Does Aimovig Stop Migraines?
Aimovig (erenumab) reduces migraine frequency but does not stop them entirely for most patients. It targets the CGRP receptor to prevent attacks, cutting monthly migraine days by 50% or more in about 40-50% of users in clinical trials.[1][2] Complete elimination is rare; some patients still experience breakthroughs.
How Quickly Does Aimovig Start Working?
Effects often begin within the first month of monthly self-injections, with full benefits by 3 months. In the pivotal LIBERTY trial, patients saw 4-5 fewer migraine days per month after 12 weeks.[1][3]
What Do Real Patient Reviews Say?
Many report fewer severe attacks and less reliance on acute meds, but results vary. On Drugs.com, it scores 6.5/10 from over 1,500 reviews, with 47% rating it "major relief" but 30% noting limited or no help.[4] Common complaints include injection-site reactions.
Who Responds Best to Aimovig?
It works for episodic (4-14 days/month) and chronic (15+ days/month) migraines in adults. Best responders have high baseline frequency and CGRP involvement. It's FDA-approved since 2018 for prevention in those with ≥4 attacks monthly.[2]
What If Aimovig Doesn't Work?
About 30-50% see inadequate response; switch to other CGRP blockers like Emgality (monthly) or Ajovy (quarterly), or older preventives like beta-blockers. Guidelines recommend trying for 2-3 months before switching.[5]
Common Side Effects and Risks
Most frequent: injection-site pain/redness (up to 45%), constipation (10-20%). Rare risks include hypertension or allergic reactions. No black-box warnings; long-term data shows tolerability up to 5 years.[1][3]
How Does Aimovig Compare to Other Migraine Preventives?
| Drug | Class | Dosing | Avg. Migraine Day Reduction | Cost/Month (w/o ins.) |
|------|-------|--------|-----------------------------|-----------------------|
| Aimovig | CGRP receptor blocker | Monthly subQ | 3-5 days | $650-700 |
| Emgality | CGRP antibody | Monthly subQ | 4-6 days | $650-700 |
| Nurtec ODT | CGRP blocker (acute + prev.) | As needed/oral | 2-4 days (prev.) | $800+ |
| Topamax | Anticonvulsant | Daily oral | 2-3 days | $10-50 generic |
| Botox | Neurotoxin | Every 12 wks. inj. | 4-8 days (chronic) | $600-800 |
Aimovig outperforms oral options in trials but matches other CGRP drugs; choice depends on lifestyle and insurance.[2][5]
Cost, Insurance, and Savings Options
Lists at $690/month; most insurance covers with prior auth. Patient assistance via Amgen's program caps copays at $25 for eligible uninsured/low-income.[6] Generics unavailable—patent expires ~2030 per DrugPatentWatch.[7]
Sources
[1] Aimovig Prescribing Information (Amgen)
[2] FDA Approval Summary
[3] NEJM LIBERTY Trial (2018)
[4] Drugs.com Aimovig Reviews
[5] AAN/AHS Migraine Guidelines (2019)
[6] Amgen SupportPlus
[7] DrugPatentWatch: Aimovig Patents