Emgality: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Warnings https://www.drugs.com/emgality.

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Emgality
Pronunciation: em-GAL-it-ē
Generic name: galcanezumab [ GAL-ka-NEZ-ue-mab ]
Dosage forms: prefilled pen (120 mg/mL), prefilled syringe (100 mg/mL, 120 mg/mL)
Drug class: CGRP inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on Jan 10, 2024.

What is Emgality?
Emgality is a prescription medicine used to prevent migraines and treat episodic cluster headaches in
adults. Emgality can help reduce the number of migraine days per month and reduce the number of
cluster headache attacks each week.

Emgality is calcitonin-gene related peptide antagonist. Emgality works by blocking a protein called
calcitonin-gene related peptide (CGRP) which is involved in migraines and episodic cluster
headaches, blocking CGRP helps reduce migraines and cluster headaches.

Emgality is given as a monthly injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection) using a single-dose
prefilled pen or a single-dose prefilled syringe after the first loading dose.

Emgality received FDA approval on September 27, 2018, for the preventive treatment of migraine in
adults, then on June 4, 2019, it received FDA approval for the treatment of episodic cluster
headaches in adults.

Emgality side effects

Common side effects of Emgality may include:

• pain;

• redness;

• itching;

• irritation where the medicine was injected.

Serious side effects of Emgality

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Emgality: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Warnings https://www.drugs.com/emgality.html

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Emgality: hives; difficulty
breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

An allergic reaction to the active ingredient galcanezumab can occur several days after an injection.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice
about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Emgality side effects (more detail)

Related/similar drugs
Qulipta, prednisone, propranolol, topiramate, Botox, Depakote, sumatriptan

Warnings
Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about
all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Emgality if you are allergic to galcanezumab.

Emgality is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. It is not known whether galcanezumab will harm an unborn baby.
However, having migraine headaches during pregnancy may cause preeclampsia (dangerously high
blood pressure that can lead to medical problems in both mother and baby). The benefit of preventing
migraines may outweigh any risks to the baby.

It may not be safe to breast-feed while using galcanezumab. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Emgality pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (more detail)

How should I use Emgality?

Use Emgality exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and
read all medication guides or instruction sheets.

Emgality is injected under the skin. A healthcare provider may teach you how to properly use the
medication by yourself.

For prevention of migraine headaches: Emgality is usually given as a first dose of 2 injections,
followed by 1 injection once per month.

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For treatment of cluster headache episodes: Emgality is usually given as 3 injections at the start of
the cluster period, followed by 1 injection once per month until the end of the cluster period.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or
pharmacist if you don't understand all the instructions.

Prepare an injection only when you are ready to give it. Do not use the injection if the medicine looks
cloudy, has changed colors, or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

Take a syringe or injection pen out of the refrigerator and let it reach room temperature for 30 minutes
before injecting your dose. Do not warm the syringe with hot water, sunlight, or a microwave.

Inject under the skin (subcutaneously) into the abdomen, thigh, or back of the upper arm or buttocks.

Avoid injecting into skin that is hard, red, bruised, or tender.

Each prefilled syringe or injection pen is for one use only. Throw it away after one use, even if there is
still medicine left inside.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Emgality Dose for Migraine Prophylaxis:

Initial dose: 240 mg subcutaneously once
Maintenance dose: 120 mg subcutaneously monthly

Comments:
-The first dose is a loading dose consisting of 2 consecutive subcutaneous injections of 120 mg each.
-If a dose is missed, administer as soon as possible. Thereafter, dose can be scheduled from the date
of the last dose.

Usual Adult Emgality Dose for Cluster Headache:

Initial Dose: 300 mg (three consecutive subcutaneous injections of 100 mg each) at the onset of the
cluster period.
Maintenance Dose: 300 mg subcutaneously once a month until the end of the cluster period.

Comments:

-Each dose is administered as 3 consecutive subcutaneous injections of 100 mg each.

-This drug is to be injected once a month for the length of a cluster period which may extend from
several weeks to months.

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Emgality: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Warnings https://www.drugs.com/emgality.html

-If a dose is missed, administer as soon as possible. Thereafter, dose can be scheduled monthly from
the date of the last dose.

Emgality injection is available as

• single-dose prefilled pen (120 mg/mL solution)

• single-dose prefilled syringe (120 mg/mL solution)

• single-dose prefilled syringe (100 mg/mL solution)

Detailed Emgality dosage information

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medicine as soon as you remember, and then restart your regular injection schedule 1 month
later. Do not use two doses at one time to make up a missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while using Emgality?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

What other drugs will affect Emgality?

Other drugs may interact with galcanezumab, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines,
vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you
start or stop using.

Emgality drug interactions (more detail)

Storage
• Store in the refrigerator between 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C).

• Injections may be stored out of the refrigerator in the original carton at temperatures up to 86°F
(30°C) for up to 7 days.

• After storing out of the refrigerator, do not place the injection back in the refrigerator.
Do not freeze.
Keep injections in the carton it comes in to protect it from light until the time of use.
Do not shake

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Emgality: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Warnings https://www.drugs.com/emgality.html

• Throw away any injections if any of the above conditions are not followed.

Ingredients
Active ingredient: galcanezumab-gnlm

Inactive ingredients: L-histidine, L-histidine hydrochloride monohydrate, Polysorbate 80, Sodium

Chloride, and Water for Injection, USP.

Company
Eli Lilly and Company Indianapolis, IN 46285, US.

Popular FAQ

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References

1. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Emgality Product Label

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Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to
your personal circumstances.

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