Emgality is prescription medication used in prophylactic treatment of migraine and the treatment of cluster headache. Emgality comes in a 100 mg/mL or 120 mg/mL solution in a single-dose prefilled syringe or autoinjector pen (only 120 mg/mL).
For migraine prophylaxis, the first dose is a loading dose. This is given as two injections (two 120 mg/mL pens or prefilled syringes), one after the other. This allows the drug to build up in the body to help further prevent migraines in the beginning. After this first loading dose, Emgality is then given as a monthly injection and only requires one pen or prefilled syringe to be injected.
For cluster headache treatment, the dosing is a little different. At the beginning of a cluster headache period, three 100 mg/mL prefilled syringes are injected one after another (300 mg total). This is continued once a month until the end of the cluster headache period.
Who should not take Emgality?
Do not take Emgality if you are allergic to any ingredients in Emgality.
How do I use this medication?
Emgality can be given in four different sites based on patient preference: the abdomen, back of the arm, gluteus, or thigh. If you (or the patient) plan to inject the medication by yourself, you may prefer to use either the thigh or abdomen as these sites are easier to reach. Emgality provides in-depth directions inside the package and on their website. More detailed directions can be found here.
Does this medication require special storage?
Emgality should be stored in the refrigerator until you are ready to use the injection. Once you are ready to use the injection, remove Emgality from the refrigerator for 30 minutes before injecting. This will make the injection more comfortable and less painful to use.
What are the most common side effects?
The most common side effects are injection site reactions and hypersensitivity reactions.
How much would this medication cost?
Emgality offers a savings card that can help you pay as little as $0 per prescription if you have a non-government funded insurance plan. The savings card may also help if you have no prescription insurance coverage. You can find the savings card here: https://www.emgality.com/
Is Emgality right for me?
Talk to your doctor to find out if Emgality is a good option for you. Emgality may be an option for you if you have failed other migraine treatments.
If you have any additional questions, feel free to give us a call or send us an email here: Contact Us. We will get back to you shortly.
Written by:
Jonathan Pham
PharmD Candidate 2021
Temple University School of Pharmacy