Aimovig (CGRP monoclonal antibody) is approved by the FDA!
Yesterday the FDA approved the long-awaited breakthrough drug for the prevention of migraines. It promises to provide relief to two out of three migraine sufferers with minimal side effects.
It should become available in a couple of weeks. The cost of the monthly injection is $575, but hopefully most insurance plans will cover it. The insurance companies are likely to require that the patient first try and fail a couple of inexpensive drugs before paying for Aimovig, as they do with Botox.
The medicine comes in a simple-to-use auto-injector and after the initial injection patients will be able to self-administer it.
To patients of the New York Headache Center – please call the office and schedule an appointment.
Aimovig and Botox have no negative interactions, so they can be given at the same time. This combination may be a good idea if neither treatment alone provides complete relief of migraines.
Yes, Aimovig is most likely effective for cluster headaches as well because a similar drug, galcanezumab, which is still in development, was recently reported to relieve cluster headaches as well as migraines.
Is there information available on whether those of us who get quarterly Botox injections can get Aimovig immediately? Or does a minimum amount of time have to lapse after the most recent Botox injection? Is there a health risk to using both Botox and Aimovig? Thank you for keeping us informed.
Dr. Mauskop, Is Aimovig effective on cluster headaches?
Woohoo! Although according to their press release, it’s available within a week:
https://www.amgen.com/media/news-releases/2018/05/fda-approves-aimovig-erenumabaooe-a-novel-treatment-developed-specifically-for-migraine-prevention/