How To Use the Aimovig Self-Injector

By Holly Harding

1 min read

The newly FDA-approved Aimovig self-injector device by Amgen is the talk of the town when it comes to migraine preventatives these days. It blocks a protein, called CGRP, believed to be overproduced by people with chronic migraine. In this video, we demonstrate how to use this self-injector, meant to be self-administered on a monthly basis in the home.

Please refer to this document provided by Amgen for detailed step-by-step information as to how to use the device.

Add your comments and questions in the comment section below to let us know how if you are comfortable with the self-injection process and how well this treatment is working for you.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The Migraine.com team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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annequin-harkin Member
thank you so much! I have been holding down the purple button and not taking my finger off it after the initial click. I still get the yellow window, but I have been doing it wrong! Thank you for making this video!!!
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 Hi Anne- so glad this video helped you out! The process can be a bit confusing. Let us know how the treatment works for you. Warmly, Holly
CaroleLynn Member
Yes, thank you. I too was holding and pressing down on the purple injector the whole time, and as a result it made me press the injector too hard for too long.
lindaann Member
Yes, me too, did not realize you could let go, just did my first injection today!
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 Fabulous! So glad to hear this video was instructive for you. Please check back in and let us know how the treatment is working for you. Fingers crossed. Thanks for chiming in!
poohbear Member
The first two Injections lasted about half a month, the third month it didn't help at all. Not sure what to try now. Triptans give me palpitations. some months I don't get any relief at all day or night. G
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 Hi there, Pooh. I've actually heard several people talk about a drop off in efficacy in month three. Fascinating (and terrible). I'm so sorry. The side effect of palpitations and/or feeling the heart is racing is also a common report. Have you tried any of the other migraine approved treatments? Botox? Gammacore? <a href='https://migraine.com/migraine-treatment' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/migraine-treatment/</a> Thinking of you. Thanks for chiming in and please stay in touch.
2. christievickers Member
 Pooh, did your doc increase to 140 mg? I am at month 3 and had my doc increase mine to 140 mg because I felt the same way. I hope there is not a cap on the efficacy.......
mrst53 Member
My pain clinic doc, said he would proscribe Amovig, He told me how to use it, but will use this video to help. He also said that he has gotten this medicine thru Tricare! there is hope for Medicare yet!
mrst53 Member
I forgot, he said that after 12 months of treatment, the headaches are down to about 2, if you had 15 or more headaches a month.
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 That's great news, about the Tricare, first. Second, the decrease in migraine attack frequency that your doctor reported from 15 to 2 a month is wonderful to hear. My understanding is that there is a wide range in efficacy. Some experience a decrease in frequency of 20%, other's as high as 50%- some even higher. Unfortunately, some patients have been disappointed by their results. Because patients are reporting such a difference in response, it's important to set reasonable expectations. Let us know how it works for you!
pigen51 Member
I just started Aimovig on Dec 4. I have of course not had it long enough to make any judgements, but so far, I have not had a single change. I still have migraine everyday save perhaps 4 days a month. On the plus side, I have not had any side effects either. I know that with a lot of the meds that I try now, since I have been a migraine patient since 1978 or so, I have used most of the normal ones, and so have doctors go off label a lot, and I must pay attention for side effects. One thing that I am not pleased about is the fact that I have piled on an extra 20 pounds, and I am trying to get it back off. It makes my blood pressure tough to control, even with the meds I am on, not only for BP but also as a preventative for migraine. I spoke with my family doctor a few months back, and had him stop prescribing Norco 10's for me. I found myself getting to rely on them so often that I was afraid that it could be a problem. I was getting 30 pills per month, but they only lasted about two weeks. And while I did ok for those two weeks, as far as managing my migraines, the last two weeks of the month were just horrible. Of course, now there are days that I wish I still had the option of taking the only thing that has ever worked as an abortive, that is, a narcotic plus an anti nausea drug like Zofran or Phenergan. If the triptans worked for me, that would be a God send, but they don't. I used the ergotamines before, Cafergot and I think Wigraine, to no avail. And there are some nasty side effects from them anyway. I am hoping that the CGRP inhibitor is the fix for me. I have gotten my hopes dashed so many times before, with things like Botox, and a nerve block, plus some medications, that I quit getting my hopes up with any new treatments. But I find that, once again, I am getting hopeful that Aimovig or one of the other two drugs of the same type work for me. But then again, I may be caught between a rock and a hard place, because after the first two free months, I think my insurance co pay will be over 300$ a month, and I just can't pay that. I mean, if it was a miracle cure, I would find a way, but I am not expecting miracles. I wish those who are also going this route with the CGRP blocker drugs have success, and get to have part of their lives back. I know that many people who have tried it and many doctors all say that it works, at least a little. So here is to better, migraine free days.
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 You do a great job of describing the roller coaster ride of the migraineur as we try, like the guinea pigs we are, every new treatment out there, in a desperate search for pain relief. But with every new treatment - often comes a wash of side effects- sometimes as challenging to navigate as the migraine itself. <a href='https://migraine.com/living-migraine/whack-a-mole-chasing-freedom-from-pain' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/living-migraine/whack-a-mole-chasing-freedom-from-pain/</a> It really is a tricky and long (and expensive) journey. You are not alone in this. Please let us know how the CGRP works out of you after another couple of weeks passes. I think many of us join you in being terrified that it will work and then that we will not be able to afford it. Aimovig does have a program to help offset the cost for the first 12 months. The hope is that after that time, they will have figured things out with health insurance companies and medicare so that it's feasible for the average person. Stay in touch and thanks so much for being a part of our community!
2. luvmyfam22 Member
 Hello pigen51 ~ My heart goes out to you as I can certainly relate to your journey. I have recently started Aimovig, September and was so thrilled the second month I used it. I was about ready to throw some kind of "She's alive!" party! And then...the third month rolled around and NO change what so ever. I was in so much pain and back on my Relpax and Norco like candy missing out on life regularly. I think it was far worse for me to have felt some relief and then gone back to my 'usual' state than to have my hope fed. Well, November dashed my hoped to the point I didn't know what the point was any more and I didn't want to try again. But, I did take my December dose and I have felt relief and I am truly going to trust in this drug that has given me more of my life back than any other med in the distant past. I do not know what the future brings for all of us that are really putting our hopes in Aimovig, but I am going to place a little more hope for next month and the month after, and since I have had my share of the roller coaster ride with this one and seen a little success and am going to put some of my hope to float your way! Please hang in there and I wish the best and great success with Aimovig!!!
faycie Member
My migraines are becoming more frequent. Sometimes 3 in a day and along with a drunk feeling. I was also told I have episodic migraines along with the other ones. So it’s hard to be mellowed/non expressive which brings them on. I’ve been on Relpax 40mg. My Nuerologist thinks I’ve could be rebound migraines. She gave me a free sample of Aimovig 140mg. I took the shots out and watched the video. I was terrified, but I knew I had to use the shots since it’s been out. Watch video couple times that eased my anxiety and injected while watching. It was easy. Today is Jan 6,2019. So I will see happens by Feb. 6, 2019.
1. Joanna Bodner Community Admin
 Hi there @faycie, Great job with the Aimovig! You are absolutely not alone in feeling anxious about the injection. It would be wonderful if you would be willing to keep us all updated on your progress in the weeks & months to come. We do have a forum page dedicated to those that are using the new CGRPs and you can share your experiences here. <a href='https://migraine.com/forum/cgrps-calcitonin-gene-related-peptide' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/forum/cgrps-calcitonin-gene-related-peptide/</a> Best of luck & fingers crossed it brings you the relief you need! Wishing you a good day.
faycie Member
I’ve did more research and saw that women are losing their hair, which was not reported in the leaflet. Any ladies in the board had any problems with hair loss. This is why I stopped Topomax due heavy hair shedding.
1. Joanna Bodner Community Admin
 Hi there @Faycie, We do have a forum page dedicated to those that have tried Aimovig and shared their side effects. <a href="https://migraine.com/topic/experienced-side-effects-aimovig/">You can read more here</a> & join in on any of the conversations if you'd like. 
2. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 HI Faycie! thanks for chiming in. Glad the video helped you a bit in getting over the initial anxiety of the injection. I've certainly heard of a wide array of side effects, but I can also report, as someone who is into month 4 of using Aimovig, that I have not experienced any noticeable side effects whatsoever. Like you, I did experience hair loss and other symptoms (like aphasia- <a href='https://migraine.com/video/secret-more-than-just-headache' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/video/secret-more-than-just-headache/</a>) due to Topamax, but nothing so far with Aimovig. Everyone is different, though, so- time will tell as to how it impacts you. I guess I just wanted to speak up and say it's at least possible to have no issues with this particular treatment. That said, it's not doing wonders in terms of helping me, either! Do keep in touch to let us know how the CGRP blocker is working for you. So glad you're a part of our community.
dinha72 Member
Yesterday was my first day trying Aimovig injection.Today i woke up with a painful migraine and a foggy like felling, like when i have a migraine hangover. Anyone else experinece these symtoms
1. Peggy Artman Moderator
 <inline-mention user-id="3705251" username="dinha72"/> , thank you for sharing your experience with Aimovig. From what I understand, Aimovig and the other CGRP medications have long half-lives. Is it possible that you are having another migraine attack today? Many people here have complained of side effects from a CGRP medication, but your symptoms sound more like a migraine attack. Since you just started Aimovig, it might be a good idea to check with your doctor about your current symptoms just to be sure. ~ Peggy (Migraine.com team)
2. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 Hi dinha72- Thanks so much for your comment and your question. I'm sorry to hear you're struggling with these side effects post-injection. We have a forum dedicated to side effects related to Aimovig that I thought you might be interested in seeing as I think you might find some similarities there: <a href='https://migraine.com/topic/experienced-side-effects-aimovig' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/topic/experienced-side-effects-aimovig/</a>. Feeling any better today? - Warmly, Holly (migraine.com team).