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Key takeaways
Emgality is a brand-name drug that prevents migraine and treats cluster headache.
Emgality costs around $981 without insurance for a single monthly dose for migraine prevention.
Many insurance plans cover Emgality, but the out-of-pocket cost can still be high.
For those without coverage, alternatives include using a SingleCare discount card to reduce the cost, manufacturer patient assistance programs, comparing pharmacy prices, or switching to other lower-priced treatments.
Emgality (galcanezumab-gnlm) is a brand-name prescription drug FDA-approved to prevent migraine headache and treat episodic cluster headache. Each Emgality dose—120 mg for migraine prevention and 300 mg for cluster headache—is self-injected once per month using a pre-filled syringe or autoinjector pen. Emgality is a premium-priced drug with no generic or over-the-counter alternatives. However, there are ways to help manage the cost.
Save up to 80% on Emgality with SingleCare
Different pharmacies offer different prices for the same medication. SingleCare helps find the best price for you.
RELATED: Emgality side effects
How much does Emgality cost without insurance?
For people without insurance coverage for Emgality, the retail price averages $981 for a single 120 mg prefilled pen injector that provides a single monthly dose. (This is the average price after the typical first one-time dose of 240 mg, which would cost about double the price.) Emgality is a long-term treatment, so at the full cash price, Emgality treatment will cost more than $12,000 per year when using a typical 120 mg monthly dose for migraine prevention.
For patients with health insurance coverage for Emgality, the out-of-pocket expense will depend on the plan’s formulary, deductible, copay, and any applicable coinsurance. Some eligible patients can take advantage of the Emgality Savings Card, which reduces the copay for commercially-insured patients.
Patients lacking Emgality insurance coverage have limited options. The active ingredient in Emgality, galcanezumab, is a biologic CGRP antagonist. It works by blocking a substance called calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) from causing migraine and cluster headache symptoms, including pain. Other biologic CGRP antagonists include Vyepti (eptinezumab), Aimovig (erenumab), and Ajovy (fremanezumab). Patients can also take non-biologic CGRP antagonists such as Nurtec ODT (rimegepant), Ubrelvy (ubrogepant), or Qulipta (atogepant). As tablets, they’re easier to take, but they may still be costly.
RELATED: Emgality vs. Nurtec: Differences, similarities & side effects
If these treatments are still costly, there are many effective treatments for migraine or cluster headache prevention. Some may work better for some patients than CGRP antagonists. Prescription migraine prevention drugs include topiramate, propranolol, nortriptyline, and botulinum toxin. Some of the cluster headache preventives are verapamil, valproic acid, and over-the-counter melatonin supplements.
| Compare Emgality prices to related drugs | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance for a brand-name drug | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Emgality (galcanezumab) | $981 for 1 mL of 120 mg/mL autoinjector (1-month supply) | $605 for 1 mL of 120 mg/mL autoinjector of brand-name Emgality at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Vyepti (eptinezumab) | $7,972 for 3, 1 ml of 100 mg/ml vials
(9-month supply) |
$5,694 for 3, 1 ml of 100 mg/ml vials of brand-name Vyepti at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Ajovy (fremanezumab) | $1,021 for 1.5 mL of 225 mg/1.5 mL injection pen
(1-month supply) |
$653 for 1.5 mL of 225 mg/1.5 mL injection pen of brand-name Ajovy at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Aimovig (erenumab) | $1,039 for 1 mL of 140 mg/mL injection pen
(1-month supply) |
$753 for 1 mL of 140 mg/mL auto-injector of brand-name Aimovig at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Nurtec ODT (rimegepant) | $1,385 for 8, 75 mg orally disintegrating tablets | $870 for 8, 75 mg orally disintegrating tablets of brand-name Nurtec at Walgreens | See latest prices |
| Qulipta (atogepant) | $1,564 per 30, 60 mg tablets | $953 per 30, 60 mg tablets of brand-name Qulipta at Walgreens | See latest prices |
Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices available at the time of publication in ZIP code 23666 as of November 13, 2025. The listed price, without insurance, refers to the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available. Click the link under “Savings options” to see the latest drug prices.
Is Emgality covered by insurance?
According to the manufacturer, Eli Lilly, more than 90% of people with commercial health plans are covered for an Emgality prescription, but the insurance providers commonly require prior authorization or step therapy. Without insurance, Emgality can cost about $981 per month, but 80% of commercially insured patients pay less than $60 per month, with many paying as low as $35 with the Emgality Savings Card. Some Medicare Part D and Medicaid plans cover Emgality, but not all. The copay for people with Medicare Part D will vary. About 70% pay an average of $0 for their monthly prescription, and 90% pay less than $47 per month, according to Eli Lilly.
How to get Emgality covered by insurance
The most likely reason an insurance provider denies an Emgality prescription is that requirements for coverage have not been met. Insurance companies commonly require prior authorization, which often includes step therapy, meaning that other drugs must be tried before this one. If the prescription is rejected, contact the insurance company or speak with the pharmacist. They may be able to tell you why you don’t qualify. Then talk to the prescriber. The doctor may need to clarify some parts of the authorization documentation, prescribe certain medicines required by step therapy, or appeal the prior authorization if you don’t meet all the requirements.
If your insurance does not cover Emgality, ask the prescriber to file a formulary exception. This process works the same as prior authorization, but the outcome is less certain.
How to get Emgality without insurance
Paying for premium-priced brand-name prescription medicines like Emgality can be challenging. Even those with insurance coverage may find that out-of-pocket Emgality prices are prohibitive. The manufacturer offers a patient assistance program, but not everyone meets the eligibility requirements for financial assistance. For both insured and uninsured patients who cannot afford monthly Emgality injections, there are ways to save money and still get treatment.
1. Use a SingleCare discount card
A free coupon from SingleCare can reduce the monthly cost of Emgality by up to $376, bringing the total cost down to just $605. Joining SingleCare’s loyalty program can help you save money every time you purchase drugs with a SingleCare savings card, benefiting you in the future with savings on refills and additional purchases.
2. Ask the prescribing healthcare provider about other drugs
There may be less expensive migraine or cluster headache medications that work just as well as Emgality. They work differently, but they’re worth trying if Emgality prices are challenging. Most are common generic drugs. However, before switching to drugs that haven’t been tried, make sure to get medical advice from a healthcare professional.
3. Compare pharmacy prices
Like all retailers, pharmacies charge different prices. Some charge a premium price for prescription medications, whereas others charge a discounted price. Finding the lowest price for Emgality could save $100 a month or more. Add a SingleCare coupon for even greater savings.
Lea este artículo en español aquí.
- Emgality, Eli Lilly (2024)
- Emgality HCP, Eli Lilly (2023)
- How much should I expect to pay for Emgality® (galcanezumab-gnlm)?, Eli Lilly (2025)