Has your doctor prescribed erenumab to help you have fewer migraines? Here are five key things you should know about this drug, a newermedication designed to prevent migraines in adults.
Erenumab (Aimovig) Is an Injectable Drug
The FDA approved erenumab in 2018 as a preventative treatment for chronic and episodic migraine in adults. You may also see it called erenumab-aooe. It’s an injectable medication you take once a month, on the same day each month. It’s for people who’ve tried at least two other preventive drugs for migraines but did not get enough relief.
Erenumab is a clear, colorless-to-light-yellow liquid that comes packaged in these single doses:
- A 70-mg/mL prefilled autoinjector
- A 140-mg/mL prefilled autoinjector
- A 70-mg/mL prefilled syringe
Erenumab (Aimovig) May Cause High Blood Pressure
It’s rare, but this medication can sometimes cause high blood pressure or make it worse. If you know you have high blood pressure, talk to your doctor before you take erenumab.
High blood pressure rarely causes symptoms. That’s why you should measure it regularly or have it taken at your doctor’s office. When symptoms do happen, they can include:
- Chest pain
- Irregular heartbeat (too fast or too slow)
- Nosebleeds
- Vision changes
- Fatigue
- Upset stomach
- Vomiting
- Confusion
Call 911 if you have any of these symptoms while taking the medication.
Erenumab (Aimovig) Is Not Right for Everyone
You shouldn’t take erenumab if you’re allergic to it or any of its ingredients.
There’s not much information about how erenumab might affect you if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor before taking the drug if you are pregnant or plan to start a family soon.
Studies of erenumab have mostly included adults between 18 and 65. Doctors don’t know if the drug is safe for children. If you’re over 65, your doctor will consider all your health conditions before prescribing this drug for you. If it’s safe for you, they may decide to start you with a low dose.
You Should Learn How to Inject Yourself With Erenumab (Aimovig)
Erenumab is packaged in a single-dose prefilled auto-injector or syringe. It’s injected under the skin into your stomach, thigh, or upper arm. You can give yourself a shot, or it can be given by a friend, family member, or health care provider.
Let erenumab sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before you take the injection. Don’t use the medication if the liquid is cloudy, discolored, or has flakes or small bits in it.
Here are the basic steps for use of the autoinjector:
- Clean the injection site with an alcohol wipe.
- Pull the white cap off.
- Stretch or pinch the skin around the injection site.
- Place the green safety guard on your skin at a 90-degree angle.
- Push the autoinjector down onto the skin until it stops moving.
- Press the purple start button. You’ll hear a click to confirm the medication has been released. Keep pushing down on your skin.
- Lift your thumb from the button (while still holding the injector on your skin).
- Discard the used autoinjector.
Erenumab (Aimovig) Works Well for Some People
Recent studies have looked at “real-world” use of the drug. These studies show how well erenumab works for people with migraines who aren’t part of a clinical trial. A 2022 study found that more than 71% of people taking the drug for 9 to 12 weeks had about one-third fewer migraines per month.
Another study found erenumab may help stave off migraines when other drugs haven’t worked. People in this study had tried up to four different drugs to prevent migraines without good results. But erenumab cut headaches days in half for these people with difficult-to-treat migraines.
