New treatment helps prevent migraine

(BPT) - Migraine is a disabling neurological disease that affects more than 36 million people in the United States.1 About 40 percent of people living with migraine may be appropriate candidates for preventive treatment, yet the majority of them are untreated.2

AJOVYTM (fremanezumab-vfrm) injection was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the preventive treatment of migraine in adults. AJOVY is the first in a new class of monoclonal antibodies targeting calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) and is the only treatment available with both quarterly (675 mg) and monthly (225 mg) subcutaneous dosing options.3

In clinical trials, AJOVY demonstrated significantly more migraine­-free days compared to placebo. The most common adverse reactions in clinical trials (≥5% and greater than placebo) were injection site reactions.3

Many patients avoid scheduling activities because they fear having to cancel due to migraine attacks.4

"When I have a migraine attack, I can’t take my children to play dates, parties or other activities, help them with homework or even make their lunches,” said Kristi Hanson, who experiences migraine attacks three to four times a week. “My kids get so disappointed when I can’t do things for and with them when I have a migraine attack."

Kristi enrolled in the clinical trial for AJOVY and experienced fewer migraine days per month. AJOVY may cause allergic reactions, including itching, rash, and hives that can happen within hours and up to 1 month after receiving AJOVY. Call your healthcare provider or get emergency medical help right away if you have any symptoms of an allergic reaction: swelling of your face, mouth, tongue, throat, or if you have trouble breathing. Talk to your doctor about stopping AJOVY if you have an allergic reaction.

“Because of my migraine attacks, it’s difficult for me to say ‘yes’ to friends or family members for parties or even weekend getaways because I'm afraid that I will end up spending the weekend in bed rather than spending time with them,” said Kristi. "When I have fewer migraine days, I can keep my social plans and get to spend more time with my family, which is important to me."

AJOVY is available through retail and specialty pharmacies, and there is a savings offer for AJOVY at AJOVY.com. Commercially insured patients may pay as little as $0 on prescriptions for AJOVY until December 31, 2019.*

Patients can learn more about AJOVY at AJOVY.com.

*Limitations apply. Please note, this offer is not available for patients eligible for Medicare, Medicaid, or any other public payer coverage. See full Terms and Conditions for eligibility and restrictions.

APPROVED USE

AJOVY™ is a prescription medicine used to prevent migraine in adults.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Do not use AJOVY if you are allergic to AJOVY or any of the ingredients in AJOVY.

AJOVY may cause allergic reactions, including itching, rash, and hives that can happen within hours and up to 1 month after receiving AJOVY. Call your healthcare provider or get emergency medical help right away if you have any symptoms of an allergic reaction: swelling of your face, mouth, tongue, throat, or if you have trouble breathing. Talk to your doctor about stopping AJOVY if you have an allergic reaction.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, and if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.

Common side effects of AJOVY include injection site reactions.

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of AJOVY. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report side effects to the FDA at 1 800FDA1088.

Please click here for full prescribing information for AJOVYTM (fremanezumab-vfrm) injection.

1) Migraine Research Foundation. http://migraineresearchfoundation.org/about-migraine/migraine-facts/.

2) Lipton RB, Bigal ME, Diamond M, et al; for AMPP Advisory Group. Migraine prevalence, disease burden, and the need for preventive therapy. Neurology. 2007;68(5):343-349.

3) AJOVY™ (fremanezumab-vfrm) injection Current Prescribing Information. North Wales, PA: Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.