Does Ajovy cause weight loss?

In this article:

• Ajovy weight loss
• Tips for weight management
• Alternatives
• The bottom line

In this article

• Ajovy weight loss
• Tips for weight management
• Alternatives
• The bottom line

Ajovy (fremanezumab-vfrm) is an FDA approved migraine prevention treatment for adults. Manufactured by Teva Pharmaceuticals, the brand-name calcitonin gene-related peptide inhibitor (CGRP inhibitor) is a monoclonal antibody that prevents headache pain from chronic or episodic migraine. It comes in a prefilled autoinjector pen administered by subcutaneous injection into the stomach, upper thighs, or back of the upper arms either once per month or once every three months. Weight loss is not a known side effect of Ajovy.

Does Ajovy cause weight loss?

Weight loss is not a possible side effect of Ajovy, according to Lauren R. Natbony, MD, the Medical Director of Integrative Headache Medicine of New York and Assistant Clinical Professor of Neurology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. According to the prescribing information, the most common side effects are injection site reactions—including skin rash, itchy skin, and hives—after administering the dose of Ajovy from the prefilled syringe. Serious side effects include allergic reactions.

If someone does notice weight loss after starting Ajovy, there are a few possible causes. Dr. Natbony says that in some situations, people taking CGRP inhibitors “may experience digestive changes, such as nausea or constipation.” These adverse effects could theoretically reduce food intake and contribute to weight loss.

Dr. Natbony says another possible cause of gradual weight loss after starting a migraine treatment is that better migraine control might enable people to become more physically active.

Anyone experiencing rapid weight loss after starting Ajovy treatment should consult their healthcare provider. A healthcare professional can help rule out other medications or medical conditions causing weight gain or loss and discuss possible supplement or drug interactions.

Tips for managing your weight on Ajovy

Ajovy doesn’t cause weight loss, but there is a connection between migraine disorder and body weight. Obesity is a risk factor for migraine, according to the American Migraine Foundation. Maintaining a healthy weight while on a migraine medication like Ajovy is one more step toward reducing the frequency of migraine days.

Below, Sheetal DeCaria, MD, a double board-certified integrative pain physician and founder of Revitalize Medical Center, and Violeta Morris, RDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist in Columbus, OH, offer tips for managing weight while treating migraine disorder.

Consider a special diet

“Research supports that both ketogenic and low-calorie diets—1200 to 1500 [calories] per day—can significantly reduce the frequency of headaches,” says Morris. That’s good news for people trying to prevent migraine headaches and for those trying to manage their weight while on Ajovy or other migraine medications.

Exercise regularly

Physical activity burns calories, which can lead to weight loss for people who are overweight or with obesity. Exercising 30 to 60 minutes per day, three to four days per week, has been shown to reduce migraine headaches, says Dr. DeCaria.

Avoid migraine food triggers

Dietary migraine triggers can lead to nausea, which can impact your ability to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet, says Dr. DeCaria. By avoiding migraine triggers while on Ajovy, you can reduce the risk of migraine headaches while also sticking to a healthy diet.

According to Dr. DeCaria, these are common migraine triggers to consider avoiding on Ajovy:

• Chocolate
• Cheese
• Processed meats
• Alcohol (“Especially wine and beer,” she says.)
• MSG
• Artificial sweeteners
• Wheat
• Eggs
• Corn
• Sugar

If you’re not sure which foods cause or worsen your migraine attacks, Dr. DeCaria suggests trying an elimination diet to identify which foods are most likely to trigger headaches or nausea.

Try ginger for migraine nausea

Ginger ale is a popular home remedy for nausea, but it is also a sugary soda drink with lots of extra calories. According to Morris, fresh ginger is a great, weight-loss-friendly alternative for migraine-induced nausea.

“Ginger is a low-calorie food: a teaspoon of fresh ginger contains about two calories, and a quarter-cup of sliced fresh ginger has about 24 calories,” she says. “There’s no need to worry about overconsuming ginger for a short period to help manage your nausea.”

Alternatives to Ajovy

There is no one-size-fits-all drug for the treatment of migraine. Some people get pain relief from over-the-counter options like NSAIDs and acetaminophen or prescription drugs such as triptans. Others require preventive medications like Ajovy. Which drug is the most tolerated depends on the person.

When it comes to migraine prevention, Ajovy is not the only option. “If weight changes are a concern, switching to Emgality or Vyepti may be a better option, as these medications work similarly to Ajovy but have potentially different side effect profiles,” says Dr. Natbony. “Gepants, such as Nurtec and Qulipta, are also good alternatives. They offer an oral option with generally few side effects.” Aimovig (erenumab-aooe) is also a common migraine medication.

Additionally, Dr. Natbony says that people with chronic migraine might benefit from Botox, which “is not systemically absorbed” and thus “carries a lower risk of widespread side effects.”

The bottom line

Ajovy is not known to cause weight loss. Some people might experience weight loss on Ajovy because gastrointestinal side effects keep them from enjoying food as much as they usually do. Others might experience weight loss on Ajovy because relief from migraine headaches allows them to be more physically active.

Anyone concerned about weight changes while on Ajovy should get medical advice from their healthcare provider. Many migraine treatments are available these days, and a prescriber who knows your medical history and health goals can guide you on the best treatment plan.