Aimovig and Constipation: What Users Say

• Mon...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 21, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I've been on Aimovig for a year now, and while it's not for everyone, it's worked for me. I've had migraines since I was 6-7 years old, and now, at 40, I'm finally getting some relief. It's not 100%, but to cut down the migraines from 20-25 a month to maybe 10, it's worth it. The only side effect I've had is a little constipation. Please don't let all of the negative reviews scare you off. Just like other migraine preventatives, Aimovig isn't for everyone, but if you're a chronic sufferer like I am, it's worth a shot. Especially if you've done damage to your stomach and liver like I have by taking handfuls of OTC medications to try to stop the pain. When you have migraines every day for years and suddenly you get a break, it's like the sun peeking out from behind the clouds. Try it, what do you have to lose?"

• Man...
• January 24, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "4 months/140mg Aimovig. Result-1/3 less migraines. Great, then side effects start. Constipation-serious problem. Extra script for 3X/day med, didn’t help. No previous issues. Gaining weight rapidly, not eating more. 1st time attributed to holidays. 2nd time, Dr. researched, said weight gain not a side effect & eat healthy grains. I am an intermittent faster and vegan! Gain is flabby belly and thighs; NEVER put weight on like this! Bought Peloton, missed 1 day in 7 weeks, 0 change. Weight gain stops after ending shots but freakish pounds stay. Had med Nov 2019 to February 2020, gained 20 lbs. They say it is out of the system in 5 months, but next month is 1 year since last shot. System is damaged & not repairing. Mentally and physically draining. Also heart palpitations, pressure in eyes & ringing in ears, not part of my life before. Have other issues, but these worry me most. Wish I never heard of Aimovig, never took it and pushed back harder when the side effects started."

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 26, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I was told Aimovig had few side effects. I had six shots and migraines worsened! They kept saying give it time so I did, but it never helped. I got health problems I never had before the shots too! I’m 31 and average weight, and the only health issue I had was migraines! Now my chest hurts, I have weird severe fatigue, high blood pressure, and spikes in heart rate, constipation that became blockage and had surgery, depression, diabetes, and can’t digest food right. It’s a suffering I can’t explain really it’s so bad. I’m scared I’ll be like this the rest of my life. I don’t trust doctors anymore and don’t plan to ever go back. They’re either lying to us or don’t know what they’re doing. Never again!"

• Bab...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 6, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I have taken Aimovig injections for 8 months. I had 15 or more migraines each month. I am experiencing these side effects: Hair loss, Constipation, Stomach pain, Burning tingling all over, Enlarged and sore veins, Fatigue, Joint pain, Headache for three weeks, High heart rate then drops very low into the 40s, High blood pressure, Tremor, Weakness. Then dysautonomic nerve dysfunction was diagnosed after I started the drug. What is being done to alert people taking the injection about these very serious side effects? If I hadn’t been researching this drug’s side effects, I wouldn’t have known. I will follow up with a call to the FDA and file a complaint with Aimovig. There should be a warning on the box. Thank you, Sharon Kerr"

• Kit...
• November 6, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "First injection (70mg) September 24. Suffered many years. Kept a “headache diary” to keep track of how often they occur and the notes on the various meds I have taken for them (preventatives, triptans, etc...). Happily, headaches were down by 70-75% the first month. Had 4 headaches 9/24-9/27, then twinges, then no headaches for many days in a row. Also, if I do feel one coming on, I can go to bed and wake up with no headache which was impossible before because the headaches were unstoppable and became migraines. SIDE EFFECTS: The first month, I had slight nausea on and off for about a week but none after my 2nd injection on 10/24. Worst thing, so far, is severe constipation. (Told doctor.) I hope other people will post remedies they have found for constipation caused by Aimovig. This drug is the first thing I have found to help prevent migraines but adjusting to life with severe bloating and constipation is horrible. I would like to know how to remedy this safely."

• Def...
• October 16, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "31 years old female. Took this for 6 months. Migraines were far fewer and less intense, however, the side effects were absolutely not worth it! Severe constipation, agitation, dizziness, fatigue, feeling like I had a full-blown flu with soreness everywhere, extreme hair loss!!! Heart pain, elevated heart rate, extreme shortness of breath, could hardly walk up a single flight of stairs, brain fog, vertigo. Aimovig was the only change in any medications. I even kept my diet and exercise routine the same during the trial. This is not worth the side effects. Also, who knows about the long-term effects?"

• Pai...
• December 14, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "My experience with Aimovig after the first injection: I was very constipated and bloated, but after a week my migraines were reduced. I noticed my weight going up, which was strange as I was on a 1200 calorie diet and was exercising daily. In month 2, after the second injection, my migraines were shorter and fewer, but my weight increased. I was also bloated. I reduced to a 1000 calorie diet and daily exercise, and after a week, I gained more weight! My stomach was more bloated. I thought I was going nuts. I tried fasting, and my weight did not budge, and I felt so bloated and clogged up. I called the manufacturer. This was not a reported side effect. Well, this is my experience. Too bad I’m going off this drug, which takes months to eliminate, and I will continue to diet and exercise. Before going on Aimovig, I had never gained weight on 1200 calories a day, I had never felt so bloated and clogged up. I hate migraines, but these side effects are scary to me. So disappointed."

• Cat...
• October 1, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "Just took my second injection (70 mg) on Friday. I have seen a dramatic improvement. Almost headache-free. That is why I rated the drug a 10. Not even Botox has worked this well. I am experiencing constipation. Will try Miralax. Definitely worth a try."

• mam...
• January 31, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I have taken six doses of Aimovig and am just so mad at myself that I didn't look into people's experiences and feedback of this med sooner. The first two months I saw a significant decrease in migraine days and was hopeful. In the third month, they were almost back to normal so my doctor put me on the 140mg. It took me a while to clue in to the side effects but they are now intolerable: severe muscle pain in neck and shoulders, gas, bloating, stomach cramping, constipation, and at least 10 pounds of weight gain. I am so mad at myself that I didn't clue in to all of this being about the drug! I feel like the only side effect told is constipation and irritation at the injection site. I will not be taking this again and I would love to know how long it took anyone else to see symptoms decrease."

• Wor...
• October 11, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "This medication has ruined my family’s life for the last month. My son tried Aimovig after years of unsuccessful migraine treatments. The first month wasn’t too bad. He had a significant reduction in migraines (from 4-5/week down to 1-2). The constipation was severe, but he thought he could get a handle on it, so when it was time, he wanted to do his second injection. That second injection flipped our world upside down. Several days after the injection he was struck with crippling fatigue, and the scariest symptom of all, he began hallucinating, then fainted. We rushed him to the ER. After a thorough exam, bloodwork, and EEG, the doctor came to the conclusion that it was most likely triggered by the Aimovig. The last month has been horrible. He can hardly stay awake, and when he’s exhausted, he hallucinates. He’s 18, and we can’t leave him alone. Watching him suffer with this is absolutely heartbreaking. We hate this med and what it’s done to his life."

• Bri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 24, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I took Aimovig once in July 2019. Afterward, I developed full-body neuropathy, severe musculoskeletal pain, tremors in my tongue, hands, and legs, joint pain, muscle weakness, extreme fatigue, ear ringing, cognitive dysfunction, heart palpitations, extreme swings in blood pressure, severe constipation, acid reflux, and bloating, and developed asthma out of nowhere. I've had MRIs, X-rays, an EMG, tons of blood work, and next, I'll be getting a small fiber biopsy. I now take a daily inhaler and two prescriptions for my nerve pain. This drug ruined my life."

• Boo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 20, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I used Aimovig for six months. It absolutely does reduce migraine days. I felt great, except I realized right away that it slowed my guts. Still, without constant migraine, I ran a couple of 5Ks and started training for a half marathon. Unfortunately, by Christmas, Aimovig entirely shut down my intestines. I’ve been off Aimovig for two months, and still I suffer constant pain, horrendous bloating, and the worst constipation. Absolutely nothing works. I went nine days without eating, hoping the swelling would go down a little. Went to the hospital for tests to find out I’m full of poop. I’m becoming depressed because I can only run 2-3 times a week, and I look five months pregnant. I wonder if my digestive system will ever heal. If there is a class action suit, I’ll be the first in line."

• San...
• September 28, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "I have had migraines since 2000. I have tried everything with no real solutions. I was having some type of headache 16-18 days a month with at least 10 of those being migraine level. I hate how the Triptans make my neck hurt and sore throat. I began Aimovig, and have had 4 injections now 70 mg. I have seen my migraines cut back to like 6 total headaches a month. The headaches I do have don’t last, I wake up now in the mornings clear-headed and with no headache hangover. It has been wonderful. I feel reliable again and like I can be dependable. It is costly and come Jan. My deductible will start over. I’m going to try to fit Aimovig into my budget. Side effects: constipation, and joint pain. Some of my joint pain is hereditary. So this side effect may just be a change in the weather. I’m 48!"

• Art...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 4, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I’ve been suffering migraines with aura since I am 13 years old. I injected Aimovig 2 times. 1st month got 3 migraines with aura. 2nd injection so far no migraines. The bad side: flu like symptoms, pain everywhere like I have rheumatoid arthritis, shortness of breath, severe constipation cannot go for 8-10 days, extreme hair loss, depression and anxiety, palpitations, extreme fatigue. I will never take this again. So sad it was stopping the migraine but it is intolerable. My interferon for my blood cancer is better tolerable than this drug it is awful and I am a tough person who do not complaints easily."

• Kri...
• September 18, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "Terrible! I have more migraines now on a level 10 pain scale than I had before. Every single day. The side effects are horrible. I’m not the only one experiencing these either. Losing hair, increased migraines and intensity, extreme fatigue but unable to sleep, severe constipation, joint pain, extreme photophobia (I had to buy special glasses to be able to go to work), and brain fog. There was ONE side effect listed but obviously someone lied. These are the same side effects I’m seeing all over Facebook, so I’m not the only one."

• Nen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 18, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I was given the Aimovig injection less than a month ago. Since then, I have had daily panic attacks, rapid heartbeats, trouble remembering what I was saying, tremors, and blurred vision. I was told that the only side effect I had to worry about was constipation."

• Lag...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 14, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "The initial monthly 70 mg injections gave me relief. I went from daily migraines to weekly, to occasional within a couple of months. But by the 3rd injection, I began feeling off. It wasn't until this week, and I'd already taken my 9th injection, that we were able to figure out why. The constipation, bowel blockage, bloating, burning pain in my back, confusion, deep, horrible depression, dark thoughts, almost acting on dark thoughts more than once, stomach pains, vertigo, chills, night sweats, fatigue, joint pain, muscle aches, numbness in my face, headaches, sinus infections, high liver tests, being sent to an oncologist because my doctor thought I might have cancer, EGD, colonoscopy, MRIs, CTs, MRCP, X-rays, etc., are not worth the relief. This drug needs more research. We spent thousands of dollars thinking something else was wrong only to circle back to Aimovig. I couldn't believe there are several patients whose symptoms mirror mine on this site as well. Ugh."

• TKa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 23, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "Started this injection last month, and I can't wait for it to get out of my system. I was absolutely manic the first week: high energy, couldn't slow down, and insomnia! Also have had shortness of breath, chest pains, weight gain, stomach is bloated, SEVERE constipation (have been on stool softeners, laxatives with no results, and fiber, nothing helps), headaches are still there, swelling, and body aches. I have more side effects I'm sure, but I will NOT take this med again."

• Lyr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 22, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I had one initial injection and became so constipated I had to start taking senna tablets to get things moving because no amount of water would do the trick. It got rid of my headaches for about five days, and then they came back. It’s now been six weeks since the initial injection, and I do not plan to take it again because I am still having digestive issues and an outbreak of chronic mouth ulcers and canker sores, the worst case I’ve ever had. It actually feels like this drug destroyed the lining in my mouth. I have read that it takes five months to get it out of my system, and I hope I am rid of this problem well before then. Do not underestimate the side effects of this drug in spite of the fact that they say constipation is primarily the only drawback. Trust your instincts."

• bre...
• November 16, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I have been on Aimovig for 3 months. On the 1st dose, I knew something wasn't quite right; my digestive system almost completely shut down with severe constipation. I did not see the comments from other people having this problem until it was happening to me. I have been eating laxatives and other things just to go to the bathroom. I would not begin this medication if you read the reviews. It paralyzes your digestive system; it is horrible. I would rather have my migraines back and go back to taking all of the medication I was on. If you read this and continue to take these meds with CGRP blockers in them, I can only hope the best for you. One last word: all of the migraine shots currently on the market have CGRP blockers in them, which has the same effect. For my last dose, I switched to Ajovy; SAME results. Best of luck; just waiting for this to get out of my system."

• Cha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 15, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "My brain felt foggy, confused, and not able to focus on necessary thoughts. I am familiar with chronic constipation, but this constipation was life-altering. I had the sensation that my body was made of a hard substance like cement. Laxatives had no effect whatsoever. After 3 months of injection, I felt it was obvious that I should discontinue use. My prescribing doctor did not bother to return my phone call or text. Very, very scary. Those symptoms remained but started to subside. At that point, however, I was struck with vertigo for the first time. Had to go to the ER by ambulance. Since this, I have had an episode where I woke from a nap with altered speech. I also have ongoing full body and back pain. Multiple neurologists and rheumatologists have been called on to help me recover. Whether this latest episode was a vertiginous migraine or a stroke is yet to be determined. I will never again use a 'new' RX. I feel like a lab rat. People beware."

• Ran...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 8, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I've read all the horror stories on here about Aimovig and was a bit skeptical of taking it, but nothing else has worked over the past decade, so I went and tried it. For me, I still have regular nausea and the occasional constipation, but my migraine days have dropped by a crazy amount and everything is a lot less foggy than pre-erenumab/Aimovig. Obviously, it isn't going to work for everyone, but for me, it has changed my life."

• JBS...
• January 26, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I was having several migraines monthly. My insurance company covered me for the Aimovig 70 mg, and I began the monthly injections. I noticed that it worked immediately, preventing my migraines, but I began to crave sugar and struggled to keep the weight off. Then, I needed to change insurance companies, and I was covered for the 140 mg, so my doctor switched me to the 140 mg. I used the 140 mg for a two-month period, and I began to feel exhausted, fatigued, achy, an increase in appetite, and sugar cravings. I am a dance teacher who teaches weekly, but I have gained 12 pounds since going on Aimovig. My doctor had originally told me the only side effect is constipation, but after reading others' experiences with this drug, I am relieved to know that I am not alone. I am going off Aimovig completely to get my weight and energy level back under control and will take my Imitrex when needed."

• Geo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 21, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "Aimovig reduced the number of migraines, and for many months I thought it was life-changing. Unfortunately, I’ve been overwhelmed with side effects and have stopped taking it. Since taking Aimovig, I’ve been having chronic indigestion, severe constipation, hair loss, and depression. I hope that side effects reverse over time."

• She...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 19, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "I took my first shot on May 8. I wish I never did. Told barely any side effects. Had migraines for over 20 years. This medicine did stop my headaches so far in the three weeks on it. BUT... now suffering from severe constipation. I'm taking every laxative under the sun daily or twice daily. Palpitations almost every day. Racing, fluttering heart, which my Fitbit is showing. No energy. And ringing in my ears. I can't wait for this to wear off. It's not worth it. Hope I can get regular bowel motion again. And yes, the fuzziness in the brain. Every side effect was immediately after the first and only injection. The miracle turned into a nightmare."