Aimovig generic
Aimovig is not available in a generic form. It only comes as a brand-name medication.
Aimovig contains the drug erenumab, which is also called erenumab-aooe. The ending “-aooe” is sometimes added to show that the medication is different from similar medications that could be created in the future. Other monoclonal antibody drugs also have name formats like this.
Aimovig side effects
Aimovig can cause mild or serious side effects. The following list contains some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Aimovig. This list does not include all possible side effects.
For more information on the possible side effects of Aimovig, or tips on how to deal with a troubling side effect, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs they have approved. If you would like to report to the FDA a side effect you’ve had with Aimovig, you can do so through MedWatch.
More common side effects
The more common side effects of Aimovig can include:
- injection site reactions (redness, itchy skin, pain)
- constipation
- muscle cramps
- muscle spasms
Most of these side effects may go away after a few days or a couple of weeks. Call your doctor or pharmacist if you have more severe side effects or effects that don’t go away.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects from Aimovig can occur, but they aren’t common. The main serious side effect of Aimovig is a severe allergic reaction. See below for details.
Allergic reaction
Some people have an allergic reaction after taking Aimovig. This kind of reaction is possible with most medications. Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction might include:
- having a rash on your skin
- feeling itchy
- being flushed (having warmth and redness in your skin)
Rarely, more severe allergic reactions can occur. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction might include:
- having swelling under your skin (typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet)
- feeling short of breath or having trouble breathing
- having swelling in your tongue, mouth, or throat
Call your doctor right away if you think you are having a severe allergic reaction to Aimovig. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you’re having a medical emergency.
Weight loss/weight gain
Weight loss and weight gain were not reported in clinical studies of Aimovig. However, some people may see changes in their weight during Aimovig treatment. This may be due to migraine itself rather than to Aimovig.
Some people may not feel hungry before, during, or after a migraine headache. If this occurs often enough, it can lead to unwanted weight loss. If you lose your appetite when you have a migraine headache, work with your doctor to develop a diet plan that makes sure you get all of the nutrients you need.
On the other end of the spectrum, weight gain or obesity are common in people with migraine. And clinical studies have shown that obesity may be a risk factor for worsened migraine headaches or more frequent migraine headaches.
If you’re concerned about how your weight is affecting your migraine headaches, talk with your doctor about ways to manage your weight.
Long-term effects
Aimovig is a recently approved medication in a new class of drugs. As a result, there is very little long-term research available on Aimovig’s safety, and little is known about its long-term effects.
In one long-term safety study that lasted around three years, the most common side effects reported with Aimovig were:
- back pain
- upper respiratory infections (such as the common cold or a sinus infection)
- flu-like symptoms
If you have these side effects and they’re serious or don’t go away, talk with your doctor.
Constipation
Constipation occurred in up to 3 percent of people who took Aimovig in clinical studies.
This side effect may be due to how Aimovig affects calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in your body. CGRP is a protein that can be found in the intestines and plays a role in the normal movement of the bowels. Aimovig blocks activity of CGRP, and this action can prevent normal bowel movements from happening.
If you experience constipation during treatment with Aimovig, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about remedies that may help relieve it.
Hair loss
Hair loss is not a side effect that’s been linked with Aimovig. If you find that you’re losing hair, talk with your doctor about potential causes and treatments.
Nausea
Nausea is not a side effect that’s been reported with Aimovig use. However, many people with migraine may feel nauseous during a migraine headache.
If you feel nauseous during migraine headaches, it may help to stay in a dark, quiet room, or to go outside for fresh air. You can also ask your doctor or pharmacist about medications that can help prevent or treat nausea.
Fatigue
Fatigue (lack of energy) is not a side effect that’s been linked with Aimovig. But feeling tired is a common symptom of migraine that many people feel before, during, or after a migraine headache occurs.
One clinical study showed that people with migraine who have more intense headaches were more likely to feel fatigue.
If you’re bothered by fatigue, talk with your doctor about ways to improve your energy levels.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is not a side effect that’s been reported with use of Aimovig. However, it is a rare symptom of migraine. There may even be a link between migraine and inflammatory bowel disease and other gastrointestinal disorders.
If you have diarrhea that lasts longer than a few days, talk with your doctor.
Insomnia
Insomnia (trouble sleeping) is not a side effect that’s been found in clinical studies of Aimovig. However, one clinical study found that people with migraine who have insomnia tend to have more frequent migraine headaches. In fact, lack of sleep may be a trigger for migraine headaches and increase the risk of developing chronic migraine.
If you have insomnia and think it might be affecting your migraine headaches, talk with your doctor about ways to get better sleep.
Muscle pain
In clinical studies, people who received Aimovig did not experience general muscle pain. Some did have muscle cramps and spasms, and in a long-term safety study, people taking Aimovig experienced back pain.
If you have muscle pain while taking Aimovig, it may be due to other causes. For instance, muscle pain in the neck can be a symptom of migraine for some people. Also, injection site reactions, including pain in the area around the injection, may feel like muscle pain. This type of pain should go away within a few days of the injection.
If you have muscle pain that doesn’t go away or is affecting your quality of life, talk with your doctor about pain relief options.
Itching
General itchiness is not a side effect that was seen in clinical studies of Aimovig. However, itchy skin in the area where Aimovig is injected is commonly reported.
Itchy skin near the injection site should go away within a few days. If you have itchiness that doesn’t go away, or if the itchiness is severe, talk with your doctor.
