Ajovy and Nausea: 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."

• Mim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "Prescribed Ajovy for my chronic migraines. Have had 4 injections now, with the last one on 29/09/2022. Ajovy has been life-changing for my migraines and I went from 20+ a month to under 10. However, it has not been without significant side effects. The neurologist told me side effects could include injection site pain and/or constipation. Since I started Ajovy, I have experienced extreme fatigue, ongoing nausea, hair loss, weight gain, depression (with suicidal ideation), anxiety, brain fog, and a general feeling of restlessness. I am now almost 7 weeks post-injection, and finally some of the symptoms have eased, and I am beginning to feel somewhat normal again. Throughout my experience, I doubted myself many times and thought I was going crazy as none of these symptoms were listed as side effects. However, I can now clearly see the connection. I'm sharing my experience for anyone else that is experiencing similar side effects and also doubting their experience."

• Diz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 30, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "My experience with this drug has been horrific. I injected it 2 weeks ago and have been sick ever since. It has doubled the amount of migraines that I get. I have also had severe dizziness and vertigo, along with heart palpitations and anxiety. It has given me neck and muscle pain as well. I am nauseous and can't sleep. This drug listed no side effects but injection site reaction, which I did not get. I expect to be sick for at least the full month that this drug will be in my system. This is not the miracle drug I was expecting. Teva is definitely not being forthcoming."

• 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."

• Pur...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 13, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I had my first dose on the 24th of June 2021. The injection intensified the migraine pain by at least 40% and made them last 24/7, only dropping to mild for one hour before cramping back up again, so I had to lie in a fully dark room with an ice pack and eye mask. I tried codeine, but it had no effect. The nausea and stomach cramps were really intense. I had to take Xanax to try to relax the pain on my left side, neck, and shoulder too. The whole experience left me shaken. The neurologist has taken me off it because she said she doesn't have much experience with it. They offered no antidote or pain relief, I have to just ride out the two weeks I have it left in my system. Teva needs to be more transparent with their medication side effects with Ajovy."

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 19, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "Has anyone else experienced nausea so bad that has been going on for over a month. Seriously lost my appetite. Vertigo so bad that it wakes me in the middle of the night several times of spinning with no movements. Anxiety I have never experienced. 3 injections in and I’m done!"

• Jud...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 18, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "At first, I felt like this was a miracle and I was having way fewer headaches and significantly less severe. In recent months, my symptoms have changed significantly and are more frequent. Rather than starting up the side of my neck, I start feeling nauseous and/or agitated. I am also having a lot more visual and word recall disturbance but not pain. It often takes me a few days until I figure out that I have a migraine as it is manifesting so differently. Then, when I do take an Imitrex and some Advil, it does go away. Wondering if others have experienced this kind of change in how their headaches manifest?"

• diz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "The neurologist put me on a monthly Ajovy injection after many other meds failed. Was told the main side effects would be soreness at the injection site and a bit of nausea. The experience has been terrible for me. Made me extremely nauseous, dizzy, weak, exhausted, and I've been having tons of pain in my legs, they ache and hurt all the time, even when I'm doing nothing. Leg pain has been so bad it hurts just walking around my home. The doctor did a spine MRI to rule out MS and I'm being referred to a rheumatologist to check for fibro or arthritis. They downplay the side effects, but Ajovy has been awful for me. I'm discontinuing and pursuing Botox."

• diz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 16, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "The neurologist put me on a monthly Ajovy injection after many other meds failed. Was told the main side effects would be soreness at the injection site and a bit of nausea. The experience has been terrible for me. Made me extremely nauseous, dizzy, weak, exhausted, and I've been having tons of pain in my legs, they ache and hurt all the time, even when I'm doing nothing. Leg pain has been so bad it hurts just walking around my home. The doctor did a spine MRI to rule out MS and I'm being referred to a rheumatologist to check for fibro or arthritis. They downplay the side effects, but Ajovy has been awful for me. I'm discontinuing and pursuing Botox."

• Jen...
• September 7, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I suffered from chronic migraines and cluster migraines. I would have around only 7 headache-free days a month. It was unbearable. I tried so many different medications and shots over the years. This medication gave me my life back. The first month, I saw a 50% reduction, and the second month it’s even better than that. When I do have a headache now, it’s more like a dull ache instead of that intense pain. I still have some nausea with my headaches when I get them, but again, the improvement is huge. I'm not actively vomiting anymore. All in all, I rate this a 10. It’s easy to use and is working for me beautifully. This is only my 3rd month, and I'm using it monthly vs quarterly, so I know that it’s most likely still going to improve. Either way, I can work and spend time enjoying life with my kids again. I'm very happy."

• Pin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 25, 2023

For Migraine Prevention "I was given a sample of Ajovy on Wednesday by my doctor. Gave myself the injection Thursday morning. By Thursday afternoon, I was hit with a wave of absolute exhaustion and slight dizziness. Friday was mostly the same. Woke up this morning (Saturday) with horrible dizziness, which is making me nauseous. I take no other medication, and nothing else has changed. Definitely will not be continuing with this medication, no matter how it works for my migraines. This isn't safe or healthy. I can only hope it works its way out of my system quickly. Is there some way to flush this out?"

• Mrs...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 13, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "Injection #1 slight nausea/fatigue 24-48 hrs then amazing results. No help with visual disturbances. Did lessen seizure episodes 80%. Injection #2 bad nausea/fatigue lasting 3/4 days. Depression, anxiety got bad, had to go on meds/see therapist. Last week was only time having any migraine like it was wearing off. Started having Alice in Wonderland syndrome. Injection #3 horrible - felt like I had the flu for a week. Constant fatigue/3.5 wks. The worst seizure, migraine pain, and tremors. Week 1. Bloating (look prego), turns out is fluid in abdominal cavity due to the problems it has caused my liver and kidney functions. Memory issues gotten worse. Please ask for a liver function panel from your PCP after injection 2/3. Medications can be hard on your liver. This proved to be too much for mine and the primary cause of fatigue. Also had a small area of skin cancer that should not have spread but is now spreading rapidly. If you can tolerate Ajovy without serious side effects, it really is a migraine miracle, and I wish I was able to keep using."

• Mrs...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 13, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "Injection #1 slight nausea/fatigue 24-48 hrs then amazing results. No help with visual disturbances. Did lessen seizure episodes 80%. Injection #2 bad nausea/fatigue lasting 3/4 days. Depression, anxiety got bad, had to go on meds/see therapist. Last week was only time having any migraine like it was wearing off. Started having Alice in Wonderland syndrome. Injection #3 horrible - felt like I had the flu for a week. Constant fatigue/3.5 wks. The worst seizure, migraine pain, and tremors. Week 1. Bloating (look prego), turns out is fluid in abdominal cavity due to the problems it has caused my liver and kidney functions. Memory issues gotten worse. Please ask for a liver function panel from your PCP after injection 2/3. Medications can be hard on your liver. This proved to be too much for mine and the primary cause of fatigue. Also had a small area of skin cancer that should not have spread but is now spreading rapidly. If you can tolerate Ajovy without serious side effects, it really is a migraine miracle, and I wish I was able to keep using."

• Wob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 5, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "Within 24 hours of my first injection, I was in a constant state of dizziness. The following day, I was not only dizzy, but nauseous with a horrible migraine and vomiting. That lasted 2 days, I phoned the nurse advise line, and she instructed me to just ride it out. The symptoms began to dissipate, so I thought I was over it. Nay-Nay. Day 7 after the injection, the dizziness has returned, I'm hoping the running to the restroom is not returning as well. I am very anxious to have this medication take its course and leave my body. I've had migraines for 45 years, this has been the worst. I'm happy for those that it does offer relief, I am not one of those. I posted this because these symptoms are not even listed on the packaging, and I want others to know they are not only possible but VERY real. I am unable to score it a negative number, so as you read it, please place a negative in front of the number 1 in your own mind."

• pre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 26, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "I’ll gladly keep my migraines if I can just get this awful drug out of my system. It has only been four days, and side effects seem to be worsening each day. I felt like I was falling asleep immediately after the first shot in the doctor's office. I was told that’s not a side effect when I reported it. I also told her I felt very dizzy and was told it’s in my head. I’ve spent the last 4 days in bed feeling nauseous, depressed, and extremely anxious. I can’t sleep. I can’t function. I have a history of anxiety and depression, and my neurologist told me that wasn’t a concern. Yet, my anxiety and depression are the worst they’ve been in years. I am miserable. Oh, and I have a migraine too. I wish I could get it out of me now because I am terrified of more side effects over the next month."

• Ani...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 12, 2022

For Migraine Prevention "After many years of suffering head pain, I was started on Ajovy injections after Botox therapy had started to become less effective. I was told no side effects whatsoever. It was a miracle medication's breakthrough. I tried to find out about any problems with this injection but couldn't find anything significant. I am always very cautious when I am told 'no side effects' with any drug. However, I had the Ajovy injection, and within 24 hours, I was experiencing terrible side effects: palpitations, profuse sweating, bad stomach, severe bloatedness, dizziness, mental health weakness in my legs that I was unable to walk properly, blurred vision, fever, nausea. It was absolutely horrendous. I was promised this all had nothing to do with Ajovy and was told to take the second injection, which I did, but the same worsening side effects occurred: weight gain instant, 7 lbs in a month, tummy huge bloating. Totally horrified by this drug. I have never experienced being so ill on a medication as I have with Ajovy."

• Noh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 25, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I started with Emgality, but had a severe injection site reaction, so neuro switched me to Ajovy. Had a horrific migraine the next morning and all weekend. Have had double the migraines this month, and they last longer and are not as receptive to Maxalt. Increased nausea and dizziness as well. I will not take this ever again."

• 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!"

• Kim...
• May 24, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "Less than a week from the injection, my migraines were much more intense; increased nausea and vomiting, and pain was off the chart! Also, the frequency has worsened in that the migraines are more frequent, which I didn't think was possible. I have chronic migraines, at least 20-25 a month. This injection was not helpful but rather harmful."

• Mon...
• November 21, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I started taking Ajovy 6 months ago! This drug had reduced my episodes of migraines by 40-50%, and I’m happy with that. However, I have experienced 7 lbs weight gain since I started, as well as chronic nausea, fatigue, vertigo, and now I’m noticing that this medication is acting as a blood thinner. I cut my finger cutting some vegetables, and I started bleeding a lot, which is abnormal for me! I cleaned the cut and applied Neosporin and a Band-Aid and sat down to watch a movie that lasted close to an hour and a half. As I went to the bathroom and washed my hands, I took the Band-Aid off, and immediately I started to bleed a lot again, like if I just got cut. I’m pretty scared and concerned about the side effects of this drug. I wonder about the long-term effects on your overall health."

• CDo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 13, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "It stings during injection, but that's it. For two to three days after, I felt on and off nausea all day. Nothing more. I will ask for something this time around. My migraines were either totally gone or reduced for nearly three weeks starting from the first day. My overall body pain also seemed somewhat reduced. The migraines did start to come back normally around week three. I'm due in a couple of days for my second injection. I was shocked. I was terrified because I have tried everything. I suffered from all the horrible side effects from trying new drugs and diagnostics for 20+ years. Nothing but pain meds helped me, and we all know how it feels in this day and age to be someone who relies on pain meds. You will still need them, but I am grateful for any reduction."

• BAR...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I suffer from daily migraines. First two doses were rough. Fatigue and nausea for 3-4 days after injection. Fatigue and nausea not as acute with 3rd dose. Hang in there and have since had 3 more doses. Fatigue only lasts about a day and no more nausea. Now to the headaches: dose one and two, very little improvement. Dose 3, some improvement. But after dose 4, huge improvement. I sometimes go three consecutive weeks without a headache. It's been a miracle drug for me. I'm very happy I hung in there until the 4th and consecutive doses."

• ros...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 3, 2023

For Migraine Prevention "At four weeks after one injection: a reduction of three migraine days (usually approximately 16 days monthly). Vivid dreams; difficulty in falling asleep; extreme, incapacitating dizziness; breakthrough migrainous symptoms (nausea and vertigo) fading then reoccurring within seconds; strangely, no sharp or throbbing half-head pain; word finding/speaking coherently difficult; usual triptan and metoclopramide not as effective."

• Wan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 23, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "54 y/o W. F. After Caremark/CVS denied my appeal to stay on Aimovig (which had been a miracle med - after 14 years of 8-14 days to 4/month migraine), I was told I had to 'fail' on 2 other meds. Certainly met the mark for me with Ajovy. Horrible nausea and GI distress starting a week after injection, then psoriasis and related arthritis flared up, missed more days than I worked this month. Now I have to again go off the med to try another if my neurologist cannot get the appeal approved. I am glad it has worked for others, but will not ever take it again."

• Jak...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 17, 2023

For Migraine Prevention "Been on Ajovy for 2.5 months, so 2 injections. Didn’t really notice any side effects for the first month, but been having crazy sweating, crying fits, insomnia, CONSTANT diarrhea, and nausea with a few bouts of actual vomiting. Can’t say the Ajovy is to blame, but I will not be taking it again as it was the only new “anything” in my life. Headaches did get better, but I’m miserable 95% of the time, so I’d rather the migraines."