Ajovy (fremanezumab-vfrm) vs Trudhesa (dihydroergotamine mesylate)

Ajovy (fremanezumab-vfrm) vs Trudhesa (dihydroergotamine mesylate)

Ajovy (fremanezumab-vfrm) is a monoclonal antibody used as a preventive treatment for migraine, administered as a monthly or quarterly injection, and works by targeting the CGRP pathway implicated in migraine pathophysiology. Trudhesa (dihydroergotamine mesylate), on the other hand, is a nasal spray used for the acute treatment of migraine attacks, with or without aura, and functions by constricting blood vessels and inhibiting inflammatory substances in the brain. When deciding between the two, patients should consider whether they need a preventive option with less frequent dosing (Ajovy) or an acute treatment for immediate relief during a migraine attack (Trudhesa), and discuss their medical history and potential side effects with their healthcare provider.

Difference between Ajovy and Trudhesa

Metric Ajovy (fremanezumab-vfrm) Trudhesa (dihydroergotamine mesylate)
Generic name Fremanezumab-vfrm Dihydroergotamine mesylate
Indications Preventive treatment of migraine in adults Acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults
Mechanism of action Targets and blocks the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) ligand Agonist at serotonin (5-HT) receptors, causes vasoconstriction
Brand names Ajovy Trudhesa, Migranal (another brand name for dihydroergotamine)
Administrative route Subcutaneous injection Nasal spray
Side effects Injection site reactions, hypersensitivity reactions Nausea, nasal discomfort, altered sense of taste
Contraindications Hypersensitivity to fremanezumab-vfrm or to any of its excipients Ischemic heart disease, uncontrolled hypertension, pregnancy, sepsis, concomitant use of CYP3A4 inhibitors within the last 2 weeks
Drug class Monoclonal antibody Ergot alkaloid
Manufacturer AbbVie (previously Teva Pharmaceuticals) Impel NeuroPharma

Efficacy

Efficacy of Ajovy (fremanezumab-vfrm) for Migraine

Ajovy (fremanezumab-vfrm) is a monoclonal antibody that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the preventive treatment of migraine in adults. It works by targeting and blocking the activity of the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a molecule involved in migraine attacks. Clinical trials have demonstrated that Ajovy can significantly reduce the monthly average number of migraine days. Patients receiving Ajovy in these studies reported fewer migraine days per month compared to those on placebo. The efficacy of Ajovy was observed as early as the first month of treatment and was sustained over the trial period.

The pivotal trials for Ajovy included two Phase 3 studies: HALO CM and HALO EM. In the HALO CM study, which involved patients with chronic migraine, Ajovy reduced the average number of headache days of at least moderate severity by 4.6 days per month for the quarterly dosing and by 4.3 days per month for the monthly dosing, compared to 2.5 days with placebo. In the HALO EM study, which involved patients with episodic migraine, those on Ajovy experienced a reduction of 3.7 headache days per month for the quarterly dosing and 3.4 days for the monthly dosing, versus 2.2 days with placebo.

Efficacy of Trudhesa (dihydroergotamine mesylate) for Migraine

Trudhesa (dihydroergotamine mesylate) is a nasal spray indicated for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults. Dihydroergotamine mesylate (DHE) is a well-established migraine treatment that has been used for decades. Trudhesa utilizes a proprietary nasal delivery system designed to improve the absorption and bioavailability of DHE. Clinical studies have shown that Trudhesa can provide rapid relief from migraine symptoms, with some patients experiencing relief within 2 hours after administration. The efficacy of Trudhesa is attributed to its ability to deliver DHE effectively to the systemic circulation, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract, which can be beneficial during a migraine attack when gastric stasis may occur.

In clinical trials, Trudhesa demonstrated a significant improvement in pain relief and other migraine-associated symptoms such as nausea and sensitivity to light and sound, compared to placebo. The treatment was generally well-tolerated, and the most common adverse reactions were typical of DHE, including nasal congestion, nausea, and vomiting. The unique delivery system of Trudhesa allows for consistent dosing and has the potential to offer an effective alternative for patients who require fast-acting relief from migraine attacks.

Regulatory Agency Approvals

Ajovy
  • European Medical Agency (EMA), European Union
  • Food and Drug Administration (FDA), USA
  • Health Canada
  • Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA), Japan
  • Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia
Trudhesa
  • Food and Drug Administration (FDA), USA

Access Ajovy or Trudhesa today

If Ajovy or Trudhesa are not approved or available in your country (e.g. due to supply issues), you can access them via Everyone.org.

How it works

Make an enquiry

Choose the medicine you want to buy, answer a couple of questions, and upload your prescription to speed things up. We’ll get back to you within 24 hours.

Breeze through the paperwork

We'll guide you through the required documents for importing unapproved medicine, ensuring you have all the necessary information.

Get a personalized quote

We’ll prepare a quote for you, including medicine costs and any shipping, administrative, or import fees that may apply.

Receive your medicine

Accept the quote and we’ll handle the rest - sourcing and safely delivering your medicine.

Some text on this page has been automatically generated. Speak to your physician before you start a new treatment or medication.

Let's talk

If you have any questions, call us or send us a message through WhatsApp or email:

Contact us
US 0