Emgality (Galcanezumab)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Emgality Used For?
Emgality is a prescription medication specifically designed to prevent migraine headaches in adults. It contains galcanezumab, which targets a natural substance in your body that may contribute to migraines.
Primary Uses
Emgality is used to prevent migraine in adult patients. Migraine is a neurological condition that causes repeated headaches, often affecting one side of the head, and is commonly associated with nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound.
How It Works
Emgality works by blocking the activity of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a naturally occurring substance in the body. People with migraine may have increased levels of CGRP. By stopping CGRP activity, Emgality helps prevent migraine headaches and has been shown to significantly reduce their frequency.
Good to know: Emgality starts working in about a week and has been shown to improve quality of life by significantly reducing migraine frequency.
How to Take Emgality
Emgality is given as an injection under your skin (subcutaneous injection). You can learn to inject it yourself after proper training from your healthcare provider, or a caregiver can help you.
Dosage Instructions
The first dose is 240 mg (two 120 mg injections) given under the skin. After the first dose, you will use 120 mg (one injection) every month. Each pen or syringe contains one dose and is for single use only. Take your medicine at about the same time each month for best results. Do not shake the pen or syringe before use.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you forget to inject a dose, inject the missed dose as soon as possible and then resume your monthly dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for the forgotten injection.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed injection. If you inject twice in a single monthly period after your initial dose, inform your doctor.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Injection site reactions (red skin, pain)
- Vertigo (feeling of dizziness or spinning)
- Constipation
- Itching
- Rash
- Fatigue
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Sudden signs of allergy such as rash, itching, hives on the skin
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
- Shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathing
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat which may cause difficulty swallowing or breathing
Important Warnings
Before using Emgality, it’s important to discuss your medical history and current medications with your doctor to ensure it’s safe for you.
Who Should Not Take Emgality
Do not use Emgality if you are allergic to galcanezumab or any of the ingredients listed in the medication. Do not use if the packaging is torn, shows signs of tampering, or if the expiry date has passed. This medicine should not be given to children and adolescents under 18 years of age.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, allergies to other medicines, foods, preservatives, or dyes. Inform your doctor about all medicines you are taking, including those bought without a prescription from pharmacies, supermarkets, or health food shops.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
It is preferable to avoid using Emgality during pregnancy, as the effects in pregnant women are not known. Check with your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, tell your doctor immediately.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Emgality and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines, vitamins, and supplements you are taking.
Alcohol & Driving
Be cautious about activities that require alertness until you know how Emgality affects you, and discuss alcohol consumption with your doctor.
Alcohol
Discuss with your doctor if you drink alcohol while using Emgality.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use machines or tools until you know how Emgality affects you. Some patients have experienced vertigo (dizziness or spinning sensation) while using Emgality.
Storage
Keep Emgality pens and syringes in a refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C. Do not freeze. Store in the original packaging to protect from light. Emgality can be left out of the fridge for up to 7 days at a temperature not above 30°C. Once stored out of refrigeration, do not place it back in the refrigerator. Do not use if the pen or syringe is damaged, or if the medicine is cloudy or has particles in it. Keep away from children.
Overdose Information
If you have injected twice in a single monthly period after your initial 240 mg dose, inform your doctor. In case of overdose, immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (Australia: 13 11 26, New Zealand: 0800 764 766), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, even if there are no signs of discomfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Emgality starts working in about a week and has been shown to significantly reduce the frequency of migraine headaches.
After your first dose of 240 mg (two injections), you will inject 120 mg (one injection) every month at about the same time each month.
Yes, you can learn to inject Emgality yourself after proper training from your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. A caregiver may also give you the injection after proper training.
If you forget to inject a dose, inject the missed dose as soon as possible and then resume your monthly dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for the forgotten injection.
You should discuss with your doctor if you drink alcohol while using Emgality.
Keep Emgality in a refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C. It can be left out of the fridge for up to 7 days at a temperature not above 30°C. Do not freeze and store in original packaging to protect from light.
It is preferable to avoid using Emgality during pregnancy, as the effects in pregnant women are not known. If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, tell your doctor immediately.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.