Can't find or afford Emgality? Here are 4 FDA-approved alternatives for migraine prevention, including other CGRP inhibitors and oral options.
If you've been struggling to find Emgality (Galcanezumab) at your pharmacy — or if cost or insurance issues are standing in the way — you're not alone. Emgality has faced supply challenges in recent years, and with no generic or biosimilar on the market, some patients are looking for alternatives.
The good news? There are several other FDA-approved medications in the same drug class that work in similar ways. In this post, we'll explain what Emgality does, how it works, and walk through four solid alternatives you can discuss with your doctor.
Emgality is a prescription injectable medication manufactured by Eli Lilly. It's FDA-approved for:
It's given as a once-monthly subcutaneous (under the skin) injection using a prefilled pen or syringe. The standard migraine prevention dose is a 240 mg loading dose (two 120 mg injections) followed by 120 mg once per month.
Emgality is not a controlled substance, and it is not a painkiller. It's a preventive medication — meaning you take it regularly to reduce how often migraines happen, not to treat a migraine that's already started.
To learn more about the drug itself, read our detailed guide: What is Emgality? Uses, dosage, and what you need to know.
Emgality belongs to a class of drugs called CGRP antagonists. CGRP stands for calcitonin gene-related peptide — a small protein your nerve cells release that causes blood vessels in the brain to dilate and triggers the pain and inflammation associated with migraines.
Emgality is a monoclonal antibody that binds directly to the CGRP molecule and neutralizes it before it can trigger a migraine. Think of it like a sponge that soaks up CGRP before it can do its damage.
This is different from older migraine preventives (like beta-blockers or antidepressants) that weren't designed specifically for migraine. CGRP inhibitors are the first class of drugs developed from the ground up to target the migraine pathway. For a deeper dive, see how Emgality works: mechanism of action explained.
All four of these alternatives target the CGRP pathway, just like Emgality. However, they differ in how they're administered, how often you take them, and what they cost.
Aimovig was the first CGRP inhibitor approved by the FDA (in 2018) for migraine prevention. Unlike Emgality, which targets the CGRP molecule itself, Aimovig blocks the CGRP receptor — the docking site where CGRP attaches to trigger a migraine.
Aimovig is a strong alternative for patients who've tried Emgality but had side effects, or who can't find Emgality in stock. Because it targets the receptor rather than the ligand, some patients who don't respond to Emgality may respond to Aimovig, and vice versa.
Ajovy is another anti-CGRP monoclonal antibody that, like Emgality, targets the CGRP molecule directly. What sets Ajovy apart is its flexible dosing schedule.
The quarterly dosing option makes Ajovy appealing for patients who don't want to deal with a monthly injection. If you're switching from Emgality due to availability issues, Ajovy is one of the closest alternatives since it works through the same mechanism.
Vyepti is the only CGRP inhibitor given as an intravenous (IV) infusion. It's administered by a healthcare provider every three months.
Vyepti may be a good fit if you prefer to have your treatment managed entirely at a doctor's office or infusion center. It also starts working faster than the injectable options — some patients notice improvement within the first week.
Qulipta is an oral CGRP receptor antagonist — meaning it's a daily pill instead of an injection. For patients who prefer not to inject themselves, Qulipta offers a completely different experience.
Qulipta is FDA-approved for preventive treatment of both episodic and chronic migraine. It's a great option for needle-averse patients, though it does require daily adherence rather than a once-monthly injection.
If you're considering an alternative to Emgality, here are some things to bring up with your doctor:
Also make sure to read up on Emgality side effects and drug interactions so you have a full picture when talking with your provider.
Not being able to fill your Emgality prescription is frustrating, but it doesn't mean you're out of options. Aimovig, Ajovy, Vyepti, and Qulipta are all proven migraine preventives that target the same CGRP pathway. Each has its own strengths — from Ajovy's quarterly dosing to Qulipta's oral convenience.
Before switching, use Medfinder to check if Emgality is available at a pharmacy near you. If it's truly unavailable, work with your doctor to find the alternative that best fits your lifestyle, insurance, and medical needs.
For more on availability, read our Emgality shortage update for 2026. And if cost is a factor, check our guide to saving money on Emgality.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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