Drugs List

Therapeutic Indications

Uses

Migraine (prophylaxis)

Migraine prophylaxis in adults experiencing at least 4 migraine days per month.

Dosage

70mg every 4 weeks.
Some patients may benefit from an increased dose of 140mg every 4 weeks.

Administration

For subcutaneous injection only.

Administered into the abdomen, thigh or outer area of the upper arm (the arm should only be used if administered by a person other than the patient).

Contraindications

Children under 18 years

Precautions and Warnings

Constipation
Breastfeeding
Decreased gastrointestinal motility
Pregnancy
Severe cardiovascular disorder

Treatment to be initiated by specialist
Contains polysorbate
Needle cover contains a derivative of latex
Avoid injection into broken or bruised skin
Advise patient to report constipation
Monitor for constipation; give laxatives as required
Discontinue if an adequate response not achieved within 3 months
Discontinue if significant constipation occurs, until resolved

Response to treatment should be reviewed after 3 months and in those showing clinical benefit, at regular intervals thereafter.

Constipation has been reported with the use of erenumab, the majority of cases are reported after the first dose of erenumab, other cases have also been reported later in the treatment. In most cases constipation resolved within three months. Severe constipation requiring hospitalisation have also been reported. Advise patient to report worsening constipation. Consider discontinuation if severe constipation occurs.

Pregnancy and Lactation

Pregnancy

Use erenumab with caution during pregnancy.

The manufacturer does not recommend using erenumab during pregnancy. At the time of writing there is limited published information regarding the use of erenumab during pregnancy. Potential risks are unknown.

Lactation

Use erenumab with caution in breastfeeding.

The manufacturer advises caution if erenumab is used when breastfeeding. The presence of erenumab in human breast milk is unknown but due to its large molecular weight, transfer is not expected. Effects on exposed infants are unknown.

Side Effects

Constipation
Development of neutralising antibodies
Erythema at injection site
Hypersensitivity reactions
Injection site reactions
Itching (injection site)
Local pain (injection site)
Muscle spasm
Oedema
Pruritus
Rash
Swelling
Urticaria

Presentation

Injections of erenumab.

Drugs List

Therapeutic Indications

Uses

Migraine (prophylaxis)

Migraine prophylaxis in adults experiencing at least 4 migraine days per month.

Dosage

70mg every 4 weeks.
Some patients may benefit from an increased dose of 140mg every 4 weeks.

Administration

For subcutaneous injection only.

Administered into the abdomen, thigh or outer area of the upper arm (the arm should only be used if administered by a person other than the patient).

Contraindications

Children under 18 years

Precautions and Warnings

Constipation
Breastfeeding
Decreased gastrointestinal motility
Pregnancy
Severe cardiovascular disorder

Treatment to be initiated by specialist
Contains polysorbate
Needle cover contains a derivative of latex
Avoid injection into broken or bruised skin
Advise patient to report constipation
Monitor for constipation; give laxatives as required
Discontinue if an adequate response not achieved within 3 months
Discontinue if significant constipation occurs, until resolved

Response to treatment should be reviewed after 3 months and in those showing clinical benefit, at regular intervals thereafter.

Constipation has been reported with the use of erenumab, the majority of cases are reported after the first dose of erenumab, other cases have also been reported later in the treatment. In most cases constipation resolved within three months. Severe constipation requiring hospitalisation have also been reported. Advise patient to report worsening constipation. Consider discontinuation if severe constipation occurs.

Pregnancy and Lactation

Pregnancy

Use erenumab with caution during pregnancy.

The manufacturer does not recommend using erenumab during pregnancy. At the time of writing there is limited published information regarding the use of erenumab during pregnancy. Potential risks are unknown.

Lactation

Use erenumab with caution in breastfeeding.

The manufacturer advises caution if erenumab is used when breastfeeding. The presence of erenumab in human breast milk is unknown but due to its large molecular weight, transfer is not expected. Effects on exposed infants are unknown.

Side Effects

Constipation
Development of neutralising antibodies
Erythema at injection site
Hypersensitivity reactions
Injection site reactions
Itching (injection site)
Local pain (injection site)
Muscle spasm
Oedema
Pruritus
Rash
Swelling
Urticaria

Overdosage

It is strongly recommended that the UK National Poisons Information Service be consulted on cases of suspected or actual overdose where there is doubt over the degree of risk or about appropriate management.

The following number will direct the caller to the relevant local centre (0844) 892 0111

Information may be obtained if you have access to ToxBase the primary clinical toxicology database of the National Poisons Information Service. This is available via password on the internet ( www.toxbase.org ) or if this is unavailable at the backup site ( www.toxbasebackup.org ).

Further Information

Last Full Review Date: September 2019

Reference Sources

Summary of Product Characteristics: Aimovig 70mg & 140mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen. Novartis Pharmaceuticals. Revised August 2020.

US National Library of Medicine. Toxicology Data Network. Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed).
Available at: https://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT
Erenumab Last revised: 03 December 2018
Last accessed: 12 September 2019