Ajovy and Weight Gain: 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."

• Gha...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 31, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "Ajovy has been great at reducing/almost eliminating migraines, however, the weight gain has been 30 lbs in about 1.5 years. The doctors refuse to acknowledge any side effect that is not listed on the insert, of which there are none except for a rash at the injection site. Also, I have strange dizziness. Who really believes that there are no side effects?"

• Jer...
• February 9, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "Ajovy was my miracle drug. Chronic Migraine and Cluster Headache days went from 15-20 down to 2-3 and much milder if they did occur. After that first 12 months, (Insurance) I was switched to Aimovig, which had very little effect, and after trying for 2 months, I gave up. Ubrelvy, unfortunately, failed as well. After appealing insurance, Ajovy was approved. Once again back on it, and now my headaches are stabilized for 9 months, which is awesome. But I have since noticed an unexplained weight gain of 15 pounds (I follow a strict ketogenic diet) which I brushed off due to pandemic stress over the last year. I'm also now experiencing chronic fatigue, head pressure, dizziness, restless leg syndrome, panic attacks, and chronic insomnia. I can't help but wonder if it's the Ajovy (CGRP use)? I'm stopping it for a while to see if any of these possible side effects resolve. 15-pound weight gain is one thing, not sleeping at all, and being physically exhausted on a daily basis is another."

• nae...
• May 16, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I was told by my neurologist this drug had no side effects. The injection did not hurt, and it did take away the pain and pressure in my head. I didn’t realize until after the 3rd injection that I was having an allergic reaction. After the first one, I had some dark redness on the skin by my eye. I didn’t realize it was from the injection. After the second injection, the redness was worse, but I still didn’t put it together. After the 3rd injection, it was red all around my eyes, swollen underneath my left eye, and my chest and shoulders were red. I thought it was from the COVID vaccine. But then I put it together from the other 2 injections. Then I found the user reviews on here. And I all of a sudden realized... weight gain, bloating badly in the stomach, anxiety, fatigue, dizziness, and more were side effects symptoms from Ajovy, and I was thinking those things were caused by something else because I was TOLD BY A NEUROLOGIST THIS DRUG HAD NO SIDE EFFECTS! I am very grateful I had that allergic reaction and had to stop the injections."

• 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."

• Amy...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 13, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I've been suffering with migraines since the age of 10. I'm now 36. My first Ajovy injection was in November 2018. I feel like it has cut down my migraines a lot. But every time I inject Ajovy, I feel extremely tired and dizzy for a couple of weeks following the injection. Also, I feel like I'm losing hair and gaining a little weight. I haven't changed my physical activity or eating habits. Is anyone else experiencing this? I tried to tell my Neurologist, but he says there's no way Ajovy is causing this because these are not side effects listed by the company."

• Ave...
• June 29, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I’ve been taking Ajovy for almost 2 years. I’m stopping because although it mostly got rid of my daily headaches (Hemicrania Continua), I’ve gained 17 pounds. I have circulation issues in my legs, knees, feet, and hands. Also, it causes more anxiety and exhaustion. So, I’ve decided to take myself off. I guess there’s always pros and cons to all medications, but these side effects are really upsetting. I'm sad because the shots really got rid of my headache. By the way, I’m a female in my 50s."

• Rus...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 12, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I have been taking Ajovy for 8 months now and it’s a mixed bag of results. I have had daily headaches since I was a teen, along with migraines 2-3 times a month. I tried Botox but it had no effect. I was on Topamax for ages but still woke up daily with a headache. The first Ajovy injection was like a miracle! My daily headaches were 90% gone. And zero breakthrough migraines. About 3 months in, I started having bloating and noticed a steady increase in my weight even though my diet and exercise hadn’t changed. I felt so bad that I went to my GYN and was checked for ovarian cancer. Thank goodness that was negative. The bloating has since resolved, but not the weight gain. I’ve now gained 20 pounds and I’m done with Ajovy. I will go back to Topamax and work on losing these pounds."

• Don...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 1, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I was on the Ajovy shot for 11 months. It ABSOLUTELY got rid of my migraines (went from 15 migraines a month to less than 1 a month). BUT I gained 20 pounds, not sure if it is from the Ajovy or from going off the Topamax, or both. And the scariest part of all was that on multiple occasions, my neck would seize up and I would lose range of motion... it was like the migraine was “stuck” in my neck. I had to go for physical therapy. It was there that my PT suggested going off the Ajovy and trying to address the mechanical (cervicogenic) issues that were perhaps causing the migraines. With regular PT treatment and stretching, I am almost migraine-free again! No more scary neck issues. And I don’t have to worry about any long-term unknown side effects from Ajovy."

• GG2...
• June 21, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I have been a migraine sufferer for 17 years, with 3-4 migraines a week. I was hesitant to try Ajovy, my doctor indicated no side effects, which is why I gave it a go! The first month... godsend, not 1 migraine, so I thought I found my holy grail. However, I could not figure out why I seemingly gained 7 pounds in 1 month. After reading this blog, the weight gain is real! Unfortunately, I just administered my second and last injection today. I wish I had read this blog sooner. Thank you, everyone!"

• Lad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 26, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I have been on Ajovy monthly injections for five months. It did help with the migraines at first, but I have gained almost 25 lbs, my blood pressure is extremely high when it used to be low, and I have had bleeding between periods. I am going off of it because the side effects are worse than the migraines."

• Dis...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 14, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "The first month on Ajovy, I was thrilled, I had gone from 15-20 headaches to 2 minor ones. I am now on month 9 and am quitting. My experiences have been too varied and a little scary. Months 5 and 6 produced severe neck pain 6 days after the injection. I experienced joint pain in my knees and hips. I have put on weight. And in the last three weeks, my hair has begun falling out. I am finished. The headache severity has lessened, but at what 'future' unknown expense?"

• Hop...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 14, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I took Ajovy for 2 months. Although it worked almost instantly, it came with side effects. It was as if there was a band pulling at my stomach tighter and tighter. The pressure was too much for me. I also gained almost 10 pounds in that short period. I’m now back on Aimovig. It worked for 2 years but not as well as Ajovy. Just less side effects for me. Unfortunately, as we all try these medications, we find more side effects than listed. Some are worth the try. Good luck to all."

• 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."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 6, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I've done 5 months of Ajovy injections, and I'm feeling horrible. This past month, I have had an increase in migraines! My weight continues to go up, and I have uncharacteristic daily bouts of crying. I cry every single day, which is not at all normal for me. I'm dizzy and unsteady from another health condition, however, this feels worse."

• 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."

• Soc...
• February 8, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I have been on Ajovy for over 6 months, and it has helped significantly, however, I have just linked a lot of 'issues' I have been dealing with as Ajovy side effects. Shortly after starting Ajovy, I started with severe itching on my scalp, along with this 'tightness' in my scalp, which can only be described as tight bands across my scalp. I also have this feeling that my hair is tight to my scalp, as well as the texture of my hair has changed, too. Shortly after this began, I started losing my hair on the top of my head. I have also gained weight, developed chest tightness, and have been very anxious! I am disappointed that I did not figure this out sooner, as these side effects have made me very depressed and self-conscious. Unfortunately, I just gave myself another injection prior to figuring this out, but that will be my LAST shot! I hope with stopping this drug these side effects will dissipate, and I will finally be able to grow my hair back and have a 'normal' feeling on my scalp."

• Jle...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 23, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "Ajovy did seem to help a little bit with my migraines, however, the side effects are definitely not worth it. I have gained over 30 lbs in the 7 months I’ve been on it, despite working out more. I have not changed anything else. It also gives me a rash for about 2 weeks at the injection site. I could get past the rash, but the weight gain is unimaginable."

• All...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 27, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "49, migraines started at 12 years old and I tried lots of different drugs over the years. Topamax was the worst. I took the 1st Ajovy shot on 10-31-18 and had no migraines and no bad reactions. Then, on 12/18, I noticed weight gain and bruising under my skin on forearms and shins, but still migraine-free. Now fast forward to May 2019, and I had gained 28 pounds and was covered in red blotches. I saw a hematologist and took the last Ajovy shot on May 31, 2019, then I had a major migraine on July 6. I was switched to Emgality on July 12 per neurologist and had severe edema in legs and feet and a general feeling of exhaustion. I am having to take spironolactone to keep swelling at bay and have gained 5 more pounds, and the bruising has come back. I am being referred to MUSC. I have not had a migraine while on the Emgality, but several bad sinus-type headaches. I might be unable to tolerate this type of drug. The weight gain and bruising are depressing as the drugs did work on my migraines."

• Gra...
• November 25, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "Ajovy has been a very bad experience, unfortunately. Prior to Ajovy, I had migraines 3 times a week with usual photophobia. After Ajovy, migraines daily, often twice daily. I now wonder will they go back to 3 times per week when Ajovy leaves the system completely after 5 and a half months. Weight gain 2 stone so far from Ajovy and extra triptan use. Very disappointed."

• Tay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 4, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "Not a fan of this medicine, Ajovy! It helped my migraines a little at first... but then stopped helping. I also experienced a TON of bad side effects: bad nausea, vertigo, hair loss, and weight gain. I’ve weighed 112 pounds for years, and I now weigh 120 pounds and haven’t changed eating habits or anything. I feel like crying because I’ve gained this weight for no reason, and it won’t go away, but I’m not going to get any more injections, so hopefully my body will go back to normal."

• Woo...
• July 15, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "Daily headaches have improved! I’m really only getting headaches during my period, which is an improvement, but I gained 12 lbs within 3 months of starting the drug. I’m 8 months in and may discontinue or switch to one of the others and see what happens."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 5, 2023

For Migraine Prevention "Absolutely life-changing. I have gone from chronic migraine to experiencing very rare migraines. Any pain I do get is controlled very quickly with ibuprofen or Panadeine. I have definitely put on some weight, but I will take that over a migraine any day. Definitely worth trying. I have my life back."

• Kim...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 16, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I have been on Ajovy for a little over a year. In that year, I have gained 40 lbs. It works great for my migraines, though. I am considering going off and back to Emgality. I had fewer issues with Emgality. The amount of weight I have gained was definitely not from an eating problem. The weight gain is causing more issues physically, such as my fibro flares. Probably going to go back to Emgality. 40 lbs weight gain in a year is ridiculous. When I take the injection, I feel crummy the next day and just overall yucky for that week after the injection. Great for migraines, but not so good in general on your body."