As with any medication, proper storage of Ajovy is necessary for maintaining its safety and effectiveness. But unlike most drugs, Ajovy requires refrigeration and has a limited tolerance for being stored at room temperature.
So, here's a series of helpful tips to be mindful of your migraine injections and guarantee their maximum potency, whether at home or while traveling!
Related article: 10 Travel Tips for Chronic Migraine Sufferers!
What is Ajovy?
Ajovy is a relatively new prescription medication launched 2020 in Canada to prevent migraine headaches in adults. Its active drug, fremanezumab, belongs to a class of drugs called calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibitors. It’s similar to Aimovig and Emgality and works by blocking the activity of CGRP, a molecule involved in the pathophysiology of migraine.
Ajovy is administered as a subcutaneous injection (under the skin) once every month or once every three months, depending on the dosage prescribed by your doctor. It’s a long-term, preventive treatment, not meant to treat an acute migraine attack but rather to reduce the frequency and intensity of future ones.
It comes in prefilled syringes and easy-to-use autoinjector pens.
Like any migraine injections, Ajovy is available only under medical prescription and should never be used without medical supervision.
Related article: How Long Can Aimovig Be Out of The Fridge Without Deteriorating?
Ajovy Storage & Handling Instructions
Fremanezumab is a temperature-sensitive drug and must be refrigerated to ensure its stability and effectiveness. Failure to follow Ajovy storage instructions can lead to ineffective migraine treatment.
Storage temperatures
According to Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ajovy must be stored in the refrigerator between 2°C to 8°C until it's ready for use.
When refrigeration is not possible, your Ajovy injector pens or syringes can be kept at room temperature not exceeding 30°C for a maximum of 7 days.
Additionally, your migraine injections should never freeze, be exposed to too much light, or be shaken.
Related article: How Long Can Emgality Be Unrefrigerated?
How Long Can Ajovy Be Out of the Refrigerator?
As mentioned above, Ajovy can only stay unrefrigerated for up to 7 days and only occasionally when refrigeration is impossible. During that time, in no case should it be exposed to temperatures higher than 30°C.
If an Ajovy pen or syringe has been out of the fridge for longer than 7 days, do not use it. Similarly, if it has been exposed to temperatures above 30°C, even briefly, discard it and get a new injection device from the fridge.
What happens if Ajovy is not refrigerated?
If Ajovy is not refrigerated for too long, its efficacy and safety may be compromised, and your migraine treatment may not work as intended. The active ingredient inside is quite unstable and quickly starts deteriorating when out of the fridge.
It’s generally ok to leave Ajovy unrefrigerated for a short period of time, such as during transportation from the pharmacy to home. However, if your prefilled pens or syringes have been exposed to temperatures outside the recommended range or left at room temperature for an extended period, it isn’t safe for use anymore.
Always follow the storage and handling instructions provided with your medication. Contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist for further guidance if you have any questions or concerns about Ajovy storage.
Related article: Summer Heat & Migraines, How to Prevent Migraines in Hot Weather?
How long is Ajovy good for in the fridge?
When correctly stored in the refrigerator, Ajovy is good until the expiration date that is labeled on your prefilled pens or syringes. Generally, this date happens about one year from the purchase date. Never use expired drugs. Discard any expired pens or syringes, even if there's still medicine inside.
How to tell if Ajovy has gone bad?
Ajovy is a clear, colorless liquid. Do not use it if the liquid inside looks cloudy, discolored, or has particles. These may be signs it has gone bad.
Traveling with Ajovy Pens & Syringes
These strict temperature conditions can make traveling with Ajovy quite tricky. Indeed, you need to take extra precautions for your valuable medicine not to spoil!
Keep Ajovy cool
Keeping Ajovy cool while traveling is challenging in certain situations, particularly when traveling to hot weather destinations where temperatures may exceed 30°C or when traveling with Ajovy for more than seven days.
The best solution to this problem is to use medical-grade travel coolers, such as 4AllFamily's Travel Coolers, specifically designed to keep refrigerated drugs safe.
A mini-refrigerator can be used for an unlimited time when plugged into a power source. It’s a versatile and reliable solution for people who need to keep their medications cool, even when on the go or in areas with limited access to refrigeration.
If you’re looking for a simpler solution to protect Ajovy from high heat (less than 7 days), the Companion Soft Medical Cooler Bag is a great option.
The insulated bag maintains a safe temperature range of 2 - 26°C for up to 10 hours, even when the outside temperature reaches as high as 40°C.
For more travel coolers suitable for Ajovy pens and syringes, you can check out our catalog here or contact our support team!
More tips!
- Plan ahead: If you are traveling when your next Ajovy injection is due, make sure to plan accordingly. Contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist before departure, and be sure you have enough medication to cover the entire duration of your trip (and a little extra is always best!)
- Bring the necessary supplies: Pack all the supplies you need for administering Ajovy, such as alcohol wipes, gauze, and a sharps container. If you are traveling by air, check out CATSA regulations about traveling with injectable drugs and syringes.
- Bring documentation: It is a good idea to bring a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating that you must travel with Ajovy injections. Although most travelers are never required to show proof, it can help smooth airport security checks.
