If you have migraines, your doctor may have suggested you try eptinezumab (Vyepti) to help prevent them. It’s a type of drug called a monoclonal antibody that blocks the action of a certain protein in your body that causes migraine headaches.
The drug can cause some side effects, which are usually very manageable. But in very rare cases, you may need to reach out to your doctor or stop the medication entirely.
Here’s what you should know about the side effects of eptinezumab.
Most Common Side Effects of Eptinezumab (Vyepti)
There are two main side effects that you may have when you take eptinezumab. They are:
Nasopharyngitis. This is the medical name for cold-like symptoms such as sneezing, a runny nose, sore throat, and coughing. In clinical trials, these symptoms appeared in fewer than 1 in 12 people taking eptinezumab. They were about the same for people who got a dummy medicine, called a placebo.
If you have any of these symptoms while you take eptinezumab, you may be able to relieve them with the following:
- An over-the-counter saline nasal spray for sneezing and congestion
- A hot shower to breathe in steam
- Cough lozenges
- Honey to relieve coughing
- A humidifier or cool mist vaporizer
If your symptoms don’t get better, talk to your doctor. They may be able to recommend other over-the-counter medications.
Hypersensitivity. A small number of people who took eptinezumab had an allergic reaction. Signs of mild hypersensitivity include:
- Swelling around the eyes and/or lips
- Hives
- Facial flushing
- A rash
Most of the time, these symptoms happen while you’re getting your IV. If you notice any of them, let medical staff know right away. They may want to stop the IV, and they may recommend the following:
- An antihistamine to reverse the allergic reaction
- A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug like ibuprofen to lower inflammation
- A hydrocortisone cream for inflammation
If you have any symptoms, talk to your doctor about whether you should keep using eptinezumab. About 2% of people in clinical trials stopped taking it because of side effects.
Serious Side Effects of Eptinezumab (Vyepti)
Like most drugs, eptinezumab can trigger anaphylaxis, a serious allergic reaction. Signs of anaphylaxis include:
- Trouble breathing
- Hives
- Throat tightness
- Throat swelling
- A hoarse voice
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Belly pain
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Low blood pressure
- A rapid heartbeat
Anaphylaxis can happen suddenly and get worse quickly. If you have any of these symptoms in your doctor’s office while you’re getting an IV, let medical staff know right away. If you’ve already left, call 911.
Warnings for Eptinezumab (Vyepti)
This medication may not be safe to take for certain people. They include those who’ve recently had a heart attack or a stroke. Other reasons are if you:
- Have had an allergic reaction to eptinezumab in the past
- Are pregnant or plan to start a family soon. It’s not known yet if eptinezumab is safe for your unborn baby.
- Are breastfeeding. It’s not clear if eptinezumab passes into breast milk, and if so, if it’s harmful to an infant. Talk to your doctor about whether you can continue nursing, or if you should feed your baby formula.
How to Monitor the Side Effects of Eptinezumab (Vyepti)
Most side effects from eptinezumab happen while you’re getting the IV. But you may get them hours later. The first few times you take eptinezumab, it’s a good idea to track any unusual symptoms you may have.
You can do this with a paper calendar, or use the notes app on your phone. Record the date and the symptom. Also record each IV date, so you can see if there’s a link. You may also want to rate how serious your symptoms are, to see how much they affect your day-to-day life. Bring the log with you to your next doctor visit. You can discuss with your doctor whether these symptoms may be related to treatment, and if so, whether you should continue to use eptinezumab.
