Emgality (galcanezumab-gnlm) is a brand-name subcutaneous injection. Doctors prescribe the drug to help prevent migraine episodes and treat episodic cluster headaches. Emgality has no known interactions with alcohol, drugs, or supplements.

An interaction occurs when one substance causes another substance to have a different effect than expected.

To learn more about Emgality’s interactions, keep reading. For additional information about Emgality, including details about its uses, see this article.

Note: The reason “-gnlm” appears at the end of the drug’s name is to show that the drug is distinct from similar medications that may be created in the future.

The manufacturer of Emgality did not study drug interactions in clinical trials. However, it’s possible that interactions may be recognized in the future. For example, people who have used Emgality since it became available could report a suspected interaction.

Before you start treatment with Emgality, tell your doctor and pharmacist which prescription, over-the-counter, and other medications you take. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions. (To learn whether Emgality interacts with supplements, herbs, or vitamins, see the “Emgality and other interactions” section below.)

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

In some cases, factors or conditions could prevent your doctor from prescribing Emgality due to the risk of harm. These are known as contraindications. The contraindications of Emgality include:

Having had an allergic reaction to Emgality or any of its ingredients

If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to Emgality or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Emgality. Taking the drug could cause another allergic reaction. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better choices for you.

Note: Before you start treatment with Emgality, it’s important to tell your doctor if this contraindication applies to you. They can determine whether to prescribe Emgality.

There aren’t any known interactions between Emgality and alcohol.

However, your doctor may advise you to avoid or limit alcohol consumption during Emgality treatment. This is because alcohol can be a trigger of migraine episodes or cluster headaches. (Emgality is prescribed to help prevent migraine episodes and treat episodic cluster headaches.)

If you have questions about drinking alcohol while taking Emgality, talk with your doctor.

Emgality may have other interactions, such as with supplements, foods, vaccines, or even lab tests. You’ll find details below. Keep in mind that the following information does not include all other possible interactions with Emgality.

Emgality and supplements

It’s possible for drugs to interact with supplements such as vitamins and herbs.

Emgality and herbs

There are no specific reports of herbal interactions with Emgality. However, that doesn’t mean interactions with herbs won’t occur or be recognized in the future. Because of this, it’s important to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products during Emgality treatment.

Emgality and vitamins

There are no specific reports of vitamins interacting with Emgality. However, that doesn’t mean vitamin interactions won’t occur or be recognized in the future. Because of this, you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any vitamin product with Emgality.

Emgality and food

There are no specific reports of food interactions with Emgality. If you’d like to learn more about eating certain foods during treatment with Emgality, talk with your doctor.

Emgality and vaccines

There are no known interactions between Emgality and vaccines. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to see whether you’re due for any vaccines.

Emgality and lab tests

There are no known interactions between Emgality and lab tests. If you have concerns about this medication interacting with specific lab tests, talk with your doctor.

EMGALITY AND CANNABIS OR CBD

Cannabis (often called marijuana) and cannabis products, such as cannabidiol (CBD), have not been specifically reported to interact with Emgality.

However, as with any drug or supplement, it is best to talk with your doctor before using cannabis in combination with Emgality. The effects of cannabis may affect how well you stick to your Emgality treatment plan.

Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.

Certain medical conditions and other factors may increase the risk of interactions with Emgality. Before you take this drug, be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history. They can tell you more about who should not take Emgality.

Emgality may not be the right treatment option if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. These include:

  • Allergic reactions: If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to Emgality or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Emgality. Receiving the drug could cause another allergic reaction. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better choices for you.
  • Breastfeeding: It’s not known whether Emgality treatment while breastfeeding is safe. There isn’t enough information to determine whether the drug passes into breast milk or what effects Emgality may have on a child who is breastfed. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor before starting Emgality. They can talk with you about treatment options and ways to feed your child.
  • Pregnancy: There haven’t been enough clinical trials to determine whether Emgality is safe to receive while pregnant. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, tell your doctor before starting Emgality. They can advise you on the right treatment plan for you.

Note: If you’re prescribed Emgality during pregnancy, consider enrolling in the migraine pregnancy registry. This registry keeps track of issues that may occur when Emgality is used during pregnancy. To learn more, call 833-464-4724 or visit the registry website. You can also talk with your doctor.

Here are some frequently asked questions about Emgality and possible interactions.

Can you take Emgality and sumatriptan together?

Possibly, if your doctor prescribes them together. There are no reports of Emgality interacting with sumatriptan (Imitrex, Tosymra, and others).

Doctors prescribe Emgality to help prevent migraine episodes before they occur. Doctors prescribe sumatriptan to treat migraine after the start of an episode. Doctors also prescribe Emgality to treat episodic cluster headaches, while sumatriptan isn’t prescribed for this purpose.

Your doctor can recommend whether you can use Emgality and sumatriptan together for your migraine episodes.

Can you take ibuprofen with Emgality?

Yes, taking ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) with Emgality is likely safe. There are no reports of these medications interacting with each other.

Doctors prescribe Emgality to help prevent migraine episodes. They may also recommend taking ibuprofen to help ease pain during a migraine episode. Doctors also prescribe Emgality to treat episodic cluster headaches. However, ibuprofen may not work quickly enough to ease pain from a cluster headache.

If you have other questions about taking ibuprofen with Emgality for your specific condition, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

You can take certain steps to help prevent interactions with Emgality. Your doctor and pharmacist are key resources, so reach out to them before starting treatment. For example, you should plan to do the following:

  • Let them know if you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
  • Tell them about any other medications you take, as well as any supplements, herbs, and vitamins.
  • Create a medication list, which your doctor and pharmacist can help you fill out.

It’s also important to read the Emgality label and other paperwork that may come with the drug. The label may have colored stickers that mention an interaction. The paperwork, sometimes called the medication guide or patient package insert, may also contain details about interactions.

If Emgality doesn’t come with paperwork, you can ask your pharmacist to print a copy. If you need help reading or understanding this information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

You can also help prevent interactions with Emgality by using it exactly as your doctor prescribes.

Besides learning about interactions, you may want to find out more about Emgality. These resources might help:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.