100 Migraine Drugs, A to Z: fremanezumab

Fremanezumab (Ajovy) is one of the three drugs in the family of CGRP monoclonal antibodies that have been approved for the prevention of migraine headaches.

Fremanezumab was approved by the FDA last September. After trying erenumab (Aimovig), which was approved first, I also injected myself with Ajovy monthly for two months. My migraine headaches do not cause any disability, so I did it to see if I can reduce my attacks from triggers such as red wine, which it did, and to reassure my patients about the relative safety of these drugs.

Over the years I’ve tried Botox a couple of times and a few other treatments, but not drugs such as topiramate (Topamax) or divalproex sodium (Depakote), which I rarely prescribe to my patients because of their potential to cause serious side effects. Fortunately, my occasional migraines have always been easily controlled with sumatriptan (Imitrex), so I do not need any preventive therapies.