Aimovig vs. Imitrex

Aimovig (erenumab-aooe) and Imitrex (topiramate) are used to prevent migraine headaches.

Aimovig and Imitrex belong to different drug classes. Aimovig is a calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist and Imitrex is a selective serotonin receptor agonist.

Common side effects of Aimovig include:

• injection site reactions (pain or redness),
• constipation, and
• muscle spasms or
• cramps

Common side effects of Imitrex include:

• mild headache (not a migraine),
• pain or chest tightness,
• pressure or heavy feeling in any part of your body,
• weakness,
• feeling hot or cold,
• dizziness,
• spinning sensation,
• drowsiness,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• drooling,
• unusual taste in your mouth after using nasal spray,
• burning/numbness/pain/irritation in your nose or throat after using nasal spray, or
• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingling under the skin).

Aimovig (erenumab-aooe) Injection is a calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist indicated for the preventive treatment of migraine in adults.

Imitrex (sumatriptan) is a selective serotonin receptor agonist used in oral, intranasal or injectable dosage form to treat migraine headaches. Imitrex is available as a generic drug.

Aimovig may interact with other drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

Imitrex may interact with sibutramine (Meridia); monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) isocarboxazid (Marplan); selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft), serotonin; norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, venlafaxine (Effexor)) and duloxetine (Cymbalta); and ergot-containing medications, dihydroergotamine (Migranal) and ergotamine (Methergine).

The recommended dosage of Aimovig is 70 mg once monthly; some patients may benefit from a dosage of 140 mg once monthly, which is administered as two consecutive subcutaneous injections of 70 mg each.

The maximum single recommended adult dose of Imitrex Injection for the acute treatment of migraine or cluster headache is 6 mg injected subcutaneously. For the treatment of migraine, if side effects are dose limiting, lower doses (1 mg to 5 mg) of Imitrex may be used.