[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [CGRP antagonists (gepants and anti-CGRP antibodies)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/cgrp-antagonists/) › Erenumab

# Erenumab

## CGRP antagonists (gepants and anti-CGRP antibodies)?

CGRP antagonists (gepants and anti-CGRP antibodies)

A monthly injected monoclonal antibody that blocks the CGRP receptor and prevents migraine; it does not treat an attack under way.

Updated Nov 1, 2026

Also called: Erenumab-aooe

## Quick facts

**Group**
[CGRP antagonists (gepants and anti-CGRP antibodies)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/cgrp-antagonists/)

**Target**
CGRP receptor (calcitonin receptor-like receptor, CALCRL)

**Used for**
Prevention of migraine in adults

**Key effects**
Injection site pain · Constipation

**Monitor**
Blood pressure at follow-up visits · Bowel habits

**ATC**
N02CD01

No doses: the clinician sets them by the current guideline.

On this page

- The basics Mechanism of action
- Indications
- Adverse effects
- Pharmacokinetics
- Memory aid

- Safety Contraindications
- Key interactions
- What is monitored
- Administration and safety
- Nursing care

- Study Test yourself

- Connections Connections

## Mechanism of action

◎**CGRP receptor (calcitonin receptor-like receptor, CALCRL)**Erenumab

ⓘ The figure shows the Fab fragment of erenumab bound to the extracellular domain of the human CGRP receptor; the drug is the antibody itself, so there is no small ligand.

**Target in 3D:** CGRP receptor (calcitonin receptor-like receptor, CALCRL). PDB structure 6UMG (RCSB PDB, public domain). [View the structure at RCSB PDB](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/6UMG) · Drag to rotate · pinch to zoom

Erenumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds the CGRP receptor and stops calcitonin gene-related peptide from activating it. CGRP, released by trigeminal nerves, dilates vessels and promotes neurogenic inflammation during migraine; blocking its receptor lowers the number of migraine days over time.

- Erenumab binds the CGRP receptor
- CGRP released by trigeminal nerves cannot signal
- Less vasodilation and neurogenic inflammation
- Fewer migraine days over the following months

## Indications

- Prevention of migraine in adults [Migraine →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/migraine/)

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Injection site pain, redness, swelling or itching
- Constipation
- Muscle cramps or spasms

### Serious (rare, important)

- Severe constipation with abdominal pain or vomiting
- High blood pressure, new or worse
- Allergic reactions (rash, swelling of face or throat, trouble breathing)
- Numb, cold or discoloured fingers or toes (Raynaud phenomenon)

## Contraindications

- Hypersensitivity to erenumab or its components

## Key interactions

**Acute migraine medicines (triptans, analgesics)**
Still needed for attacks: erenumab prevents migraine but does not stop an attack under way

## What is monitored

- Blood pressure at follow-up visits
- Bowel habits
- Headache diary to judge benefit

## Administration and safety

- Kept in the refrigerator; warmed to room temperature for about 30 minutes before injecting, never heated
- Not shaken; not used if dropped, cloudy, coloured or with particles
- Injected under the skin of the thigh or abdomen (upper arm if a caregiver injects)

## Nursing care

- Teach injection technique and safe disposal of needles
- Ask about hypertension and Raynaud phenomenon before starting
- Advise reporting severe constipation or abdominal pain
- Remind that acute attack medicines are still needed

## Pharmacokinetics

**Absorption**
Subcutaneous injection

**Elimination**
Long-acting antibody, given once a month

## Memory aid

«ERENumab = the only one that blocks the REceptor»: the other anti-CGRP antibodies grab the peptide itself.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## What does erenumab bind?

The CGRP receptor (not the CGRP peptide).

## Is erenumab used to treat an acute migraine attack?

No; it is a monthly preventive treatment.

## Which two adverse effects of erenumab are watched at follow-up?

Constipation and high blood pressure.

[Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/erenumab/)

[More Pharmacology questions →](https://durgical.com/en/practice/?f=pharmacology)

## Connections

## Related drugs 4

- [Sumatriptan](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/sumatriptan/)
- [Topiramate](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/topiramate/)
- [Propranolol](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/propranolol/)
- [Botulinum toxin type A](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/botulinum-toxin-type-a/)

## Related conditions 1

- [Migraine](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/migraine/)

[← Back to the class: CGRP antagonists (gepants and anti-CGRP antibodies)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/cgrp-antagonists/)

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [Erenumab-aooe Injection: MedlinePlus Drug Information](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a618029.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [RCSB PDB - 6UMG: Crystal structure of erenumab Fab bound to the extracellular domain of CGRP receptor](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/6UMG) (RCSB Protein Data Bank, 2026); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=N02CD) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026).

## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake

Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/erenumab/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/erenumab/