From the Guidelines
The starting dose of Aimovig (erenumab) is 70 mg administered once monthly as a subcutaneous injection. This medication comes in a prefilled autoinjector or syringe and is typically self-administered into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. According to the study published in Nature Reviews Neurology 1, erenumab is a third-line medication for migraine prevention, with a recommended dosage of 70 or 140 mg subcutaneous once monthly. Some patients may require a higher dose of 140 mg once monthly (given as two consecutive 70 mg injections), but treatment should begin with the 70 mg dose to assess response. Aimovig works by blocking the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor, which plays a key role in migraine pathophysiology. This mechanism helps prevent migraine attacks before they start. Key points to consider when initiating Aimovig include:
- Storage: Aimovig should be stored in the refrigerator but allowed to reach room temperature for 30 minutes before injecting.
- Administration: The medication is self-administered into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.
- Missed doses: If a dose is missed, it should be administered as soon as possible, and then the regular monthly schedule should be resumed.
- Side effects: Common side effects include injection site reactions, constipation, and muscle cramps.
- Efficacy: Improvement in migraine frequency may be noticed within the first month, but full benefits may take up to 3 months of consistent use, as supported by the study 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
2. 1 Recommended Dosing The recommended dosage of AIMOVIG is 70 mg injected subcutaneously once monthly. Some patients may benefit from a dosage of 140 mg injected subcutaneously once monthly.The starting dose of Aimovig is 70 mg injected subcutaneously once monthly 2.
From the Research
Aimovig Starting Dose
There is no direct information available in the provided studies regarding the starting dose of Aimovig (erenumab).
- The studies primarily focus on the efficacy, safety, and comparison of different anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies, including erenumab, fremanezumab, and galcanezumab, in the treatment of migraine 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
- They discuss the treatment outcomes, response rates, and adverse event rates in various patient populations, including those with episodic and chronic migraine, as well as older adults 5, 7.
- However, the specific starting dose of Aimovig is not mentioned in any of the provided studies.
Available Information on Anti-CGRP Monoclonal Antibodies
- The studies suggest that anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies, including erenumab, fremanezumab, and galcanezumab, are effective in the preventive treatment of migraine 3, 4, 6, 7.
- They also discuss the potential differences in efficacy and safety between these treatments, as well as their use in real-world populations 4, 5, 6, 7.