What is the Difference Between Ajovy and Emgality

Ajovy and Emgality are two drugs that belong to a drug class called calcitonin-gene related peptide (CGRP) antagonists. They are also known as CGRP inhibitors. CGRP is thought to play a role in migraine and cluster headache. These two drugs can prevent migraines.

The key difference between Ajovy and Emgality is their effects. Ajovy is a drug used to prevent only migraine headaches, while Emgality is a drug used to prevent both migraine headaches and episodic cluster headaches.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Ajovy  
3. What is Emgality
4. Similarities – Ajovy and Emgality
5. Ajovy vs Emgality in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Ajovy vs Emgality
7. FAQ – Ajovy and Emgality

What is Ajovy?

Ajovy is also known as fremanezumab-vfrm. This drug is a monoclonal antibody. It binds to calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) ligand and blocks its binding to the receptor. This drug is normally given to the patient as a subcutaneous injection. Moreover, the recommended dose of Ajovy for the prevention of migraine is 225 mg injected under the skin every month.

Figure 01: Ajovy

In a clinical trial, it was proved people who took Ajovy had about 3-4 less migraine days per month compared to about 2 less in people taking a placebo. Furthermore, this drug is currently manufactured by a manufacturer called Teva Pharmaceuticals.

What is Emgality?

Emgality is also a CGRP inhibitor like Ajovy. The generic name for this medication is Galcanezumab. Moreover, this medication is used to prevent migraine in adults and episodic cluster headache in adults. In a recent research study, it was found that people who took this medication over a 6-month period experienced 4 less migraine headache days per month compared to 2 less days per month in people taking a placebo.

Figure 02: Emgality

The recommended dose of Emgality for prevention of migraine is 240 mg injected under the skin as a loading dose. Then 120 mg of this drug should be injected once a month thereafter. Furthermore, this medication is currently manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company.

Similarities Between Ajovy and Emgality

1. Ajovy and Emgality are two monoclonal antibodies used to prevent migraines.
2. Both are CGRP inhibitors.
3. They are used in adults.
4. Both of these are injected subcutaneously.
5. Both of these have side effects.

Difference Between Ajovy and Emgality

Definition

1. Ajovy is a monoclonal antibody that is used to prevent only migraines.
2. Emgality is a monoclonal antibody that is used to prevent both migraines and cluster headaches.

Generic Name

1. The generic name of Ajovy is fremanezumab.
2. The generic name of Emgality is Galcanezumab.

Effectiveness

1. People who took Ajovy experienced about 3–4 fewer migraine days per month, compared to about 2 fewer days in those taking a placebo.
2. People who took Emgality over a six-month period experienced 4 fewer migraine days per month, compared to 2 fewer days in those taking a placebo.

Recommended Dosages

1. The recommended dose of Ajovy for the prevention of migraine is 225 mg injected under the skin every month.
2. The recommended dose of Emgality for the prevention of migraine is 240 mg injected under the skin as a loading dose.  Then 120 mg of Emgality should be injected once a month thereafter.

Side Effects

1. The side effects of Ajovy chest tightness, swelling of face, lips, tongue, or any other body part, drop in blood pressure, rash, itching, hives, stomach pain or vomiting.
2. The side effects of Emgality are breathing problems, racing heart rate, fever, swollen lymph nodes, swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat, trouble swallowing, itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives, itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives, nausea and vomiting.

Manufacturer

1. Ajovy is currently manufactured by a manufacturer called Teva Pharmaceuticals.
2. Emgality is currently manufactured by a manufacturer Eli Lilly and Company.

The following table summarizes the difference between Ajovy and Emgality.

Summary – Ajovy vs Emgality

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antagonists are emerging therapies for migraine treatment. Both Ajovy and Emgality are CGRP inhibitors. They bind to calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) ligand and block its binding to the receptor, hence preventing migraines. However, Ajovy is used to prevent only migraines while Emgality is used to prevent both the migraines and cluster headaches. This summarizes the difference between Ajovy and Emgality.

FAQ: Ajovy and Emgality

1. What is the difference between migraine and cluster headaches?

• A migraine is a severe pain or throbbing, normally on one side of the head. Cluster headaches are painful headaches that are shorter in duration. But they also recur over a period of a few months and are followed by a period of remission up to a few years.

2. Does Ajovy work immediately?

• If the patient and the doctor decide that Ajovy is safe and effective for them, they can probably take the drug long-term. Moreover, Ajovy starts working right away to help prevent migraine. But it may take several doses before the patient begins experiencing fewer migraine episodes.

3. What drugs are CGRP inhibitors?

• Examples of CGRP inhibitors currently approved by the FDA are Aimovig, Ajovy, Emgality, and Vyepti.  CGRP binds to its receptors on other neurons and glial cells triggering neurogenic inflammation.

4. Is Emgality better than Botox?

• Botox has an average rating of 5.7 out of 10, with 47% of reviewers reporting a positive effect and 42% reporting a negative effect. Emgality, on the other hand, has an average rating of 5.2 out of 10, with 7% of reviewers reporting a positive effect and 45% reporting a negative effect. Overall, Botox appears to be slightly better.

5. Is Emgality safe long term?

• Emgality is not known to cause any long-term side effects. This is because it is designed to prevent migraines over time. If patients have questions about the side effects of Emgality, they can ask a doctor or pharmacist.

Reference:

1.  “Ajovy vs Emgality: How Do They Compare?” Drugs.Com.
2.  “Emgality (Galcanezumab): Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing.” WebMD.

Image Courtesy:

1. “AJOVY” By Karl Johan Stensland – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Emgality” By Kaiysea – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia

Related posts:

Difference Between Panadol and Panadol Rapid Difference Between Lyrica (Pregabalin) and Gabapentin (Neurontin) Difference Between Name Brand and Generic Drugs Difference Between Clonazepam and Lorazepam Difference Between Chromium Picolinate and Chromium Polynicotinate