Ajovy and Constipation: What Users Say

• Opa...
• August 25, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "This medication should only be taken by those willing to risk losing 6 months of their lives being homebound. In March 2020, I was prescribed Ajovy. I was told the major concerns were constipation and injection site reaction, which the manufacturer's website stated as well. I took the Ajovy in April & May 2020. In June 2020, I started to experience GI problems, such as bloating, extreme constipation, nausea, heart palpitations, sense of unease, and panic, vertigo, joint pain, and extreme fatigue. Workup with my PCP in August 2020 showed a 20lb weight gain, elevated LFTs, and increased heart rate from my usual baseline. The only change made in lifestyle or meds in 2020 was the Ajovy... I am now suffering 3 months after my last dose and would not wish this on anyone. I started with very high hopes with this medication. However, this medication is MUCH WORSE than the migraines."

• Car...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 2, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I have suffered from chronic migraines since I was a teenager and I am 41. I have tried every medication, almost 5 years of Botox, and nerve decompression surgery in NYC over 2 years ago. Migraines have always come back. My neurologist has put me on Ajovy. I have taken 1 dose 3 weeks ago, no change in my headaches, but I have never felt more fatigued in my life! I can easily sleep 14 hours and still take a nap if it’s my day off. I also feel dizzy, constipated, and my hands and feet feel numb and sore at times. I will not be taking the 2nd dose. I normally work out a few times per week but haven’t had any energy to do so. Also, with a busy nursing career I cannot afford to feel so sluggish or dizzy. I really wanted this to work. I am disappointed again. My neurologist was optimistic and also told me the only adverse reaction was at the injection site, very misleading if you ask me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 28, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "Does anyone here want to start a class action lawsuit against Ajovy? This drug has not been studied enough for side effects. After 2 injections, I refuse to take any more. Like others on this forum, I am so fatigued, I sleep all day. Extremely nauseous so it’s hard to eat anything that’s not bland. I’ve gained 5 pounds. I am very constipated, dizzy, fear I will collapse when I try to go out. I have type 2 bipolar depression and after not having suicidal thoughts for years, I had very serious suicidal thoughts and plans that I managed to talk myself out of. There is a known link between mood disorders and migraines, so I think they should take this more seriously and do more research before treating people like guinea pigs."

• The...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 15, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I have suffered from chronic migraines for 35+ years! My first injection of Ajovy was on May 30, 2019. Initially, other than site pain/bruising, I was thrilled...thought I was a winner! Unfortunately, my 5th dose on September 30th will be my last! My struggle with a weight gain of 17 pounds is unacceptable, when I know that my diet and exercise regimen has been even better than before I started. I am uncomfortably bloated and/or constipated due to the decreased gastric motility that I KNOW is caused by the Ajovy! I pray that my fellow migraineurs who are using it pay attention to your body...monitor closely."

• JSP...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 5, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I started Ajovy 225mg in January. The first month I noticed no help with migraines, actually, it was a little worse. Also started getting lightheaded and lacked appetite. The second shot in February, my symptoms became worse: bad taste in my mouth, feeling spacey, no appetite, still no reduction in migraines. Also, experiencing constipation, insomnia, and low energy. The 3rd shot and last brought chills and flushing, heart palpitations, irritability, trouble concentrating, major panic attacks. Numbness in legs and arms, confusion, my wife called 911 thinking I was having a heart attack. No one can tell me how long this will last. I was told by Teva, the maker of Ajovy, that it has a 31-day half-life, which means it will take 155 days for the Ajovy to be out of my system. My neurologist has no answers. The doctors at the ER said it was a severe panic attack, and I was dehydrated. I hope this helps. Sorry, I am not thinking very well. No changes in my medication except Ajovy."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 19, 2023

For Migraine Prevention "I have suffered from migraines since childhood. I am 51 and recently started trying different medications for prevention. I took Nortriptyline, Topomax, Emgality, and Ajovy. My biggest issue has been severe constipation, which was solving one problem for another. I usually read and research meds, but I didn't for this one. I took the injection, and within hours, started to feel disoriented and dizzy. I woke the next morning feeling the same, and an hour later, I had a panic attack with rapid heart, chest tightening, uncontrollable crying, and shakes. This came in waves for the next hour, which led me to the ER. It was after I started reading the reviews and saw the percentage of people that had success was lower than all the negative reviews. It's been 2 days, and I am on vertigo meds and Xanax to help manage until this leaves my body. I can't drive due to the dizziness, and I feel out of control with my mind and emotions. After this experience, I will only take tablets. This was worse than any migraine."

• Jul...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 19, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I started Aimovig injections in August 2018. I took 3 doses (2 shots each) monthly. I believe it made a dent in the migraines (I suffered from 4-5 migraines a week). I had issues with pain at the injection site, felt like I had a mild flu and constipation. My doctor started me on Ajovy, and the injections were better, but I was very constipated, bloated, and gained a couple of pounds without a diet change. I did not take my Feb. 28th inject last month. I have had horrible headaches--like I've never had--and I have extreme heart palpitations two or three times daily since last week (approximately two weeks after I should have had an injection). I haven't changed anything else in my meds, diet, or stress conditions. My gut is that I am going through a type of withdrawal from this drug. Would love to know if anyone else has experienced something similar. These palpitations are very disturbing."

• Poo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 19, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I was diagnosed with vestibular migraine in 2018. Mostly dizziness, vertigo, mild headaches, etc. I had a bad episode in August 2020, along with a migraine. In September, my neuro gave me a sample injection of Ajovy, which broke the VM cycle and migraine. I was so happy. After a few weeks of being on cloud nine, the following symptoms started: severe back pain, neck pain, bloating, constipation, racing heart and palpitation, agitation, anxiety and panic, joint and muscle pain, fatigue (more than normal with VM), chest pain, difficulty breathing. It takes about 5 months for your body to clear one dose. I have 2 more months. My back still hurts around my kidney area. Adding fuel to the fire, I got Covid-19 at the end of October 2020, which made all the symptoms worse. I'm happy and thankful to God that I'm feeling better. Overall, if you suffer from chronic VM or migraine, I think it is worth a go, no pun intended. It may be very successful for you."

• Mir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 28, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I used this drug for two months. The first month, I had two migraine-free weeks, but I had immense bloating and constipation, triggering horrible acid reflux. Despite this, I carried on, thinking the pain was manageable. The next month, the side effects hit way harder, making my acid reflux so bad that I couldn't speak for weeks. I do NOT recommend this drug for anyone who uses their voice frequently or suffers from acid reflux."

• Hop...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 22, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "Migraines for 6 years intensely, occasional ones before that. Tried everything except the injections. Had my 1st Ajovy beginning of August. No side effects and not a single migraine since. 2nd Ajovy had 48 hours of mild nausea, fatigue and took half a Maxalt. 3rd Ajovy and I'm a mess. Severe nausea, vertigo, fatigue, severe anxiety. Never know when the nausea is going to hit me. I’ve got two new jobs that I’ve had to cancel days already because of the nausea. I’ve got severe constipation too. After thinking I could finally enjoy life again, do things I hadn’t done in years, I even booked an overseas holiday for 2023, I’m now shaking on my couch waiting for the next ondansetron to kick in. I’d rather have the migraines than this, and it makes me panic even more that I have weeks of this left before it’s out of my system. I don’t feel like I have any hope left!"

• Guy...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 8, 2023

For Migraine Prevention "I've been taking the monthly injection of Ajovy since 2019, and I have none of the side effects I see other people are experiencing. My headaches are down from 5 a week to 1 a month. My weight is stable, no brain fog, hives, or constipation. Some people must react differently than others, it’s worth a try to see how you react. I was taking 20 to 30 x 20 mg Nurofen a week, so I feel Ajovy is safer than that. I live in the UK and started taking it when it was just released, so I have probably had more than most people. I tried a 3-month break last year, and they gradually came back. I am considering taking an injection every 2 months to reduce any possible long-term risk."

• JCL...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 17, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I've suffered from migraines for 50 years and have tried most everything out there, including Botox. I started Ajovy 15 months ago, and it worked wonders. On Ajovy, I average 3 migraines a month, which for me is a miracle. After about ten months, I started to get vertigo (which I had checked to rule out any medical causes), and the past two months I've been suffering from bloating and constipation as well - all out of the ordinary. I am going to stop the Ajovy to see if this all clears up. I love not suffering with the migraines for the first time in 50 years, but I need to know for sure if Ajovy is causing what I believe to be these side effects."

• Ban...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 30, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "I have had daily headaches and migraines for over 7 years. My doctor started me on Aimovig first. After two doses, she switched me to Ajovy. I took my first dose in October. So far, I have had no redness or pain at the injection site. I've had no constipation, as long as I drink water. Now, it has not helped my migraines at all (I have a minimum of 15 a month). For my daily headaches (range 6-8 on a pain scale of 0-10 (10 is worst)), I've noticed a slight decrease in intensity (range of 5-8 now). I do have a couple of concerns. I feel like I'm a guinea pig. I've noticed a decrease in healing of my accidental wounds and scratches, as well as a possible interaction with my Sulfa antibiotics. I am trying this medication because I'm desperate to get rid of my pain, and I've tried everything else out there."

• Sha...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 24, 2024

For Migraine Prevention "Ajovy changed my life! I was having 19 headache days per month and wasn’t able to work. I had tried various treatments over several years with only slight improvements and most were abortive, not preventative. I heard about the new CGRP inhibitors through the Migraine World Summit webinar. Since I started treatment a few years ago, I am now down to less than 4 headache days per month and the ones I have are less severe. Side effects I have experienced are constipation & sometimes injection site redness. The auto-injector pen is easy to use though there is brief pain from the needle (which you can’t see). Due to it being a newer drug, the cost is very high. I am lucky to have access to this life-changing medicine through a manufacturer’s coupon and insurance coverage."

• Ale...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 23, 2023

For Migraine Prevention "Have had chronic migraine for 10+ years, constant facial/neck pain and pressure, pounding heartbeat, light sensitivity, fatigue, and brain fog with 3-4 acute episodes per week. No relief from Ajovy after 3 months of monthly injections, symptoms slightly worse overall, side effects: mild constipation, increased anxiety and depression. Auto-injector was fine, slightly painful but easy."

• Raa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 19, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I was on Aimovig quite successfully for 5 or 6 months, reducing my headache days from 13 down to four per month. Beyond those four, I did still wake up with some frequency with a headache, which disappeared when I got out of bed, leading me to think that they could be sinus-related. I switched to Ajovy 2 months ago because of Aimovig side effects, primarily constipation and insomnia. Ajovy is working even better. I have not had to use my abortive medication (Migranal) more than once in the past 6 weeks. When I do get a headache, it either disappears once I'm out of bed, or is successfully treated with as little as 1/2 cup of coffee. (I otherwise avoid caffeine). The insomnia seemed to disappear shortly after switching from Aimovig to Ajovy, but now it seems to be back. I suppose it's possible that it's unrelated to the medication, but I'd love to know if others experience trouble falling asleep on either of these medications."

• Job...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 13, 2024

For Migraine Prevention "I have been taking this medicine for about a year and a half. I’ve had chronic daily migraines for over a decade and tried pretty much everything I could before finally getting to try this. It was a miracle for me. I’m apparently a super responder to this medicine, because now I usually only have like 5-7 migraines a month. I know that seems like a lot, but it’s like a 75% reduction in migraine days for me! Side effects haven’t been noticeable for me. Maybe some constipation, but nothing else comes to mind. The shot stings if it’s cold, so I make sure it comes to room temp before injecting. Something to keep in mind is that this med is pricey if you don’t have insurance or have a high deductible. At the beginning of the year, I’m shelling out 600 bucks for it, but it’s been absolutely worth the cost for the quality of life I’ve regained."

• Jay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 22, 2023

For Migraine Prevention "I am a woman in my mid-50s, about 40 lbs overweight. After the first dose (I am doing one injection monthly), there was a significant reduction in migraines. I usually get 2-3 a week. I went almost three weeks with no migraine. I sometimes felt like I was going to get one, but it never fully developed. Near the end of the month (after the first injection), I did have a migraine that went away quickly with my abortive meds and one pretty severe headache a few days later, but this is a vast improvement and has given me hope. I didn't have any noticeable side effects. Since I am prone to constipation with a lot of meds, I increased my fiber in anticipation of that side effect and have had no issues. I haven't had any significant weight loss or gain, nor have I had any of the other scary side effects people have reported. I will update if things change after the 2nd dose. Here's to hoping for a good outcome! I need my life back."

• LAX...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 6, 2023

For Migraine Prevention "Ajovy got rid of my migraines completely. Unfortunately, the other side effects included severe constipation and bloating, hair loss, weight gain, brain fog, surging high blood pressure, irregular menstrual cycle, and hormones. What a nightmare! I was so desperate to get rid of my severe migraines that I took a big risk. Not worth it."

• Sas...
• January 24, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "The first month I took this, I had chronic insomnia, nightmares, fatigue, muscle pain, low mood, anxiety, anger outbursts, canker sores, constipation. I said never again, but in the third week, the side effects wore off, so I took it again. The same happened again, but not as bad, and I started to have pain-free days, so I tried a third injection, which worked really well, but I still had the insomnia, low mood, anxiety, etc. On the fourth injection, my mood has hit rock bottom, constantly crying over nothing (I never cry), not wanting to leave the house due to the anxiety. I'm actually sitting here thinking what's the point, so I've just emptied my injections in the bin. I've got a few days left until the side effects start to wear off, but I'm never taking this drug again. The worrying thing is that my neurologist told me no side effects. I've reported my side effects to the yellow card scheme, I think we should all do the same."

• DEE...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 26, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "Had a placebo effect for reduced migraine frequency for 30-90 days, after that, the migraines were as frequent as before. It never reduced the pain of attacks. CGRPs also shut down my GI tract, and I got severe constipation. I became impacted and had to go to the ER, nothing moving after a week, and nothing would help. I think they said this was a possible side effect of CGRPs, but I never thought it would be this bad. Discontinued drug, and symptoms resolved. Expensive drug, severe side effects."

• Gra...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 5, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "Ajovy changed my life from chronic migraine pain (nearly daily) to gratefulness. I've been taking the monthly injection for 20 months. I still get cluster-type headaches 4-8 times a month. Eletriptan hydrobromide works to stop the pain. Compared to daily pain, this is a life-changing gift after 11 years of life overlaid with migraine pain. My neurologist also prescribes 20 mg daily of nortriptyline. I have noticed only 2 minor side effects, elevated blood pressure and constipation. I eat healthy as I cannot eat gluten, so legumes, vegetables, rice, and yogurt are staples in my diet. No matter how much fiber I intake, the constipation remains. I take a natural laxative to help with that. The other medication I must take is Synthroid for thyroid regulation. No drug interactions seem to be cropping up after 20 months."

• Hel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 25, 2023

For Migraine Prevention "I started Ajovy 4 months ago. After 2 months, it did help reduce the number of migraines. I have been trying to figure out why I am constipated most of the time and my abdomen is hard and swollen as if I were pregnant. I even went to my doctor because it is bothering me so much. She suggested cutting out dairy for 30 days. Just realized that the Ajovy injections have to be the cause because this all started 4 months ago and that's the only change I've made this year. I started reading these reviews and found I'm not the only one this has happened to. I was getting Botox for a couple of years, but my current insurance won't approve it. I have to find another treatment, which I will discuss with my neurologist."

• Ida...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 30, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "I must say that when I began taking Ajovy 4 months ago, my migraines have significantly reduced, however, again, like some of the people have said on here, I began having symptoms of fibromyalgia, also bloated and constipated for days. Then, out of nowhere, in the 1st month of using Ajovy, I began noticing more and more hair falling out. I didn't attribute it at first to Ajovy, but now that I have been taking it for 5 months, my hair has gotten significantly thinner. As I was reading through a lot of other people's testimonies, a lot of folks said that they have experienced hair loss. I had a lot of hair, very full, and now it is so thin, so even though this really works, I just can't lose my hair. I'm going to stop taking it for now and see what happens. I hope I didn't do too much damage to my hair and I get some of it back."

• Sid...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 18, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I am getting considerable migraine relief after a few months on Ajovy, but I won’t be continuing it. My constipation is severe and doesn’t respond to laxatives or anything else. I had a similar side effect on Emgality. Anyone else? My doctor is persistent that there are no side effects. Why? They must know that’s not true. It’s discouraging."