Ajovy can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Its most common side effect is injection site reactions, such as skin discoloration, itching, or pain.

Ajovy (fremanezumab-vfrm) is a brand-name biologic drug prescribed to help prevent migraine episodes in adults.

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects Ajovy can cause. To learn more about Ajovy, including its uses, dosage, and cost, read this Ajovy overview.

Injection site reactions are Ajovy’s most commonly reported side effect. To learn more, see the “Side effects explained” section.

Ajovy may cause mild side effects, such as:

In most cases, these side effects are temporary, and some are easily managed. But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop using Ajovy unless your doctor recommends it.

Ajovy may cause mild side effects other than those mentioned here. See the Ajovy prescribing information for details.

Serious side effects of Ajovy aren’t common, but can include:

If you develop serious side effects while using Ajovy, call your doctor right away. If they seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medication safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while using Ajovy and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Ajovy’s side effects.

Are there reviews or testimonials available from people who’ve used Ajovy?

Yes, the manufacturer of Ajovy has stories on its website from people who’ve used the drug. These may mention side effects that the people experienced.

Keep in mind that everyone’s body responds differently to medications. Someone else’s experience of a particular treatment may not reflect how your body will respond to it.

For more information about what to expect from Ajovy treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Are weight loss or weight gain side effects of Ajovy?

No, weight changes have not been reported with Ajovy.

However, it’s possible for migraine symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite to be associated with weight loss. On the other hand, if migraine treatment reduces these symptoms for you, it’s possible to gain some weight (due to having an increased appetite, for example).

If you experience unintentional changes in your weight, discuss this with your doctor. They can help determine possible causes and ways to manage this.

Is hair loss a possible side effect of Ajovy?

It’s not likely. Hair loss wasn’t a side effect reported in studies of Ajovy. But stress can trigger a migraine episode for some people. And stress can lead to hair loss.

So it’s possible that you may have hair loss related to stress or migraine while using Ajovy. But these side effects may not be caused by the drug itself.

Hair loss is a common side effect of other drugs used to help prevent migraine headaches, such as topiramate (Topamax).

If you have hair loss or are concerned about having it during Ajovy treatment, talk with your doctor. They can help determine the cause.

Is anxiety a side effect of Ajovy?

No, anxiety has not been reported with Ajovy. It’s possible for anxiety to be a migraine symptom, however. And other migraine medications may cause anxiety as a side effect.

Be sure to discuss any anxiety you’re experiencing with your doctor. They can help determine possible causes and treatments.

Are depression, fatigue, or joint pain side effects of Ajovy?

No, depression, fatigue (low energy), and joint pain weren’t side effects reported in studies of Ajovy. But depression and fatigue can occur in people who experience migraine. Also, when you’re fatigued, you may experience joint pain.

So if you feel depressed, fatigued, or have joint pain during Ajovy treatment, these may not be caused by the drug.

In rare cases, other medications used to help prevent migraine attacks can cause fatigue or mood changes, such as depression. Topamax, for example, may cause mood changes and fatigue.

If you have depression, lack of energy, or bothersome joint pain while using Ajovy, talk with your doctor. They can help determine whether Ajovy is working well for you. They can also help create a plan for monitoring other symptoms.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Ajovy may cause.

Injection site reactions

Injection site reactions are the most common side effect of Ajovy. These are reactions that happen around the area where you inject Ajovy, and they include:

What might help

There are a few ways to reduce your risk of injection site reactions to Ajovy:

  • Do not inject Ajovy into an area of skin that’s already discolored, tender, or bruised. Avoid giving yourself injections into an injured area until after it’s healed.
  • You should inject each dose of Ajovy into a new area of skin. Ajovy injections can be given into your abdomen, thighs, or upper arms.
  • If you need multiple injections per dose, you can inject them all into the same area of your body. But choose a spot at least one finger width away from your last injection site.

If you have injection site reactions while using Ajovy, talk with your doctor. They can recommend other ways to help ease your symptoms.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Ajovy can cause an allergic reaction. In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should keep injecting Ajovy.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Ajovy, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Ajovy may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you start using Ajovy. Factors to consider include:

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while using Ajovy

It’s not known whether Ajovy is safe to use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding or planning for either, talk with your doctor before starting Ajovy treatment. They can discuss the risks and benefits of using this medication during these times.

If you use Ajovy while pregnant, consider enrolling in a pregnancy registry. Pregnancy registries collect information about what happens when a drug is used during pregnancy. This helps researchers better understand the risks of using the drug while pregnant.

To enroll in Ajovy’s pregnancy registry, talk with your doctor. You can also visit the registry’s site or call 833-927-2605.

Q:

I’ve heard that certain migraine prevention drugs can cause changes in the way things taste. Are issues with taste a side effect of Ajovy?

Anonymous

A:

It’s true that some medications used to help prevent migraine can cause changes in how things taste. For example, changes in taste was a common side effect in people who took Topamax in studies. But this side effect wasn’t reported by people using Ajovy in studies.

Note that changes in taste can be part of the aura phase of a migraine episode for some people. An aura is a set of symptoms that can occur just before a migraine attack. Some include:

  • changes in taste
  • visual disturbances, such as seeing:
    • zig-zagging lines
    • flashes of bright light
  • speech difficulties

If you have more questions about migraine prevention drugs and their side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.