Patient Leaflet Updated 24-Jan-2024 | Eli Lilly / Organon
Emgality 120 mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen
Emgality® 120 mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen
galcanezumab
1. What Emgality is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you use Emgality
3. How to use Emgality
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Emgality
6. Contents of the pack and other information
Emgality contains galcanezumab, a medicine that stops the activity of a naturally occurring substance in the body called calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). People with migraine may have increased levels of CGRP.
Emgality is used to prevent migraine in adult patients who have at least 4 migraines days per month.
Emgality can reduce the frequency of migraine headache and improve your quality of life. It starts working in about a week.
Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before or during treatment with Emgality if:
Emgality can potentially cause serious allergic reactions. Serious allergic reactions happen mainly within 1 day after having taken Emgality, but some reactions can be delayed (happen more than 1 day to 4 weeks after having taken Emgality). Some allergic reactions can be prolonged in duration. You must look out for signs of these reactions while you are using Emgality. Stop using Emgality and tell your doctor or seek medical help immediately if you notice any signs of a serious allergic reaction. Such signs are listed under “Serious side effects” in section 4.
This medicine should not be given to children and adolescents under 18 years of age because it has not been studied in this age group.
Tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are using, have recently used or might use any other medicines.
If you are a woman able to have children, you are advised to avoid becoming pregnant while using Emgality.
If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine. It is preferable to avoid the use of Emgality in pregnancy as the effects of this medicine in pregnant women are not known.
If you are breast-feeding or are planning to breast-feed, talk to your doctor before using this medicine. You and your doctor should decide if you should breast feed and use Emgality.
Galcanezumab could have a minor effect on your ability to drive and use machines. Some patients have had vertigo whilst using Emgality.
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per 120 mg dose, that is to say essentially “sodium-free”.
Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor, pharmacist or nurse has told you. Check with your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are not sure.
Emgality pre-filled pen is for single use only and contains one dose of Emgality (120 mg).
Your doctor will decide for how long you should use Emgality.
Emgality is given by injection under your skin (subcutaneous injection). You and your doctor or nurse should decide if you can inject Emgality yourself.
It is important not to try to inject yourself until you have been trained by your doctor or nurse. A caregiver may also give you your Emgality injection after proper training.
The pen must not be shaken.
Read the “Instructions for Use” for the pen carefully before using Emgality.
If you have injected more Emgality than you should, e.g. if after the first dose of 240 mg, you have injected it twice in a single month, or if anyone else has accidentally used Emgality, contact your doctor immediately.
Do not take a double dose to make up for forgotten injection
If you have forgotten to inject a dose of Emgality, inject the missed dose as soon as possible and then inject the next dose after a month from that date.
You should not stop using Emgality without speaking to your doctor first.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Allergic reactions with Emgality are usually mild to moderate (such as rash or itching). Serious allergic reactions may occur rarely (may affect up to 1 in 1 000 people) and the signs may include:
Tell your doctor or get emergency medical help straight away if you notice any of those signs.
Very common side effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):
Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme, website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the label and on the carton after “EXP.” The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Store in a refrigerator (2 °C to 8 °C). Do not freeze.
Store in the original package in order to protect from light.
Emgality may be stored unrefrigerated for a single period up to 7 days when stored at temperatures up to 30 °C. If the pen is stored at a higher temperature or for a longer period it must be discarded.
Do not use this medicine if you notice that the pen is damaged, or the medicine is cloudy or has particles in it.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
The active substance is galcanezumab. Each pre-filled pen contains 120 mg of galcanezumab in 1 mL solution.
The other ingredients are: L-histidine, L-histidine hydrochloride monohydrate, polysorbate 80, sodium chloride and water for injections.
Emgality is a solution for injection in a clear glass syringe. Its colour may vary from colourless to slightly yellow.
The syringe is encased in a disposable, single-dose pen. Pack sizes of 1, 2 or 3 pre-filled pens.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
For any information about this medicine, please contact the local representative of the Marketing Authorisation Holder:
This leaflet was last revised in September 2023
EM035
Lilly House, Basing View, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG21 4FA, UK
+44 (0)1256 315 000
https://www.lillymedical.co.uk/en-gb
