{"id":627216,"date":"2024-03-08T15:43:02","date_gmt":"2024-03-08T20:43:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=627216"},"modified":"2024-10-25T10:04:14","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T14:04:14","slug":"aimovig-alternatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/aimovig-alternatives\/","title":{"rendered":"Aimovig alternatives: What can I take instead of Aimovig?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Aimovig<\/span><\/a> is an injectable drug approved to help prevent migraine headaches. It is a <\/span>monoclonal antibody<\/span><\/a> that belongs to a class of drugs known as calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonists (CGRP). Aimovig is a once-monthly injection made by the manufacturer, Amgen. It is provided in an autoinjector device designed to be self-administered as a subcutaneous injection in the upper arm, abdomen, or thigh. Aimovig has been shown to significantly decrease the occurrence of migraines in patients who experience episodic or chronic migraines. There is no generic version of this medication.<\/span><\/p>\n

CGRP receptor antagonists<\/span><\/a> have been a welcomed addition to the treatment options for migraine sufferers. Approximately <\/span>12% of the population suffers from migraines<\/span><\/a>, and they are more common in women. Migraines negatively affect activities of daily living and are not just limited to pain in the head. Nausea, light sensitivity, and sound sensitivity typically accompany migraines. For many, migraines are a chronic condition with symptoms that present 15 or more migraine days each month. <\/span><\/p>\n

CGRP is a peptide whose concentrations go up during migraine attacks. For chronic sufferers, CGRP is believed to remain elevated. CGRP is responsible for pain signal transmission and also plays a role in vasodilation, two key components of migraines. Aimovig works by binding to the CGRP receptor and blocking the effects of CGRP. This reduces pain transmission and reverses vasodilation. Aimovig is only approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the prophylaxis (prevention) of migraines. Other CGRP antagonists may be FDA-approved for both prevention and treatment. Aimovig is not a first-line treatment for migraines. CGRP antagonists are appropriate only once other treatment options have been proven ineffective. Aimovig can cause some <\/span>side effects<\/span><\/a>, which may not be desirable. Constipation was the most frequently reported adverse event in initial clinical trials, and in some cases, it was severe. Other side effects included muscle cramps, muscle spasms, and musculoskeletal pain. Hypersensitivity or allergic reactions to erenumab, as well as injection site reactions, may also occur.<\/span><\/p>\n

Aimovig may not be the right choice for all migraine patients. Factors such as the efficacy of other treatments, side effects, cost, and <\/span>insurance coverage<\/span><\/a> may lead you to look for alternative options to Aimovig. Luckily, there are other options for prevention or treatment of migraines.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>What is migraine? Your guide to talking about the condition<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

What can I take in place of Aimovig?<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are a variety of approaches to migraine therapy and preventative treatment. Aimovig is specifically approved for the prevention of migraines. Other drug classes that have been used for prevention successfully include beta blockers, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, calcium channel blockers, and other CGRP antagonists. If you need treatment options for migraines once they occur, other drugs are more appropriate than Aimovig. These can include over-the-counter pain relievers, nonsteroidal antiinflammatories, triptans, or CGRP antagonists approved for treatment. Listed below are some alternatives to Aimovig. This is not intended to be medical advice, but it is intended to be informative and provide some options you can discuss with your healthcare provider.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Compare Aimovig alternatives<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Drug name<\/span><\/td>\nUses<\/span><\/td>\nDosage<\/span><\/td>\nSavings options<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Aimovig <\/span><\/td>\nMigraine prophylaxis<\/span><\/td>\n70 mg or 140 mg injected once monthly<\/span><\/td>\nAimovig coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vyepti (eptinezumab)<\/span><\/td>\nMigraine prophylaxis<\/span><\/td>\n100 mg or 300 mg injected every 3 months<\/span><\/td>\nVyepti coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ajovy (fremanezumab)<\/span><\/td>\nMigraine prophylaxis<\/span><\/td>\n225 mg injected once monthly or 675 mg injected every 3 months<\/span><\/td>\nAjovy coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Emgality (galcanezumab)<\/span><\/td>\nMigraine prophylaxis, cluster headache<\/span><\/td>\n240 mg as a loading dose, then 120 mg injected once monthly<\/span><\/td>\nEmgality coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Toprol XL (metoprolol)<\/span><\/td>\nAngina, hypertension, heart failure, myocardial infarction, migraine prophylaxis (off-label)<\/span><\/td>\n50 mg to 200 mg by mouth once daily<\/span><\/td>\nToprol XL coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Inderal LA (propranolol)<\/span><\/td>\nAngina, atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), hypertension, myocardial infarction, migraine prophylaxis (off-label)<\/span><\/td>\n80 mg to 240 mg by mouth once daily<\/span><\/td>\nInderal LA coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Elavil (amitriptyline)<\/span><\/td>\nDepression, migraine prophylaxis (off-label)<\/span><\/td>\n25 mg to 100 mg by mouth once daily<\/span><\/td>\nElavil coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Effexor XR (venlafaxine)<\/span><\/td>\nDepression, anxiety, panic disorder, migraine prophylaxis (off-label)<\/span><\/td>\n37.5 mg to 150 mg by mouth once daily<\/span><\/td>\nEffexor XR coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Topamax (topiramate)<\/span><\/td>\nSeizure disorders, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, migraine prophylaxis<\/span><\/td>\n50 mg by mouth twice daily<\/span><\/td>\nTopamax coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Verelan (verapamil)<\/span><\/td>\nAngina, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, migraine prophylaxis (off-label)<\/span><\/td>\n80 mg by mouth three to four times daily<\/span><\/td>\nVerelan coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Motrin (ibuprofen)<\/span><\/td>\nPain, arthritis, dysmenorrhea, fever, migraine treatment<\/span><\/td>\n200 mg to 400 mg as a single oral dose<\/span><\/td>\nMotrin coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cambia (diclofenac)<\/span><\/td>\nAcute migraine treatment<\/span><\/td>\n50 mg by mouth as a single dose<\/span><\/td>\nCambia coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Imitrex (sumatriptan)<\/span><\/td>\nAcute migraine treatment, cluster headaches<\/span><\/td>\nUp to 100 mg as a single dose orally (max of 200 mg per day)<\/span><\/td>\nImitrex coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zomig (zolmitriptan)<\/span><\/td>\nAcute migraine treatment, menstrual migraine prophylaxis (off-label)<\/span><\/td>\nUp to 5 mg as a single dose orally (max of 10 mg per day)<\/span><\/td>\nZomig coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Other alternatives to Aimovig<\/span><\/h3>\n