 A Norwegian syringe of fremanezumab | |
| Monoclonal antibody | |
|---|---|
| Type | Whole antibody |
| Source | Humanized |
| Target | Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) α, β |
| Clinical data | |
| Trade names | Ajovy |
| Other names | TEV-48125, fremanezumab-vfrm |
| AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
| MedlinePlus | a618053 |
| License data | |
| Pregnancy category | |
| Routes of administration | Subcutaneous |
| Drug class | Calcitonin gene-related peptide antagonist |
| ATC code | |
| Legal status | |
| Legal status | |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | |
| DrugBank | |
| ChemSpider |
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| UNII | |
| KEGG | |
| Chemical and physical data | |
| Formula | C6470H9952N1716O2016S46 |
| Molar mass | 145507.54 g·mol−1 |
Fremanezumab, sold under the brand nameAjovy, is amedication used to preventmigraines.[6][8] It is given bysubcutaneous injection (injection under the skin).[6][8]
The most common side effect is pain and redness at the site of injection.[8] Other side effects include allergic reactions.[8] It is acalcitonin gene-related peptide antagonist.[6][8]
It was approved for medical use in the United States in 2018,[8] the European Union in 2019,[7] the United Kingdom in 2020,[4] and Argentina by September 2021.[9]
Fremanezumab isindicated for the preventive treatment of migraine in adults; and the preventive treatment of episodic migraine in children who are aged 6 to 17 years of age and who weigh 45 kilograms (99 lb) or more.[6]
Fremanezumab was shown to be effective in adults with four or more attacks per month.[10]
The most common adverse reactions are located at the injection site, which occurred in 43 to 45% of people in studies (as compared to 38% underplacebo).Hypersensitivity reactions occurred in fewer than 1% of patients.[6][11]
Fremanezumab does not interact with other antimigraine drugs such astriptans,ergot alkaloids andanalgesics. It is expected to generally have a low potential for interactions, because it is not metabolized bycytochrome P450 enzymes.[6]
Fremanezumab is a fully humanizedmonoclonal antibody directed againstcalcitonin gene-related peptides (CGRP) alpha and beta.[12] It potently and selectively binds to CGRPs, which prevents binding to receptors.
Aftersubcutaneous injection, fremanezumab has abioavailability of 55–66%. Highest concentrations in the body are reached after five to seven days. Like other proteins, the substance is degraded byproteolysis to smallpeptides andamino acids, which are reused or excreted via the kidney. Theelimination half-life is estimated to be 31 days.[11]
Fremanezumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody.[13] It is produced usingrecombinant DNA inChinese hamster ovary cells.[6]
Fremanezumab was discovered and developed byRinat Neuroscience, was acquired byPfizer in 2006, and was then licensed toTeva.[14] It was approved by the USFood and Drug Administration in September 2018.[15] In March 2019, fremanezumab was approved for marketing and use in the European Union.[7][16]
