Vyepti
Vyepti (eptinezumab or eptinezumab-jjmr) is a medication that's used to prevent migraines in adults. The dose is given as an infusion through the veins at a provider's office or clinic every 3 months. Side effects aren't common, but they can include common cold symptoms, itching, and flushing. Vyepti (eptinezumab) is only available as a brand name.
What is Vyepti (eptinezumab)?
What is Vyepti (eptinezumab) used for?
- Prevention of migraines in adults
How Vyepti (eptinezumab) works
Vyepti (eptinezumab) is a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor blocker. It's a monoclonal antibody that blocks a protein in the brain and nervous system called CGRP. CGRP is thought to be involved with migraines and causing pain. By blocking CGRP, Vyepti (eptinezumab) helps block migraines from happening.
Drug facts
Side effects of Vyepti (eptinezumab)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Common cold symptoms (6-8%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Itching
- Flushing
Vyepti (eptinezumab) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Allergic reactions: hives, itching, swelling of the face or tongue, difficulty breathing
The following Vyepti (eptinezumab) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions or angioedema—skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs, trouble swallowing or breathing
- Increase in blood pressure
- Raynaud syndrome—cool, numb, or painful fingers or toes that may change color from pale, to blue, to red
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sore throat
Pros and cons of Vyepti (eptinezumab)
Pros
- Works well to lower the number of migraines you get
- Taken only every 3 months
- Few side effects
Cons
- Given as an infusion through the veins (IV)
- Needs to be given by a healthcare provider
- Hasn't been studied well enough in children or in older adults, so it's not completely known how well the medication works for them
Pharmacist tips for Vyepti (eptinezumab)
- Discuss with your provider about where you can get Vyepti (eptinezumab), what to expect during the infusions, and any other questions you might have about treatment. The manufacturer of Vyepti (eptinezumab) also has helpful information, resources, and tips to get you started for your infusion.
- Mark your infusion appointments on your calendar to make sure you don't miss any doses of Vyepti (eptinezumab).
- Drink plenty of water before your Vyepti (eptinezumab) infusion appointment to stay well hydrated.
- Plan for your Vyepti (eptinezumab) infusion appointments accordingly. The infusion itself takes about 30 minutes, but give yourself some time beforehand to check in. Your provider might also need some time to finish preparing the medication for your infusion.
- Tell your provider if you're pregnant, thinking of becoming pregnant, or planning to breastfeed. We don't know whether Vyepti (eptinezumab) can cause harm to unborn babies, though studies show that it didn't in animals. It also isn't known whether the medication passes into breast milk.
- Talk to your provider if you have a migraine in between your Vyepti (eptinezumab) infusion appointments. They can recommend strategies to manage your migraines, including avoiding triggers, medications to ease the headache quickly, and alternative therapies like acupressure.
Common questions about Vyepti (eptinezumab)
In studies, people with chronic migraines (15 or more headache days per month) had an average of about 8 fewer migraine days per month after taking Vyepti (eptinezumab) for 3 months. Study participants with episodic migraines (4 to 14 headache days per month) had an average of 4 fewer migraine days per month after taking the medication for 3 months.
Studies show that Vyepti (eptinezumab) starts to work right away, from day 1 of your dose. It only takes a few hours for Vyepti (eptinezumab) to reach the highest amount in the body after a single dose of medication.
Vyepti (eptinezumab) is given as a 30-minute infusion through the veins by a healthcare provider. This isn't a medication you can pick up and give to yourself at home. You'll need to see your provider at their office or clinic or go to an infusion center for each of your Vyepti (eptinezumab) infusions.
Before your infusion, make sure to drink plenty of water so you're well hydrated. Wear comfortable clothing to your appointments. During your infusion, a healthcare provider will keep an eye on you closely to make sure you're not having any allergic reactions to the medication.
Weight gain wasn't a side effect that people taking Vyepti (eptinezumab) reported in clinical studies. If you experience unexpected weight changes while you're taking Vyepti (eptinezumab), speak with your provider to discuss possible causes.
Hair loss wasn't a side effect reported by people using Vyepti (eptinezumab) in clinical trials. But a study based on reports to the FDA suggests that CGRP blockers like Vyepti (eptinezumab) could possibly raise the risk for hair loss. More research is needed to find out whether there's a link. Speak with your provider if you experience any hair loss while you're taking Vyepti (eptinezumab). They'll try to figure out what's causing it.
Both Vyepti (eptinezumab) and Emgality (galcanezumab) are CGRP receptor blockers that are FDA-approved for preventing migraines. But Emgality (galcanezumab) is also approved for cluster headaches, a severe and sudden headache that's typically felt on only one side of the head. In addition, Emgality (galcanezumab) is an injection under the skin that you can give to yourself at home every month, whereas Vyepti (eptinezumab) is an IV infusion that's given by a healthcare professional every 3 months. Both medications haven't been compared to each other in any head-to-head studies, so it's not clear whether one medication works better than the other. Speak with your provider to weigh the pros and cons of each medication.
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Risks and warnings for Vyepti (eptinezumab)
Vyepti (eptinezumab) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Allergic reactions
Vyepti (eptinezumab) can cause allergic reactions, such as hives, flushing in the face, rash, shortness of breath, and angioedema (swelling of the skin or lips). Most allergic reactions happen during the infusion and aren't serious. But it's possible that they can be serious and life-threatening (e.g., swelling of face and throat, sudden low blood pressure, dizziness, fainting).
Call your nurse over right away if you get any of these symptoms during your infusion. Call 911 as soon as possible if you have these symptoms after your Vyepti (eptinezumab) infusion and you've left the office or clinic center.
Vyepti (eptinezumab) dosage
Typical dosage for Vyepti (eptinezumab)
The typical dose is 100 mg or 300 mg infused through the veins (intravenously or IV) once every 3 months.
More on Vyepti (eptinezumab) dosage
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