{"id":630105,"date":"2024-10-15T15:27:40","date_gmt":"2024-10-15T19:27:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=630105"},"modified":"2024-10-25T09:41:27","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T13:41:27","slug":"aimovig-and-breastfeeding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/aimovig-and-breastfeeding\/","title":{"rendered":"Can you use Aimovig while breastfeeding?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Aimovig<\/span><\/a> (erenumab) is a brand-name medication that’s <\/span>approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)<\/span><\/a> to help prevent migraine. It’s given once a month by subcutaneous (under the skin) self-injection. Aimovig belongs to a class of medications called <\/span>calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor (CGRP) inhibitors<\/span><\/a>. It<\/span> works by<\/span><\/a> blocking the action of substances in the body that cause migraine headaches.<\/span><\/p>\n

Migraine headaches and <\/span>chronic migraine<\/span><\/a> can be debilitating conditions. People who live with migraine rely on medication to prevent migraine attacks from interfering with their quality of life. But what happens when you become a parent? Many parents specifically want to know if you can use Aimovig while breastfeeding.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here, we’ll take a close look at Aimovig and breastfeeding, including what the experts say, what possible risks may be, and alternative migraine treatments. <\/span><\/p>\n

Can you use Aimovig while breastfeeding?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Unfortunately, there simply <\/span>isn’t robust data on the safety of Aimovig and breastfeeding<\/span><\/a>, including how it might affect babies or milk production. For this reason, many providers don’t readily recommend Aimovig while breastfeeding, though exceptions are possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

“There isn’t a lot of solid data on the safety of taking this drug during lactation,” says<\/span> Andrew Youssouf, MD<\/span><\/a>, who is double board-certified in addiction medicine and emergency medicine and is the medical director of Ikon Recovery. Because of this, Dr. Youssouf says he recommends exploring other options before using Aimovig while breastfeeding. “Due to the lack of extensive research, I generally recommend caution, especially during the early postpartum period or when nursing a newborn or preterm infant,” he explains. “If you’re considering Aimovig, it’s best to have a detailed conversation with your healthcare provider to weigh the benefits against any potential risks.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Noah Rosen, MD<\/span><\/a>, a neurologist with Northwell Health, has a similar recommendation. “It is still not known whether Aimovig is safe in breastfeeding,” Dr. Rosen says. However, there may be some indications that it may be safe. “There are preclinical animal studies of other similar large molecules that suggest the amount of antibody likely to pass would be very low and that is likely to be degraded in the gastrointestinal system of the baby.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Still, Dr. Rosen says there simply aren’t enough clinical trials on Aimovig and breastfeeding for healthcare professionals to recommend it. In<\/span> two published cases<\/span><\/a>, blood levels of Aimovig in the breastfed infant were negligible, “but that is not enough to make the case for all women using this medicine,” he says. “I currently hold off on the use of CGRP antibodies for now in these cases, provided other options for prevention can be used.” <\/span><\/p>\n

What are the risks of using Aimovig while breastfeeding?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Like any medication, Aimovig can have adverse effects at times. Some possible <\/span>side effects of Aimovig<\/span><\/a> include:<\/span><\/p>\n