Galcanezumab-gnlm (Subcutaneous)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Emgality

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antimigraine

Pharmacologic Class: Galcanezumab

Uses for galcanezumab-gnlm

Galcanezumab-gnlm injection is used to prevent migraine headaches. It is also used to treat cluster headache, a form of headache that produces extreme pain and usually occurs in clusters, often at the same time(s) of the day, for several weeks to months.

Galcanezumab-gnlm is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using galcanezumab-gnlm

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For galcanezumab-gnlm, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to galcanezumab-gnlm or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of galcanezumab-gnlm injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of galcanezumab-gnlm injection in the elderly.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Proper use of galcanezumab-gnlm

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you galcanezumab-gnlm. It is given as a shot under your skin, usually in the stomach, thighs, upper arm, or buttocks. You or your caregiver may be trained to prepare and inject galcanezumab-gnlm at home. Be sure that you understand how to use the medicine.

If you use galcanezumab-gnlm at home, you will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas. This will help prevent skin problems from the injections. Do not inject int...