Preventing Migraines With A New Drug, Ajovy

Preventing migraines is one of the major challenges in our society. Today it is one of the most common debilitating diseases. That’s when Ajovy (fremanezumab) comes into play. It is a new drug that can help treat this problem.

Migraines are not just a headache. It’s a neurological condition. More than 50 million people in Europe suffer from this unpredictable disorder. It is a disease that weakens the patients physically and mentally. It is more common in patients between the ages of 25 and 55 than in other age groups.

It greatly affects their quality of life. In addition, women are more susceptible to getting this condition. To some extent, it also has a genetic component.

Doctors have described it as a debilitating disease. Experts are also using more and more tools to improve preventive treatment. This means not only controlling the migraine but also reducing its impact. In many cases, however, they cannot diagnose it or provide an appropriate approach.

New therapeutic alternatives such as Ajovy are fundamental to continuing to make breakthroughs in the treatment of this condition. Both the prevention of migraine and the treatment of the symptoms help to reduce the burden caused by migraine.

This new drug has been studied in patients with debilitating migraines. Ajovy has been shown to reduce the number of migraine days in a month by up to 50%. Multiple studies also prove its effectiveness as a preventive measure.

Propranolol is another drug used as a treatment to prevent migraines. Usually it is sold under the name Inderal. It is a relaxing medication that is also used to treat anxiety.

What is Ajovy and how does it work?

Ajovy is the commercial brand of a monoclonal antibody: fremanezumab. It is a solution that is administered by injection. It is used to prevent migraines in adults who suffer from them at least four times a month. It has now been approved in the United States and in Europe.

Fremanezumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody. It works by attacking the calcitonin related peptide (CGRP). That way it keeps this peptide away from its receptor.

Medications like Ajovy are anti-CGRP for that reason. This is one of the most abundant neuropeptides derived from central and peripheral nerve cells. It is a potent vasodilator and affects the transmission of pain.

CGRP levels have been shown to increase during a migraine. By releasing the neuropeptide in the nerve endings and after it meets the receptor, substance is released in the inflammatory mediators and there is a potent vasodilation.

By acting on the CGRP, fremanizumab avoids activation of the sensory fibers of the trigeminal nerve. They are responsible for the pain. However, it is not yet clear to neuroscientists how these substances work.

Ajovy and the prevention of migraines

Ajovy is available in an easy to use injection needle that is injected under the skin. Each syringe contains 22 milligrams of antibody. Usually, doctors administer it in monthly or quarterly doses.

• If the patient receives it monthly, only one subcutaneous injection is sufficient.
• If the patient is given it quarterly, three injections can be given at the same time. This is equivalent to 675 milligrams. It is therefore only necessary to repeat the dose three months later.

This method of administration has the advantage of greatly increasing the flexibility of the treatment. With the quarterly dose, the patient really only needs to receive injections four times a year.

The side effects

The observed negative side effects are generally very moderate. Usually there are negative reactions around the injection site. Examples are:

• Pain
• redness
• Rough skin
• Itch
• Result

It’s a new drug. That means there is a need to continue researching its long-term safety and effectiveness. Therefore, if undesirable reactions occur, the patient should immediately inform his doctor.

Curiously, in the case of migraine, some treatments may not work in all patients. The reason is that not all migraines are created equal. There are several pharmaceutical options on the market. Each doctor must adapt the medication to each case. By this we mean that every treatment is totally personalized.