector
Cons
- Must give as an injection under the skin
- Not approved for children
Pharmacist tips for Aimovig (erenumab)
- Inject Aimovig (erenumab) once a month. To help you remember, put reminders on your calendar or phone for each injection.
- If you miss a dose and forget to inject Aimovig (erenumab), inject the medication as soon as you remember. Your next injection will be one month from then.
- The area where you injected Aimovig (erenumab) might get red, swollen, or sore. This usually goes away within a few days. In the meantime, you can try warm or cold compresses over the injection site for relief. But if these reactions get worse or don't go away, tell your care team.
- If you're pregnant, thinking of getting pregnant, or breastfeeding, talk to your prescriber. They can help you understand the risks and benefits of using Aimovig (erenumab). We don't fully know yet how safe it is during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
How to use Aimovig (erenumab)
- Your healthcare team will show you how to inject Aimovig (erenumab). They'll make sure that you can do it on your own. Read the instructions for how to use the 70 mg/mL autoinjector, 140 mg/mL autoinjector, or prefilled syringes. Ask your pharmacist or prescriber if you have questions.
- How to store Aimovig (erenumab): Store the medication in the refrigerator, but don't freeze it. If needed, you can keep it at room temperature (up to 77ºF) for up to 7 days. This might be helpful when traveling. Don't put the medication back in the fridge after it reaches room temperature. Throw it away if it's been out for more than 7 days. Keep Aimovig (erenumab) in the original container to protect it from light.
- Before you inject Aimovig (erenumab): Take the medication out of the refrigerator and place it on a flat surface. Wait 30 minutes to let it come to room temperature. Don't shake it or warm it up any other way since this can damage the medication. Wash your hands well with soap and warm water. Clean the area where you'll inject into with an alcohol swab.
- Where to inject Aimovig (erenumab): Inject under the skin into the fatty tissue on your thigh or stomach (at least 2 inches away from your belly button). For the prefilled syringes, someone can also help inject at the back of your upper arm. Avoid tender, bruised, red, hard, raised, thick, or scaly areas. Also don't inject into scars or stretch marks.
- How to throw away Aimovig (erenumab): Each autoinjector and syringe is only for one dose. Place used ones into a sharps container. You can also use a strong plastic container, like an empty milk jug or laundry detergent bottle. Don't throw them away in the regular trash. This helps keep you and others safe from needle injuries.
More on Aimovig (erenumab) tips
Common questions about Aimovig (erenumab)
In studies, some people had fewer migraines after one month of taking Aimovig (erenumab). But keep taking the medication even if you don't feel a big change at first. It can take a few months to get the full benefits. In fact, the American Headache Society says to try Aimovig (erenumab) for at least 3 months to see how well it works. After 3 months, talk to your prescriber about how it's helping with how many migraines you get.
In studies, people didn't report gaining weight while taking Aimovig (erenumab). If you notice any unusual weight changes while taking this medication, talk to your primary care provider. They can check to see if there's something going on.
If needed, you can keep Aimovig (erenumab) at room temperature (up to 77ºF) for up to 7 days. Don't put it back into the fridge once it's at room temperature. If you don't use the medication within 7 days, throw it away in a sharps container and use a new one for your injection. That's why it's best to keep Aimovig (erenumab) in the fridge until you're ready to use it. This helps it last longer (up to the expiration date).
Talk to your prescriber if you need to take Aimovig (erenumab) early. The manufacturer doesn't give guidance on this. But it's probably safe to take it a few days early if you need to just for one time. Don't make taking the medication a few days early a routine or habit, though. Taking your injections too close together can raise your risk of side effects. If the day you picked for your injection no longer works for you, ask your prescriber how to safely change your schedule.
It takes about 5 months for most of Aimovig (erenumab) to leave your body after you take one dose. This time frame is estimated based on the half-life of the medication. Even though it can last in the body for a long time, it's important to still inject Aimovig (erenumab) once a month. This keeps the medication levels in the body stable so it can work as best as it can to prevent migraines. Talk to your healthcare team if you have questions about how long the medication stays in your body.
The most common side effect of Aimovig (erenumab) is usually injection site reactions. This can include pain, redness, and irritation where you gave the injection. In general, these reactions usually go away on their own within a few days. But to help relieve these symptoms, you can use warm compresses or ice packs against the area. Let your care team know if injection site reactions get worse or don't go away.
Aimovig (erenumab) is given as an injection under the skin. So the spot where you injected it could be sore afterwards. In general, pain at the injection site isn't too common. In studies, up to 6% of people taking Aimovig (erenumab) had either pain or redness at the injection site. Try using an ice pack wrapped in a towel to help ease the pain. Talk to your prescriber if the injection is hurting too much. They might talk to you about switching you to a migraine medication that you can take by mouth.
If your prescriber says it's okay, you can take Aimovig (erenumab) and topiramate (Topamax) together to help prevent migraines. They don't interact, so they won't affect how well each other works. Usually, your prescriber will have you try one medication first. If you still need help, they might add a second one. Talk to your prescriber to see if taking both is right for you.
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Risks and warnings for Aimovig (erenumab)
Aimovig (erenumab) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Allergic reactions
It's possible to have an allergic reaction to Aimovig (erenumab). Most times, the reaction is mild. It usually happens within hours after taking the medication. But it can also show up more than a week later.
Allergic reactions can look like an itchy skin rash. More serious reactions include swelling of the face and throat, trouble breathing, and anaphylaxis. If this happens, stop taking Aimovig (erenumab) and get medical help right away.
Constipation with serious complications
- Risk factors: Taking other medications that make constipation worse
Constipation can be a side effect of Aimovig (erenumab). In studies, most cases of constipation happened after the first dose but it can also happen later.
Some people had serious problems from constipation. Sometimes, they needed to go to the hospital or have surgery. The risk of severe constipation might be higher if you take other medications that also cause constipation.
Call your care team if your constipation gets severe while taking Aimovig (erenumab).
High blood pressure
- Risk factors: History of high blood pressure
Aimovig (erenumab) can raise your blood pressure. This can happen at any time. But most cases happen after the first dose and within a week of taking the medication.
Some people might be more likely to get high blood pressure with Aimovig (erenumab). This includes people who already have high blood pressure and people who are at risk for it.
Ask your prescriber if you should check your blood pressure while taking Aimovig (erenumab). If it stays higher than usual, tell your care team. Your prescriber can see if you need blood pressure medication. They might also suggest a different migraine medication.
Raynaud's phenomenon
- Risk factors: History of Raynaud's phenomenon
Some people taking CGRP antagonists like Aimovig (erenumab) have had Raynaud's phenomenon. This is a problem with blood flow in the fingers and toes. If you already have this problem, it could get worse while taking this medication.
Depending on how well blood is flowing, your fingers and toes can look pale or red and feel cold, numb, or painful. Sometimes, the pain can be so severe that it needs hospital care or makes everyday life harder.
Stop taking Aimovig (erenumab) and talk to your prescriber if you have numbness or pain in your fingers or toes. Your care team can help you manage this problem. Tell them if symptoms don't go away.
Aimovig (erenumab) dosage
Typical dosage for Aimovig (erenumab)
The typical dose is 70 mg injected under the skin once a month.
Your prescriber might raise your dose to 140 mg once a month depending on how well the medication works for you.
More on Aimovig (erenumab) dosage
How much does Aimovig (erenumab) cost?
$690.00
What are alternatives to Aimovig (erenumab)?
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