5 Emgality savings tips

In this article:

• How much does Emgality cost?
• Can I get Emgality for free?
• How to save
• Alternatives

In this article

• How much does Emgality cost?
• Can I get Emgality for free?
• How to save
• Alternatives

Emgality (‌galcanezumab-gnlm) is a brand-name injectable drug that is FDA-approved to help prevent migraine headaches and treat episodic cluster headaches in adults. It is a monoclonal antibody administered as a monthly subcutaneous injection.

Anyone with an Emgality prescription knows that the single-dose prefilled injection pens and syringes of this drug are not cheap. The good news is that there are ways to save on this migraine treatment.

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.

Emgality 1ml of 120mg/ml (1 Pen)

23666 - Hampton, VA

$604.69

i Price with signup

Get free coupon

$604.69

i Price with signup

Get free coupon

See Emgality prices at all pharmacies

How much does Emgality cost?

Without insurance and before discounts, the average retail cost of Emgality is $970 for one 120 mg/mL prefilled pen, which comprises a one-month supply.

An individual’s out-of-pocket cost varies depending on insurance coverage and the pharmacy filling their prescription. Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Emgality, offers the following price estimates based on different insurance situations:

• Most individuals with employer-provided or commercial insurance pay $0 to $25 monthly for Emgality.
• Most Medicare Part D enrollees pay $0 to $150 monthly for Emgality. Individuals eligible for the Extra Help program pay $4 to $9 monthly.
• Medicaid enrollees pay $4 to $9 per month for Emgality.

Can I get Emgality for free?

Some people can get Emgality for free, according to Dr. Lauren R. Natbony, MD, a headache specialist and medical director of Integrative Headache Medicine of New York. She describes three situations in which a patient might access free Emgality:

• First month free: Eli Lilly, the drug manufacturer, offers the first 30-day supply (one dose) of Emgality for $0 for eligible commercially-insured patients with insurance providers that do not cover Emgality.
• Income-based free Emgality fills: The Lilly Cares patient assistance program may provide free Emgality to people without commercial drug insurance and with low household incomes. Dr. Natbony says enrollment requires documentation from the patient and the prescribing healthcare professional. More information about these programs, including eligibility requirements, can be found on the Eli Lilly website. 
• Free samples: Dr. Natbony says some prescribers have free Emgality samples for eligible patients. “These are typically limited to one or two injections and can serve as a temporary solution while waiting for insurance approval or the outcome of a financial assistance application,” she adds.

How to save money on Emgality

Emgality users who are uninsured or underinsured can still save on this migraine prevention treatment. Find more information about ways to save on Emgality below.

1. Free Emgality coupon card

SingleCare offers free coupons to help lower the cash price of an Emgality prescription. You can pay as little as $605 for one 120 mg/mL prefilled pen of Emgality with a SingleCare prescription discount card or an Emgality coupon. This could add up to an annual savings of more than $4,000.

To get SingleCare coupons for prescription drugs like Emgality, simply visit the SingleCare website, type in the name of your prescription, and click ‘Get free coupon.’ Find a pharmacy near you with the lowest price, and show the discount card or coupon to the pharmacy when you refill your prescription. Exact SingleCare savings vary by quantity, dosage form, and pharmacy. Anyone can use SingleCare coupons or the SingleCare discount card, but it cannot be combined with insurance benefits. 

2. Emgality Savings Card

Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Emgality, offers an Emgality Savings Card to help lower the out-of-pocket cost of this drug to as little as $35 per month for up to 12 months. This card is only available to people with a valid Emgality prescription and commercial insurance that covers Emgality. Individuals with Medicare Part D, Medicaid, Tricare, or other government-funded healthcare programs are not eligible for this offer. 

Full eligibility criteria are available on the Eli Lilly website, where you can also apply for the card.

3. Comparison shop

Emgality prices vary by pharmacy, so it may pay to shop around. To compare prices at different pharmacies, you can use the SingleCare drug page to look up prescription medication costs with your SingleCare discount. You can also call or visit pharmacies in your area to ask about their Emgality prices.

4. Consider switching to a different health plan

Medication coverage varies by health insurance company and policy. You can check a policy’s coverage of Emgality and other prescriptions by looking at the plan’s drug formulary. And don’t forget to stay up-to-date on your current plan’s formulary, as coverage may change from year to year. Staying informed can help you make the best choice during the next Open Enrollment Period. 

5. Ask your prescriber about a cheaper alternative

“There are several cost-effective options for migraine prevention,” Dr. Natbony says. Though migraine treatments in the same drug class as Emgality tend to be expensive, some individuals may save money by switching if their insurance plan does not cover Emgality but does cover a similar drug.

Only a healthcare provider familiar with your medical history, medical conditions, and other prescription medicines can offer personalized medical advice on whether a cheaper alternative will work for you. Find more information on possible options below.

Is there a cheaper alternative to Emgality?

Emgality is in a class of drugs called calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antagonists. 

“[It] prevents a specific protein, CGRP, from attaching to its receptors. This specific protein has been shown to cause the deep, throbbing pain that is so often associated with migraine headaches,” says Dr. Troy Alexander-El, MD, a board-certified internal medicine physician practicing in Chicago, IL. Other injectable CGRP inhibitors include Ajovy (fremanezumab) and Aimovig (erenumab-aooe). However, they are not cheaper unless covered by insurance.

• The average retail price of Ajovy is $1,022 for one 225 mg/1.5 mL prefilled pen, but a SingleCare coupon may reduce this cost to as little as $653.
• The average retail price of Aimovig is $1,040 for one 140 mg/mL prefilled pen, but a SingleCare coupon may reduce this price to as little as $753. 

Oral CGRP inhibitors include Quilipta (atogepant) and Nurtec ODT (rimegepant). Dr. Natbony says many pharmaceutical companies offer free trial programs or copay assistance for patients on these drugs, which may lower the out-of-pocket cost enough to be cheaper than Emgality.

• The average retail price of Qulipta is $1,569 per 30, 60 mg tablets, but a SingleCare coupon may reduce this price to $953.
• The average retail price for Nurtec ODT is $1,367 for one box of eight orally-disintegrating tablets, but a SingleCare coupon may reduce this price to $870.

Of course, CGRP inhibitors are not the only migraine prevention drugs available. Dr. Natbony says the following medicines, which work differently from Emgality, are “widely available, inexpensive, and often covered by insurance.” 

• Propranolol, a generic beta blocker, is FDA-approved for migraine prevention. The average retail price of 60, 10 mg tablets is $36, but a SingleCare coupon can reduce this cost to as little as $8.
• Topiramate, a generic anti-seizure drug, is FDA-approved for migraine prevention. The average retail price for topiramate is $115 for 60, 25 mg tablets, but a SingleCare coupon can reduce this cost to as little as $8
• Amitriptyline, a generic tricyclic antidepressant, is FDA-approved to treat depression, but it is sometimes used off-label for migraine disorder. The average retail price for amitriptyline is $27 for 30, 25 mg tablets, but a SingleCare coupon can reduce this cost to as little as $4.

Finally, Botox injections may also be a cheaper alternative to Emgality for migraine prevention. Dr. Natbony says Botox is FDA-approved for chronic migraine and is covered by some insurance plans. The cost of Botox for migraine prevention varies depending on the provider, the number of units needed, and insurance coverage. 

Bottom line: You have options if you struggle to afford your Emgality prescription. Do not stop taking your medications without consulting your healthcare provider first. Ask for personalized medical advice on the best treatment for your needs and budget.