Erenumab is an innovative active substance produced in the form of an injection designed to prevent and reduce the intensity of migraine pain in people with 4 or more episodes per month. This drug is the first and only monoclonal antibody specifically designed for the prevention of migraine and is being developed by the Novartis and Amgen laboratories, scheduled for release in the United States under the trade name Aimovig at the end of 2018.
Migraine is characterized by an intense and pulsating headache that can reach only one side and may be accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, light sensitivity, neck pain and difficulty concentrating. Learn more about the symptoms of migraine.
The results of the studies with Erenumab were very positive, with a reduction in half the number of migraines and also the duration of pain episodes, with administrations of doses of 70 mg and 140 mg. In addition, this drug has been well tolerated and no side effects have been reported.
How Erenumab Works
Erenumab is a human monoclonal antibody that works by blocking the peptide receptor related to the calcitonin gene, which is a chemical compound present in the brain that is involved with the activation of migraine and the duration of pain.
The peptide related to the calcitonin gene is believed to play a key role in the pathophysiology of migraine, with binding to its receptors involved in the transmission of migraine pain. In people with migraine, levels of this peptide increase at the onset of the episode, returning to normal after pain relief with drug therapy used to treat migraine, or when the attack disappears.
Thus, Erenumab may not only reduce migraine episodes, but may also reduce the use of currently used migraine medications, which have many side effects.
