Ajovy (Fremanezumab)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Ajovy Used For?
Ajovy is a prescription medicine that contains fremanezumab, a specialized protein called a monoclonal antibody. It’s specifically designed to prevent migraine attacks in adults.
Primary Uses
Ajovy is used to prevent migraine in adults. It is not recommended for children and adolescents under 18 years because it hasn’t been studied in this age group.
How It Works
Fremanezumab works by binding to a protein called calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), which plays an important role in migraine. By blocking CGRP from binding to its receptor, Ajovy reduces the frequency of migraine attacks and headache days, while also decreasing migraine symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound.
Good to know: Ajovy has been shown to reduce migraine frequency and associated symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound
How to Take Ajovy
Ajovy is given as a subcutaneous injection (under the skin) using a pre-filled syringe or autoinjector. It can be administered by your doctor, caregiver, or yourself after proper training.
Dosage Instructions
Ajovy can be given as either 225mg once monthly or 675mg every three months (given as three separate injections at different sites). Your doctor will determine which schedule is right for you. Inject into your stomach area (avoiding 5cm around belly button), front of thighs (5cm above knee and below groin), or back of upper arms. Wait 30 minutes for the medicine to reach room temperature before injecting to reduce discomfort.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss a dose, inject it as soon as you can remember. Continue with your regular schedule from there. It may help to use a calendar or diary to track your injection dates.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed injection. Each syringe or autoinjector is for single use only.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Pain, hardening or redness at injection site
- Itching
- Rash
- Constipation
- Fatigue
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Chest tightness, cough, wheezing or difficulty breathing
- Drop in blood pressure (fainting, dizziness, feeling lightheaded)
- Swelling of face, lips, tongue or other body parts
- Rash, itching or hives on skin
- Stomach pain or discomfort
- Vomiting
Important Warnings
Before using Ajovy, it’s important to discuss your medical history and current medications with your doctor to ensure it’s safe for you.
Who Should Not Take Ajovy
Do not use Ajovy if you are allergic to fremanezumab or any ingredients in the medicine, or if you are using other similar medicines of the same class. Always check ingredients to ensure you can safely use this medicine.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have or have had cardiovascular disease (heart and blood vessel problems) before using Ajovy, as it hasn’t been studied in patients with certain cardiovascular diseases.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
It’s preferable to avoid Ajovy during pregnancy as the effects in pregnant women are not known. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Your doctor can discuss the risks and benefits with you.
Allergic Reactions: Stop using Ajovy and seek immediate medical attention if you experience chest tightness, difficulty breathing, swelling, rash, or other signs of allergic reaction
Drug Interactions
Tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking, as some may interfere with how Ajovy works.
Important: It’s not yet fully known which medicines may interfere with Ajovy, so inform your doctor about everything you’re taking
- Other migraine prevention medications
- All prescription medicines
- Over-the-counter medicines
- Vitamins and supplements
Alcohol & Driving
Be cautious when driving or operating machinery until you know how Ajovy affects you.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol interactions are mentioned in the prescribing information, but discuss alcohol use with your doctor.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Ajovy affects you. This medicine is not expected to affect your ability to drive, but individual responses may vary.
Storage
Store Ajovy in the refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C. Do not freeze. The medicine may be stored unrefrigerated for up to 7 days at temperatures up to 30°C. Store in the original carton to protect from light. Keep out of reach of children. Do not store in bathrooms, cars, or on window sills.
Overdose Information
If you think you have used too much Ajovy, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Contact the Poisons Information Centre (Australia: 13 11 26, New Zealand: 0800 764 766), your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if you feel fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
You should see your doctor after 8-12 weeks of using Ajovy to discuss whether you should continue treatment. This suggests it may take several weeks to see full benefits.
Yes, you may be able to inject yourself once you have received proper training from your doctor or nurse and are confident in doing so. Never attempt to inject without proper training.
If you miss a dose, inject it as soon as you remember. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed injection. Continue with your regular schedule.
Store in the refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C. Do not freeze. You can keep it unrefrigerated for up to 7 days at temperatures up to 30°C, but must discard it after 7 days if not used.
You can inject in your stomach area (avoiding 5cm around belly button), front of thighs (5cm above knee and below groin), or back of upper arms. Avoid areas that are tender, bruised, sunburnt, hardened, red, infected, tattooed, callused, scarred, or have stretch marks.
It’s preferable to avoid Ajovy during pregnancy as the effects in pregnant women are not known. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
The most common side effects are local skin reactions at the injection site including pain, hardening, redness, itching, and rash. Other side effects may include constipation and fatigue.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.