Key takeaways
- Emgality (galcanezumab-gnlm) and Aimovig (erenumab-aooe) are brand-name drugs prescribed to help prevent migraine episodes. Emgality is also prescribed to treat cluster headache. Both drugs are available as solutions for subcutaneous injection (under the skin).
- Both Emgality and Aimovig are similarly effective in preventing migraine episodes. But a comparison study suggested Emgality might be more effective.
- Emgality and Aimovig share some side effects, such as injection site reaction and allergic reaction. Aimovig can also cause constipation and high blood pressure, but Emgality is not associated with these side effects.
This article explains the main similarities and differences between Emgality and Aimovig. If you’re considering one of these drugs, discuss this information with your doctor to help determine whether one of these treatments is right for your condition.
Note: For more comprehensive information about these two drugs, you can refer to our Emgality and Aimovig articles.
Key differences between Emgality and Aimovig
A few of the main differences between Emgality and Aimovig are:
- Dosage: You inject Emgality and Aimovig once per month. However, Emgality requires a loading dose, and Aimovig does not. (See the “Dosages, forms, and administration” section.)
- Conditions treated: Emgality and Aimovig are both prescribed to help prevent migraine episodes, but Emgality is also prescribed to treat cluster headache. (See the “Uses of Emgality vs. Aimovig” section.)
- Side effects: Aimovig can cause certain side effects, such as constipation or high blood pressure. Emgality isn’t known to cause these side effects.
Here’s information about the biosimilar status for Emgality and Aimovig, as well as details on their active ingredients.
| Emgality | Aimovig | |
| Generic available | no | no |
| Biosimilar available | no | no |
| Active ingredient | galcanezumab-gnlm | erenumab-aooe |
| Drug class | calcitonin gene-related peptide blocker | calcitonin gene-related peptide blocker |
Note: A biosimilar medication is a drug that’s similar to a brand-name drug (the parent drug). Biosimilar medications are also called biologics. Biologic drugs are made from living cells. Since it’s not possible to copy a biologic drug exactly, biosimilar drugs are similar to the original biologic. Biosimilars are as safe and effective as the original biologic drug.
Emgality and Aimovig are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the following uses in adults:
- Both Emgality and Aimovig are FDA approved to help prevent migraine episodes.
- Emgality is also FDA approved to treat episodic cluster headache.
Here’s a quick look at the dosage and administration of Emgality and Aimovig for the conditions both drugs help prevent or treat.
Dosage for migraine episodes
The following table shows the typical doses of Emgality and Aimovig to help prevent migraine episodes. Before starting either of these medications, talk with your doctor about the best dosage for you.
| Emgality | Aimovig | |
| Form | subcutaneous injection (under the skin) | subcutaneous injection |
| Strengths | 120 milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL) and 100 mg/mL | 70 mg/mL and 140 mg/mL |
| Dose | loading dose: 240 mg maintenance dose: 120 mg | 70 mg (in some cases, your doctor may increase the dose to 140 mg) |
| Frequency | once per month | once per month |
| Given by | self | self |
Before starting treatment with Emgality or Aimovig, your doctor or pharmacist will teach you how to inject the medication. Both drugs are made to be injected subcutaneously. You can inject either drug into the upper arm, thigh, or stomach as directed. You can also inject Emgality into the buttocks.
Do not inject your medication into an area that’s bruised, discolored, or scarred. If you have questions about how to inject your dose of medication, see Emgality’s prescribing information or Aimovig’s prescribing information. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Both Emgality and Aimovig work to help prevent migraine episodes. These drugs can cause some of the same side effects, as well as some different ones. This section includes some of the side effects that were reported in clinical trials of these drugs.
For more details about side effects of the two drugs, see our side effect articles about Emgality and Aimovig. You can also refer to the Emgality prescribing information and Aimovig prescribing information.
Mild side effects
The following table lists some of the more commonly reported mild side effects of Emgality and Aimovig. It also may include less common ones that some people might have concerns about in some cases.
| Mild side effect | Emgality | Aimovig |
| injection site reaction, such as discoloration or itchiness | ✓ | ✓ |
| constipation | ✓ | |
| muscle cramp or spasm | ✓ | |
| mild allergic reaction | ✓ | ✓ |
These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. If the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious side effects
The following table lists the reported serious side effects of Emgality and Aimovig.
| Serious side effect | Emgality | Aimovig |
| high blood pressure | ✓ | |
| severe constipation | ✓ | |
| severe allergic reaction | ✓ | ✓ |
| Raynaud phenomenon | ✓ |
If you have serious side effects from Emgality or Aimovig, call your doctor immediately. If the side effects feel life threatening or you believe you’re having a medical emergency, call 911. Or call your local emergency number right away.
Are there concerns with Emgality vs. Aimovig weight gain?
No, weight gain shouldn’t be a concern with either drug. The studies for Emgality and the studies for Aimovig didn’t report weight gain occurring as a side effect in participants.
If you have concerns about weight changes during treatment with either Emgality or Aimovig, talk with your doctor.
What should I know about the Emgality vs. Aimovig mechanism of action (how they work)?
Both drugs work in much the same way. The calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) protein in the body participates in inflammation. It also participates in vasodilation in the brain, which makes the blood vessels wider. Both actions can cause headache and migraine.
Emgality and Aimovig both target CGRP, which can help prevent migraine episodes. With this same action, Engality also treats cluster headache.
How do Emgality and Aimovig compare with Ajovy?
Doctors prescribe Emgality, Aimovig, and Ajovy to help prevent migraine episodes. They also prescribe Emgality to treat cluster headache. However, Aimovig and Ajovy aren’t approved for this use.
All of these medications are for subcutaneous injection, but their dosing differs. You inject Aimovig and Emgality once per month. However, your doctor may have you inject Ajovy once per month or once every 3 months.
Emgality, Aimovig, and Ajovy all belong to the same drug class, which is calcitonin gene-related peptide blockers. Even though these drugs work in similar ways, they contain different active ingredients. So some side effects, such as allergic reaction or injection site reaction, may be the same. And other side effects may be different. For example, Aimovig can cause constipation, but Emgality and Ajovy aren’t known to cause this side effect.
If you have questions about the best option to help prevent migraine episodes, talk with your doctor.
Is it safe to take Emgality and Aimovig together?
No, it’s not safe to take Emgality and Aimovig together. Both drugs belong to the same drug class, called calcitonin gene-related peptide blockers. So they work in similar ways to help prevent migraine episodes. Taking these medications together can increase your risk of side effects occurring.
If you have questions about the best treatment option for you, talk with your doctor.
Emgality and Aimovig are effective options to help prevent migraine episodes.
Here’s a brief look at whether Emgality or Aimovig was found to be more effective for helping prevent certain conditions.
Comparison study: A 2022 study compared the effectiveness of Emgality and Aimovig to help prevent migraine episodes. This study showed that Emgality may be a more effective option to help prevent migraine episodes. However, both drugs did work to prevent migraine episodes.
Keep in mind that trials and reviews of trials may not apply to your individual health situation. Be sure to talk with your doctor to determine whether Emgality or Aimovig may be right for you.
Prescribing information: For details about how these drugs performed in clinical trials, see Emgality’s prescribing information and Aimovig’s prescribing information. Keep in mind that trial results may not apply to your individual health situation.
Treatment guidelines: Another way to find out whether a drug is considered effective is to look at treatment guidelines.
When an organization includes certain drugs in treatment guidelines, it means research has shown the drug to be safe and effective. In guidelines from the American Academy of Family Physicians, calcitonin gene-related peptide blockers, including Emgality and Aimovig, are recommended as treatment options to help prevent migraine episodes.
What Emgality or Aimovig costs depends on the treatment plan your doctor prescribes, your insurance plan, and your pharmacy.
Both Emgality and Aimovig are brand-name drugs. The two medications do not come in biosimilar forms. A biosimilar drug is one that’s close to a biologic drug. Biologics are made from living cells. Since it’s not possible to copy a biologic drug exactly, biosimilar drugs are similar to the original biologic. Biosimilars are as safe and effective as the original biologic drug.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn about the generic form of either drug.
Emgality and Aimovig may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These drugs share the same precautions. Some of these precautions are mentioned here.
Precautions
If any of the following medical conditions or other health factors are relevant to you, talk with your doctor before starting Emgality or Aimovig.
| Precaution | Emgality | Aimovig |
|---|---|---|
| if you’ve had an allergic reaction to either drug or any of its ingredients | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you have high blood pressure | ✓ | |
| if you’re pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you’re breastfeeding or thinking about breastfeeding | ✓ | ✓ |
Switching between Emgality and Aimovig is possible.
If you’d like to know more about switching between Emgality and Aimovig, talk with your doctor. They can give you more details and help determine the best course of action for your personal situation. Even if two drugs treat the same condition or are in the same drug class, your body still can respond differently.
It’s important that you do not stop, start, or switch any drug treatments without your doctor’s recommendation.
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.