From the Guidelines
Emgality, also known as Galcanezumab, is a CGRP monoclonal antibody used for the prevention of migraine and cluster headaches.
Key Points
- Emgality is a preventive medication, not an abortive treatment, meaning it is used to reduce the frequency and severity of migraine attacks rather than to treat them once they occur 1.
- It is specifically used for the prevention of episodic and chronic migraine, as well as episodic cluster headache 2, 1.
- The medication works by blocking the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor, which is involved in the transmission of pain signals in the brain 3.
- Emgality is typically used in patients who have failed other preventive medications, such as topiramate, due to regulatory restrictions and cost considerations 3.
- The evidence supports the effectiveness of Emgality in reducing the frequency of migraine attacks, with studies showing significant reductions in headache days per month 1.
Clinical Use
- Emgality is administered via subcutaneous injection, typically every month 1.
- The recommended dose is 240mg as a loading dose, followed by 120mg monthly 1.
- Patients should be educated on the potential side effects of Emgality, including injection site reactions, fatigue, and constipation 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
EMGALITY is a prescription medicine used in adults for the: preventive treatment of migraine. treatment of episodic cluster headache.
Emgality (Galcanezumab) is a humanized IgG4 monoclonal antibody specific for calcitonin-gene related peptide (CGRP) ligand, used for the preventive treatment of migraine and treatment of episodic cluster headache in adults. 4, 5, 6
From the Research
What is Emgality (Galcanezumab)?
- Emgality (Galcanezumab) is a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), inhibiting its physiological activity, which plays a key role in the pathophysiology of migraine and headache disorders 7, 8, 9.
- It is administered as a once-monthly subcutaneous injection for the prevention of migraines 8, 9.
- Galcanezumab has demonstrated efficacy in reducing the number of monthly migraine headache days, improving health-related quality of life, and alleviating symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and phonophobia 7, 8, 10.
Mechanism of Action
- Galcanezumab binds to the CGRP ligand, preventing it from binding to its receptor, which is involved in the pathophysiology of migraine 7, 8, 9.
- By inhibiting CGRP, galcanezumab reduces the frequency and severity of migraine headache days 10.
Clinical Evidence
- Phase 3 trials have shown that galcanezumab is effective in reducing the number of monthly migraine headache days in patients with episodic and chronic migraine 7, 8, 10.
- Real-world clinical evidence has also demonstrated the effectiveness and safety of galcanezumab in patients with chronic migraine and medication overuse headache 11.
- Galcanezumab has been shown to be well-tolerated, with a favorable safety profile 7, 8, 9, 11.