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Key takeaways
Emgality is an injectable prefilled pen used for migraine prevention and cluster headaches.
It’s best to store Emgality in the refrigerator until use, but it can be left at room temperature for up to seven days.
After that period, you must either use the medication or discard it. Do not return it to the refrigerator.
Emgality (galcanezumab-gnlm) is a monoclonal antibody approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent chronic migraines and help treat episodic cluster headaches in adults. It is a type of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antagonist that works by blocking CGRP, a protein involved in pain transmission during migraine attacks. Emgality is taken monthly by subcutaneous injection in the abdomen, back of the upper arm, thigh, or buttocks.
Like many injectable medications, Emgality should be stored in your refrigerator before use. If you are on the go, it’s okay to leave the medication at room temperature for up to seven days, but after that period, it must be used or thrown away.
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Does Emgality need to be refrigerated?
Whenever possible, store Emgality in a refrigerator between 36°F and 46°F. Avoid too-hot or too-cold temperatures—above 86°F or below freezing.
For best results, leave Emgality pens in their original carton. “It needs to be kept out of the light to prevent degeneration,” explains Noah Rosen, MD, neurologist and Director of the Northwell Headache Center.
As with any medication, be sure to keep Emgality out of the reach of children.
How long can Emgality be out of the fridge?
If you’re vacationing when it’s time for your dose of Emgality or forgot to put your prescription in the fridge when you got home from the pharmacy, there’s good news: You can safely leave Emgality at room temperature for up to seven days.
Importantly, if you’ve taken it out of the fridge, you shouldn’t put it back, according to Taher Saifullah, MD, a pain management specialist and founder of Spine & Pain Institute Los Angeles. “If it’s not used within seven days, it should be discarded. It should not be returned to the refrigerator once it’s been at room temperature for any length of time,” he says.
If you’ll be taking an extended trip, simply pack your doses in their original packaging, in an insulated bag with cool packs to keep the prescription safe while you’re on the road. Then, you don’t have to worry about shortening the shelf life of your medication.
What happens if Emgality is not refrigerated?
“If Emgality is left out of the fridge for more than seven days or exposed to temperatures above 86°F, the medication can degrade, reducing its effectiveness and safety,” explains Soma Mandal, MD, an internist at Summit Health in New Providence, New Jersey. “This happens due to protein denaturation and loss of potency.”
Specifically, the proteins in Emgality will break down and lose their appropriate shape if not stored correctly, adds Dr. Rosen. This prevents Emgality from binding correctly to its target. “This starts to occur after one week of not being refrigerated or quickly when exposed to light or heat,” Dr. Rosen says.
Overall, the medication won’t work as it is supposed to, which means it may not effectively prevent a migraine headache or provide the pain relief you need. Without insurance, Emgality can cost over $900 for a monthly supply, so storing it improperly can be an expensive mistake.
How to know if Emgality has gone bad
“When properly stored in the fridge, Emgality is typically stable until the expiration date printed on the prefilled syringe, which is based on the manufacturer’s stability data,” Dr. Taher says. Typically, it is about two years from the manufacture date when stored appropriately.
Normally, Emgality should look clear to slightly yellow. If the solution looks cloudy or has a strange color, you should not use it, according to Dr. Taher. “Emgality does not typically have a strong smell, so odor is not a reliable indicator of spoilage,” he adds.
However, there may be no obvious signs that Emgality is no longer good, besides decreased effectiveness. “Always check the expiration date before use,” Dr. Taher says. After a medication’s expiration, side effects are unpredictable. The most common side effects are injection site reactions and hives. Serious allergic reactions are possible and will include anaphylaxis. If you experience serious side effects, like trouble breathing, dizziness, swelling of the face, fainting, or loss of consciousness, seek immediate emergency medical care from a healthcare professional. If you think you’ve taken expired Emgality, contact your healthcare provider for medical advice.
The bottom line
Proper storage of Emgality ensures that it remains effective and safe for use. Luckily, the rules are simple: Keep the medication in the fridge until you are ready to use it. If you need to take it out sooner, just remember that you will need to use it within seven days after bringing it to room temperature.
- Emgality, Access FDA (2018)
- Instructions for use, Emgality, Eli Lilly and Company (2019)
- Patient information, Emgality, Eli Lilly and Company (2025)