If you have migraine or cluster headaches, your doctor might suggest Emgality as a treatment option for you.
Emgality is a prescription drug used in adults to:
- treat episodic cluster headaches
- help prevent migraine headaches
The active ingredient in Emgality is galcanezumab-gnlm. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) This drug is a
Emgality comes as a liquid solution in prefilled pens and prefilled syringes. You’ll use either the pen or the syringe to give yourself the drug as an injection under your skin.
This article describes the dosages of Emgality, as well as its strengths and how to use it. To learn more about Emgality, see this in-depth article.
Note: The charts below highlight the basics of Emgality’s dosage. Be sure to read on for more detail.
Emgality form, strength, and dosing schedule for helping to prevent migraine headaches:
| Emgality forms | Emgality strengths | Usual starting dose | Maintenance dosage |
| • a single-dose prefilled pen • a single-dose prefilled syringe | • pen: 120 mg/mL* • syringe: 120 mg/mL | 240 mg for the first dose† | 120 mg once per month |
* The abbreviation “mg/mL” stands for milligrams per milliliter of liquid solution.
† With certain drugs, you take a higher dose than usual at the start of treatment. This is called a loading dose. You then switch to a lower dose, called a maintenance dose. For more information, see the “Frequently asked questions” section below.
Emgality form, strength, and dosing schedule for treating episodic cluster headaches:
| Emgality form | Emgality strengths for this use | Usual dosage |
| a single-dose prefilled syringe | syringe: 100 mg/mL | 300 mg at the start of a cluster period* then once per month until the cluster period ends |
* A cluster period is the time during which a person is having cluster headaches.
Please keep in mind that this article covers Emgality’s standard dosage schedule, which is provided by the drug’s manufacturer. But always follow the dosing instructions your doctor prescribes.
Below is information about Emgality’s standard dosage.
What are the forms of Emgality?
Emgality comes as a liquid solution that you’ll inject under your skin using one of the following devices:
- a single-dose prefilled injector pen
- a single-dose prefilled syringe
What strengths does Emgality come in?
The Emgality pen comes in a strength of 120 milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL) of liquid solution.
The Emgality syringe comes in two strengths: 100 mg/mL and 120 mg/mL.
What are the usual dosages of Emgality?
The information below describes the commonly used or recommended Emgality starting dose and maintenance dose, as well as dosing frequency. But be sure to follow the dosing instructions your doctor gives you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for treating episodic cluster headaches
Emgality’s dose for treating episodic cluster headaches is 300 mg. For this purpose, your doctor will prescribe the prefilled syringes containing 100 mg/mL of Emgality. You’ll need to use three syringes, one right after the other, for each dose.
You’ll give yourself a dose of Emgality at the start of a cluster period. After that, you’ll give yourself a dose once every month until your cluster period ends.
Dosage for migraine prevention
Emgality’s starting dose for helping to prevent migraine headaches is 240 mg.* For this purpose, your doctor will prescribe either the prefilled pens or syringes containing 120 mg/mL of Emgality. You’ll need to use two syringes, one right after the other, for this dose.
After that, you’ll have a maintenance dosage of 120 mg every month.
* With certain drugs, you take a higher dose than usual at the start of treatment. This is called a loading dose. You then switch to a lower dose, called a maintenance dose. For more information, see the “Frequently asked questions” section below.
Is Emgality used long term?
Yes, Emgality is usually used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely use it long term.
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Emgality’s dosage.
What’s the loading dose of Emgality?
With certain drugs, your doctor will have you take a higher dose than usual at the start of treatment. This is called a loading dose. The higher dose helps the drug start treating your condition right away. You then switch to a lower dose, called a maintenance dose, which you take long term to manage your condition. Your doctor will give you loading dose instructions when you start Emgality treatment.
If you’re using Emgality to help prevent migraine headaches, you’ll inject a loading dose of 240 mg. After this loading dose, you’ll use a maintenance dosage of 120 mg once per month.
If you’re using Emgality to treat episodic cluster headaches, you won’t use a loading dose at the start of treatment.
Will my doctor give me dosing instructions before I start using Emgality?
Yes, your doctor will provide you with dosing directions before starting Emgality.
Emgality is a liquid solution that you’ll receive as an injection under your skin. Your doctor can show you how to do this so that you may give yourself injections at home.
On the manufacturer’s website, you can find dosing and injection directions for migraine headache prevention and cluster headache treatment. And your doctor or pharmacist can also answer any questions you have about Emgality injections.
If you miss a dose of Emgality, take your dose as soon as you remember. You should then adjust your dosing schedule so that you take your next dose 1 month afterward. Take note of the new date so you can plan for your future doses.
If you have questions about a missed dose, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
If you need help remembering to give yourself a dose of Emgality on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.
The dosage of Emgality you’re prescribed may depend on the kind and severity of the condition you’re using the drug to treat.
Emgality comes as a liquid solution inside prefilled syringes and pens. Your doctor can recommend the form that’s best for you.
You’ll receive Emgality as an injection under your skin. Your doctor can show you how to give yourself injections so you can do this at home.
You or a caregiver should inject Emgality into one of the following areas of your body:
- your belly
- your thigh
- your buttock
- the back of your upper arm
On the manufacturer’s website, you can find dosing and injection directions for migraine headache prevention and cluster headache treatment. And your doctor or pharmacist can also answer any questions you have about Emgality injections.
For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Emgality, see this article.
Accessible drug containers and labels
If you find it hard to read the prescription label on your medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:
- have large print or use braille
- feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio
Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.
Do not use more Emgality than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to serious side effects.
What to do in case you use too much Emgality
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve used too much Emgality. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.
The sections above describe the usual dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Emgality for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.
Remember, you should not change your dosage of Emgality without your doctor’s recommendation. Only use Emgality exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.
Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Can I take my Emgality dosage with other migraine medications?
- Could a higher dosage of Emgality increase my risk of side effects from the drug?
- Will you change my dosage if Emgality is not working well for me?
If you use Emgality for migraine, sign up for Healthline’s online newsletter for trusted remedies, coping techniques, and expert advice. You can also find support from others who share your condition by joining the Bezzy migraine community.
Q:
For injecting my dose of Emgality, what might make the prefilled pen or the prefilled syringe a better choice for me?
AnonymousA:
Which form of Emgality you’ll use can depend on a few factors, such as:
- the condition you’re using Emgality to treat
- your dosage of Emgality
- whether your insurance covers one form and not the other
- how you prefer to give yourself a dose
If you have insurance, find out if only one form of Emgality is covered. You can do this by contacting your insurance provider or talking with your pharmacist.
Emgality’s dose for treating cluster headaches is 300 milligrams (mg) injected under your skin. Prefilled syringes contain 100 mg per milliliter (mg/mL) of Emgality, so you’ll use three syringes for your dose. Only the syringes come in the 100mg/mL strength, so if you’re using Emgality for cluster headaches, you’ll likely use the syringes.
Emgality’s dose for helping to prevent migraine headaches is 240 mg for your first dose, injected under your skin. For prefilled pens or syringes containing 120 mg/mL of Emgality, you’ll use two syringes for your dose. After your first dose, you’ll then switch to a lower dose. This is 120 mg of Emgality once a month.
Both prefilled pens and syringes come in the 120 mg/mL strength, so you can use either form for helping to prevent migraine headaches.
Some people prefer using a syringe to inject their Emgality dose, while others prefer using a pen. If you’re more comfortable using one form over the other, let your doctor or pharmacist know.
The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.