Emgality Is a Monthly Injectable Medication Used to Prevent Migraines and Treat Episodic Cluster Headaches

Emgality (Galcanezumab-gnlm) is a prescription medication that belongs to a class of drugs called CGRP (calcitonin gene-related peptide) antagonists. It is a humanized monoclonal antibody manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company. Emgality works by blocking CGRP, a protein involved in migraine pain signaling.

If you or someone you know has been prescribed Emgality — or if you're researching whether it might be right for you — this guide covers everything you need to know in 2026, from how it works to how much it costs.

What Is Emgality?

Here are the key facts:

• Brand name: Emgality
• Generic name: Galcanezumab-gnlm
• Drug class: CGRP antagonist (monoclonal antibody)
• Manufacturer: Eli Lilly and Company
• FDA approval: September 2018 (migraine prevention); June 2019 (episodic cluster headache)
• Controlled substance: No — Emgality is not a controlled substance
• Generic available: No — as a biologic, no biosimilar has been approved as of 2026

Emgality comes as a prefilled pen (autoinjector) or prefilled syringe for self-injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection).

What Is Emgality Used For?

FDA-Approved Uses

• Preventive treatment of migraine in adults — For people who experience 4 or more migraine days per month, Emgality can reduce the frequency of attacks
• Treatment of episodic cluster headache in adults — Emgality was the first and only FDA-approved treatment specifically for episodic cluster headache when it received this indication in June 2019

Off-Label Uses

Some doctors may prescribe Emgality off-label for:

• Chronic cluster headache (FDA approval is only for episodic)
• New daily persistent headache
• Medication overuse headache

Off-label use is at your doctor's discretion and may not be covered by insurance.

How Is Emgality Taken?

Dosage for Migraine Prevention

• Loading dose: 240 mg (two 120 mg injections) given at the same time for the first dose
• Maintenance dose: 120 mg (one injection) once monthly

Dosage for Episodic Cluster Headache

• 300 mg (three consecutive 100 mg injections) once monthly at the onset of a cluster period

How to Inject

Emgality is self-administered as a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection. You can inject in the:

• Abdomen
• Thigh
• Back of the upper arm (may need help for this location)

Important tips:

• Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before injecting to let it reach room temperature
• Rotate injection sites each month
• Store refrigerated at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C)
• Can be kept at room temperature (up to 86°F / 30°C) for up to 7 days
• Do not freeze or shake

Who Should Not Take Emgality?

Emgality has only one major contraindication:

• Serious hypersensitivity to Galcanezumab-gnlm or any of the inactive ingredients in the formulation

Before starting Emgality, tell your doctor if you:

• Are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
• Have had allergic reactions to other injectable medications
• Are taking any other CGRP medications (combining multiple CGRP antibodies like Aimovig, Ajovy, or Vyepti with Emgality would be redundant and is not recommended)

For a detailed look at Emgality side effects, see our dedicated guide. For information on drug interactions, we have a separate article covering that as well.

How Much Does Emgality Cost?

Emgality is an expensive medication, especially without insurance:

• Cash price: $700–$950 per month for a single 120 mg injection
• GoodRx coupon price: Starting around $714
• Retail/list price: Approximately $723 per 120 mg pen

Insurance Coverage

Most commercial insurance plans cover Emgality but typically require:

• Prior authorization — Your doctor must submit documentation justifying the prescription
• Step therapy — You may need to try and fail 2 or more other preventive migraine medications (like Topiramate, Propranolol, or Amitriptyline) before approval

Medicare Part D may also cover Emgality with prior authorization. Emgality is commonly dispensed through specialty pharmacies.

Savings Programs

• Emgality Savings Card (Eli Lilly): Eligible commercially insured patients may pay as little as $0 for the first month and $35/month for up to 12 months
• Lilly Cares Foundation: Provides Emgality free of charge to uninsured patients who meet income criteria
• Prescription Hope: Offers Emgality for $70/month for qualifying patients

For a complete breakdown, see our guide on how to save money on Emgality.

Final Thoughts

Emgality represents a major advancement in migraine prevention — it's one of the first medications designed specifically to target the CGRP pathway that drives migraine attacks. For many patients, it has significantly reduced the number of migraine days per month with relatively few side effects.

If you've been prescribed Emgality and need help finding it in stock, Medfinder can help you locate a pharmacy near you that currently has it available. And if you're still deciding whether Emgality is right for you, talk to your doctor about your migraine history and treatment options — or read our guide on finding a doctor who can prescribe Emgality.