{"id":631375,"date":"2025-02-21T09:30:10","date_gmt":"2025-02-21T14:30:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=631375"},"modified":"2025-02-12T15:45:56","modified_gmt":"2025-02-12T20:45:56","slug":"ajovy-weight-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/ajovy-weight-loss\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Ajovy cause weight loss?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ajovy<\/span><\/a> (fremanezumab-vfrm) is an FDA approved migraine prevention treatment for adults. Manufactured by Teva Pharmaceuticals, the brand-name calcitonin gene-related peptide inhibitor (<\/span>CGRP inhibitor<\/span><\/a>) is a monoclonal antibody that prevents headache pain from <\/span>chronic or episodic migraine<\/span><\/a>. 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 <\/span>side effect of Ajovy<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Does Ajovy cause weight loss?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Weight loss<\/span><\/a> 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\u2014including skin rash, itchy skin, and hives\u2014after administering the dose of Ajovy from the prefilled syringe. Serious side effects include allergic reactions.<\/span><\/p>\n

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.\u201d These adverse effects could theoretically reduce food intake and contribute to weight loss.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tips for managing your weight on Ajovy<\/span><\/h2>\n

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

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

Consider a special diet<\/span><\/h3>\n

“<\/span>Research<\/span><\/a> supports that both <\/span>ketogenic<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>low-calorie diets<\/span><\/a>\u20141200 to 1500 [calories] per day\u2014can 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Exercise regularly<\/span><\/h3>\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n

Avoid migraine food triggers<\/span><\/h3>\n

Dietary migraine triggers<\/span><\/a> 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to Dr. DeCaria, these are common migraine triggers to consider avoiding on <\/span>Ajovy<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n