Switching from Aimovig to Ajovy makes a lot of sense given the side effects experienced. Both belong to the same class of CGRP monoclonal antibody drugs, but they work slightly differently — Ajovy targets the CGRP protein itself, while Aimovig blocks the CGRP receptor. This difference can mean a better tolerance for some Show Full Answer
Switching from Aimovig to Ajovy makes a lot of sense given the side effects experienced. Both belong to the same class of CGRP monoclonal antibody drugs, but they work slightly differently — Ajovy targets the CGRP protein itself, while Aimovig blocks the CGRP receptor. This difference can mean a better tolerance for some people.
Ajovy's common side effects include:
- Injection site pain
- Fatigue
- Constipation
- Itching
It's worth flagging the constipation concern with a doctor before starting, since that was already an issue with Aimovig. Since Imitrex (sumatriptan) has been working well, that's a great anchor in the treatment plan. It's a well-established triptan for both chronic migraine and migraine with aura.
One thing to be mindful of — using triptans too frequently can increase the risk of medication overuse headache, so it's worth discussing a safe usage schedule with the doctor.
Having an open conversation with the new doctor about what has and hasn't worked over 45 years is really important. A specialist who understands the full history can help find the right combination of rescue and preventive treatments.
July 31