Erika Prouty, PharmD, is a professional community pharmacist who aids patients in medication management and pharmacy services in North Adams, Massachusetts.

Emgality is a biologic drug belonging to a new class of drugs called calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antagonists. It contains the drug galcanezumab, a monoclonal antibody (a type of biological drug developed from immune system cells in a lab). It blocks the activity of specific proteins in the body.

CGRP antagonists drugs were explicitly designed to prevent migraine headaches. Emgality works by blocking the activity of the brain's calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) protein involved in inflammation and vasodilation (widening of blood vessels). It blocks CGRP by binding to its receptor site.

It is a prescription drug available in injection form to be given subcutaneously (under the skin).

Brand Name(s): Emgality 

Dosage Form(s): Injection

Emgality is a medication option used for the following conditions in adults:

Migraines have recurring moderate to severe pain with throbbing or pulsing in the head. The pain is usually on one side of the head with other symptoms, such as nausea, weakness, and sensitivity to light and sound.

Researchers believe that migraine results from neurological differences caused by genetic mutations in the brain.  There is no absolute cure for migraine at present. Currently, the clinical approaches prevent or relieve the symptoms during migraine attacks. Prevention involves the use of medications and behavioral changes.

Follow the guidelines on your prescription label and ask your healthcare provider about anything you don't understand.

Ask for the manufacturer's label to read the instructions carefully on how to use it.

Avoid pouring unused and expired drugs down the drain or in the toilet. Ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider about the best ways to dispose of this medicine. Visit the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) website to find out where and how to discard unused, expired drugs. You can also find disposal boxes in your area. Ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider if you have any questions about the best ways to dispose of your medications.

If you plan to travel with Emgality, get familiar with your final destination's regulations. In general, be sure to make a copy of your Emgality prescription. If possible, keep your medication in its original container from your pharmacy with your name on the label. Ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider if you have any questions about traveling with your medicine.

On average, the elimination half-life of Emgality was approximately 27 days. Emgality (galcanezumab) 120 milligrams (mg) monthly (with a 240 milligrams loading dose) begins reducing the days of migraine headaches on the first day after the first injection.

Emgality is used off-label to treat vestibular migraine headaches. Ask your healthcare provider about the use of this drug.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. A healthcare provider can advise you on side effects. If you experience other side effects, contact your pharmacist or a healthcare provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at fda.gov/medwatch or 800-FDA-1088.

The most common side effect associated with Emgality:

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you develop any signs of a severe reaction. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening.

Serious side effects and their symptoms include:

Emgality may cause other side effects. Call your healthcare provider if you have unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your healthcare provider may send a report to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting Program or by phone (800-332-1088).

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

The following modifications (changes) should be kept in mind when using Emgality:

Severe allergic reaction: Avoid using Emgality if you have a known allergy to it or its ingredients. Ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for a complete list of the ingredients if you're unsure.

Pregnancy: In rat and rabbit studies, Emgality administration during pregnancy and lactation did not have adverse effects on fetal development. There is not enough data about the safety and effectiveness of Emgality in pregnant people and their unborn fetuses. Discuss with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant and weigh the benefits and risks of taking Emgality during your pregnancy.

Breastfeeding: There is not enough information about the safety and effectiveness of Emgality and its release in human breastmilk and nursing babies. Talk with your healthcare provider if you plan to breastfeed, weigh the benefits and risks of taking Emgality while nursing, and the different ways to feed your baby.

Adults over 65: Clinical studies haven't included a large enough number of people in this age group to see whether they respond differently from younger adults.

Children: Safety and effectiveness have not been established in children.

Administration modifications: Emgality should be used subcutaneously only.

If you accidentally forgot your Emagality dose, take it as soon as you remember. Take the following dose next month at the scheduled date. Don't try to double up to make up for the missed dose.

Try to find ways that work for you to help yourself remember to keep your appointments and take your medication routinely. If you miss too many doses, Emgality might be less effective at treating or preventing migraine.

In case of an overdose or life-threatening symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.

If you think you or someone else may have overdosed on Emgality, call a healthcare provider or the Poison Control Center (800-222-1222).

If someone collapses or isn't breathing after taking Emagality, call 911 immediately.

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth after using this medicine.

People with severe hypersensitivity to galcanezumab-gnlm or any of the other ingredients of this injection should not use Emaglaity.

Ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for a complete list of the ingredients if you're unsure.

Talk with your healthcare provider about any other medicines you take or plan to take, including over-the-counter, nonprescription products, vitamins, herbs, or plant-based medicines, to avoid drug-drug interaction.

Several drugs are used to treat and prevent migraine. Some of these are approved by the FDA, while others are used off-label by healthcare providers. However, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) blockers are a new drug class approved by the FDA to prevent migraine headaches.

The choice of drug will depend on your health condition and clinical requirements. Your healthcare provider will prescribe the best suitable medicine for you. 

Some of the common drugs approved to treat migraine headaches are:

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antagonists:

Emgality contains the active drug galcanezumab-gnlm, a monoclonal antibody. It's used to prevent migraine headaches and symptoms of cluster headache. 

Emgality blocks calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) from binding to its receptor.

Emgality was the third drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in a new class of drugs called calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) blockers. Other CGRP antagonists are only approved for migraine prevention. However, unlike other drugs of this class, Emgality is also approved to treat cluster headaches.

Emgality does not have a generic alternative and is available only as a brand. It can be costly. However, if someone needs financial support to pay for Emgality, help is available.

Eli Lilly and Company, the manufacturer of Emgality, offers a savings card that can help pay less for Emgality. For more information, visit the program website.

Migraine is associated with cerebral nerve cells and blood vessel dysfunction. The migraine attack often begins when specific triggers, such as stress, foods, or hormonal changes, cause excessive relaxation or dilation of blood vessels in the brain. Living with migraine does have its challenges, but there are ways to help improve your quality of life. Refer below for some general tips to support your health:

Verywell Health's drug information is meant for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a healthcare provider. Consult your healthcare provider before taking any new medication(s). IBM Watson Micromedex provides some of the drug content, as indicated on the page.

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Food and Drug Administration. Emgality label.

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