Aimovig Approved for Migraine Prevention

Aimovig is the first CGRP (Calcitonin gene-related peptide) monoclonal antibody to be FDA approved for preventive treatment of migraine in adults. This announcement took place on 5/17/18. The recommended dosage is 70 mg once monthly given as a subcutaneous injection in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.

Details of the best way to prescribe this for all of you interested are being worked out this week by Amgen/Novartis as well as our office. It appears there will be a service request form that needs to be completed and signed by both the patient and the prescribing provider. Two months of free treatment is offered as one of the options. For more information go to www.aimovig.com

Please don’t call the office to ask the staff questions as our office is working out details of how best to get you started on this break-through preventive treatment for migraine. There is no need to rush in for a visit or samples as the free samples will most likely be shipped directly to you for the first 2 months. Many of you are comfortable with self-administered subcutaneous injection and won’t need to come into the office for your first treatment. However, a follow-up visit during the 2 month trial  will be important to pursue insurance coverage for continued use beyond the 2 month free trial.

Please stay tuned. I am very pleased that 2 months of free samples can be an option for almost everyone interested. We will make available the service request form for completion as soon as possible. Hopefully, it can be provided as a link on our website. You would complete your part and return to us electronically or by fax or hard copy in person or mail.  The prescriber would complete her part and the request faxed in. A separate visit to get started may not be necessary if you are up-to-date with your visits and have already discussed CGRP Monoclonal Antibody treatment with one of our providers. There will be a processing fee to cover our time to enroll you in this free 2 month trial. Details on this to follow.

To learn more about this exciting break-through for migraine prevention, please visit www.aimovig.com

Continued good health,

Dr. Susan Hutchinson
Dr. Molly Rossknecht
Orange County Migraine & Headache Center
May 21, 2018