Erenumab
About Erenumab
Erenumab is a prescription injection used to help prevent migraines in adults. It is designed to reduce the frequency and severity of both episodic and chronic migraine attacks. By stopping migraines before they start, this medicine helps you manage your symptoms before they disrupt your life.
This medicine is typically injected once a month and must be used consistently to provide the most effective protection. Because it is given as a subcutaneous injection, you can take it with or without food. Combining this monthly treatment with healthy daily habits, like keeping a consistent sleep schedule and drinking plenty of water, can further improve your results.
While using Erenumab, you may experience mild side effects, such as pain or redness where you inject the medicine, or mild constipation. If you develop severe side effects, like extreme stomach pain or signs of an allergic reaction, you must contact your doctor immediately.
Before starting this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of high blood pressure, severe constipation, or allergies to latex. Do not take this medicine if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to any of its ingredients.
This medicine has no known major interactions with common foods or alcohol, but you should discuss your lifestyle choices and other medications with your pharmacist. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or are an older adult, you should consult your healthcare team to ensure this treatment is safe for you.
Uses of Erenumab
Medicinal Benefits
Erenumab helps prevent migraine attacks by targeting the biological pathways involved in migraine development. With regular use as prescribed, it helps reduce the frequency of migraines, improves daily functioning, and supports long-term migraine prevention.
- Reduces the Frequency of Migraine Attacks: By blocking the pathways that trigger migraines, this medicine helps decrease the number of monthly migraine days and supports better long-term migraine control.
- Improves Daily Quality of Life: Fewer migraine attacks allow you to participate more comfortably in work, school, and social activities while reducing the need for rescue pain medicines and the risk of medication-overuse headaches.
- Convenient Once-Monthly Treatment: The once-monthly injection schedule makes it easier to maintain consistent preventive therapy, supporting better adherence and long-term treatment outcomes.
Directions for Use
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication.
- Erenumab can be self-administered subcutaneously under a doctor's guidance.
- Make sure to get proper training from a healthcare professional before administering Erenumab by yourself.
- Do not inject into red or bruised areas.
Storage
Side Effects of Erenumab
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Redness, swelling, or pain at the injection site
- Constipation
- Muscle spasms or stiffness
- Mild skin itching
Serious Side Effects (Consult a doctor right away):
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, skin rash, or difficulty breathing
- Severe, sudden constipation, especially if accompanied by stomach pain, bloating, or vomiting
- New or worsening high blood pressure
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Warm to room temperature: Remove the injection from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before injecting. Do not heat it in the microwave or use hot water.
- Inspect the solution: Check the medicine through the viewing window before injecting. It should be clear to slightly pearly and colourless to pale yellow; do not use it if it is cloudy, colored, or contains large particles.
- Rotate injection sites: Choose a different spot for each injection to reduce the risk of skin irritation or soreness. Avoid injecting into areas where the skin is bruised, red, hard, or scarred.
- Check the needle cap: If you have a latex allergy, consult your doctor before using this medicine, as some device caps may contain dry natural rubber.
- Never reuse syringes: Use a new, sterile prefilled syringe or auto-injector for every dose and discard it immediately in a puncture-resistant sharps container.
Drug Interactions
- No clinically significant drug interactions are known with Erenumab when used as directed.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
consult your doctorIt is unknown if alcohol interacts with Erenumab. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol while on treatment with Erenumab.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorIt is not known whether Erenumab will harm your unborn baby. Please consult a doctor if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy; the doctor may prescribe the medicine if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorIt is unknown whether Erenumab is excreted in human milk. Please consult a doctor before using Erenumab if you are a breastfeeding mother.
Driving
consult your doctorIt is not known if Erenumab affects your ability to drive. Hence, drive only if you are alert after using Erenumab.
Liver
consult your doctorIf you have any concerns regarding the use of Erenumab in patients with liver problems, please consult a doctor.
Kidney
consult your doctorIf you have any concerns regarding the use of Erenumab in patients with kidney problems, please consult a doctor.
Children
cautionThe safety and effectiveness of Erenumab in children have not been established. Please consult your doctor for appropriate suggestions.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Identify and avoid triggers: Keep a detailed headache diary to track potential triggers like processed foods, aged cheeses, artificial sweeteners, or skipping meals.
- Maintain a regular sleep schedule: Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, even on weekends, can significantly lower the frequency of migraine attacks.
- Stay well-hydrated: Dehydration is a common migraine trigger, so aim to drink plenty of water consistently throughout the day.
- Manage stress levels: Incorporate relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or gentle yoga into your daily routine to help prevent stress-induced headaches.
Special Advise
- Monitor your blood pressure while using Erenumab, as it may cause hypertension or worsen pre-existing hypertension. If you notice an increase in blood pressure, seek medical attention immediately.
- Sometimes, Erenumab may cause severe constipation requiring hospitalisation or surgery. Consult the doctor if you have severe constipation.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Migraine: A migraine is a neurological condition that causes severe headaches or throbbing headaches, usually on one side of the head. Migraines can last from a few hours to several days and can significantly affect daily activities. Chronic migraine is a severe headache where a person experiences headaches up to 15 or more days per month for a period of three months or more. Symptoms of migraine include headache, nausea, and sensitivity to sound or light.
FAQs
Erenumab is used for the preventive treatment of migraine in adults.
Erenumab works by blocking the action of a natural substance that causes migraine headaches.
The common side effects of Erenumab are pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site, constipation, cramps, and muscle spasms. Most of these side effects of Erenumab do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
No, Erenumab does affect the oral contraceptive pills containing ethinyl estradiol and norgestimate.
Erenumab should be stored in refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) in the original package to protect from light until use. Make sure not to freeze Erenumab.
Erenumab is generally considered safe when used as prescribed by a doctor. However, like all medications, it can have side effects and potential interactions with other drugs. It's important to follow your doctor's instructions and inform them of any pre-existing and existing medical conditions or medication history to avoid negative complications.
Administer Erenumab in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm subcutaneously. Do not inject into areas where the skin is tender, bruised, red, or hard.
Before administering, Erenumab should be removed from the refrigerator and allowed to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. Do not warm Erenumab by using any type of heat source. Do not shake it before administering like suspensions or emulsions. Observe visually for any particulate matter and discolouration before administration. Do not administer Erenumab if its solution is cloudy or discoloured or contains any particles. Administer Erenumab in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm subcutaneously. Make sure not to inject into areas where the skin is tender, bruised, red, or hard.
Erenumab helps to prevent migraines but does not cure them. Therefore, continue using Erenumab as prescribed even if you feel better. Do not stop administering Erenumab without talking to your doctor.
Yes, you can travel with Erenumab, but you must ensure it remains at a safe temperature. It can be stored at room temperature (up to 25°C) for up to 7 days, but for longer trips, you should use a cool travel pack to keep it refrigerated. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for travel tips.
If Erenumab has been frozen, do not use it, even if it has thawed. Freezing can damage the active proteins in the medicine, making it unsafe or ineffective. Dispose of it safely and use a new syringe. Talk to your pharmacist if you need a replacement.
There are no known direct interactions between alcohol and Erenumab. However, because alcohol is a well-known migraine trigger for many people, it is best to limit your intake. Talk to your doctor about your alcohol use.
There is limited clinical data on the safety of using Erenumab during pregnancy. Your doctor will help you weigh the benefits of migraine prevention against any potential risks to your baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
No, Erenumab is a preventive treatment and will not stop a migraine attack that is already in progress. You should continue to use your regular acute migraine rescue medications as prescribed by your doctor.
Constipation is a common side effect, but severe cases can lead to serious complications. If you experience severe stomach pain, bloating, vomiting, or are unable to pass stool, seek medical help immediately. Talk to your doctor about how to manage mild constipation.
You should not inject into the exact same spot for consecutive doses. Rotating your injection sites, such as switching between your thigh, stomach, and arm, helps protect your skin from becoming sore, hard, or irritated.
Author Details
