Key Takeaways
- Vyepti (eptinezumab-jjmr) is a prescription drug used to prevent migraine attacks in adults.
- Side effects more commonly experienced during Vyepti treatment include nose or throat symptoms.
- Serious side effects that have been reported with Vyepti include allergic reaction.
Vyepti is a
Although side effects aren’t common with Vyepti infusions, some people may experience mild or serious side effects (also called adverse effects). Keep reading to learn more.
Although side effects from Vyepti aren’t common, some people may have them. Side effects more commonly experienced during Vyepti treatment include nose or throat symptoms. To learn more, see the “Side effects explained” section.
Examples of mild side effects that have been reported with Vyepti include nose or throat symptoms. To learn more, see the “Side effects explained” section.
In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or that bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Do not stop Vyepti treatment unless your doctor recommends it.
Vyepti may cause mild side effects other than those listed here. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.
Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medication safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect during treatment with Vyepti and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.
Serious side effects that have been reported with Vyepti include allergic reaction. To learn more, see the “Can Vyepti cause anaphylaxis?” FAQ and the “Side effects explained” section.
If you develop serious side effects during Vyepti treatment, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Vyepti’s side effects.
Does Vyepti cause weight loss or weight gain?
No. Weight changes weren’t reported in studies of Vyepti, which were up to 12 months long.
If you have questions about weight changes since starting Vyepti treatment, talk with your doctor. They can help you identify the cause and recommend ways to maintain a moderate weight.
Does Vyepti cause hair loss?
No. Hair loss was not a side effect reported in studies of Vyepti. If you have concerns about thinning hair or hair loss, talk with your doctor. They can help you identify the cause and recommend ways to help manage it.
Can Vyepti cause anaphylaxis?
It’s possible. Anaphylaxis is a serious type of allergic reaction that can occur with any medication.
Anaphylaxis was not reported in Vyepti studies, but there have been reports of people experiencing this side effect after the drug became available for use. However, it’s unclear how often anaphylaxis occurred or whether Vyepti was the cause.
A healthcare professional will give you Vyepti as an IV infusion at a doctor’s office or clinic. If you start to have symptoms of an allergic reaction during an infusion, they’ll stop the infusion and treat your symptoms if needed.
Is it painful to receive an infusion of Vyepti?
Vyepti is given as an IV infusion, which is an injection into a vein given over a period of time. As with any injection, you may feel a very quick “pinch” of pain when a healthcare professional inserts the needle.
Vyepti infusions are given over 30 minutes. You should not feel any pain during the infusion.
What are the long-term side effects of Vyepti treatment?
No long-term side effects were reported with Vyepti in the drug’s studies. (Vyepti studies were up to 12 months long.) And no long-term side effects have been reported since the drug came on the market in 2020.
If you have questions about long-term side effects of Vyepti, talk with your doctor. They can help you weigh the pros and cons to determine whether this treatment is right for you.
Learn more about some of the side effects Vyepti may cause.
Nose or throat symptoms
Nasopharyngitis (irritation of the nose or throat) is a possible side effect of Vyepti treatment. Nasopharyngitis is another name for the common cold.
In studies of Vyepti, people took 100 milligrams (mg) of the drug, 300 mg of the drug, or a placebo (a treatment that contains no active ingredient).
Nose or throat symptoms were equally common among people receiving 100 mg of Vyepti or the placebo. These symptoms occurred slightly more often in people who received 300 mg of Vyepti than in those who received 100 mg or a placebo.
Common cold symptoms include stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, and sore throat.
What might help
Common cold symptoms usually go away on their own without treatment. It’s often helpful to get extra rest and drink more fluids.
To ease nose or throat symptoms, consider over-the-counter (OTC) remedies. These include:
- a saline nasal spray for stuffy nose
- an antihistamine for runny nose or sneezing
- acetaminophen (Tylenol) for sore throat
If your nose or throat symptoms don’t go away or become bothersome, talk with your doctor. They may want to check for other causes or recommend other treatments.
Allergic reaction
Like most drugs, Vyepti can cause an allergic reaction in some people.
Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:
What might help
If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, tell your doctor right away. To manage symptoms, they may suggest an OTC antihistamine you take by mouth, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Or they may recommend a product that you apply to your skin, such as hydrocortisone cream.
If your doctor confirms you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to Vyepti, they’ll decide whether you should continue treatment. They’ll weigh the risks versus the benefits and may be able to give you medications prior to your next infusion to prevent these mild reactions.
If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.
If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Vyepti, they may have you switch to a different treatment.
Vyepti may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting Vyepti. Below are factors to consider.
Age: Vyepti is approved for adults ages 18 years and older, but there haven’t been many people ages 65 years and older in Vyepti studies. If you’re age 65 or above, talk with your doctor about your health factors and whether Vyepti may be safe for you.
Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Vyepti or any of its ingredients, your doctor may not prescribe this drug for you. This will depend on the severity of your previous reaction. Ask your doctor about other treatments that may be better options.
High blood pressure: If you have high blood pressure, talk with your doctor before starting Vyepti treatment. Since Vyepti became available for use, there have been reports of this and similar drugs causing new or worsening high blood pressure. This may happen at any point during treatment, but it’s most common within a week of your first Vyepti dose. During treatment, your doctor will monitor your blood pressure. If it becomes too high, they may recommend stopping Vyepti.
Raynaud’s phenomenon: Tell your doctor if you have a personal or family history of Raynaud’s phenomenon. This condition occurs when blood vessels in your hands and feet constrict, reducing blood flow to those body parts. Raynaud’s phenomenon wasn’t reported with Vyepti, but there have been reports of this side effect happening with similar drugs. You may have a higher risk of Raynaud’s phenomenon if you’ve previously had it. If you develop symptoms of this condition, your doctor will likely recommend stopping Vyepti.
Alcohol use and Vyepti
Vyepti doesn’t interact with alcohol, but drinking alcohol can trigger migraine symptoms in some people. Even though Vyepti is used to prevent migraine attacks, it’s a good idea to continue avoiding or limiting things that trigger them.
If you have questions about drinking alcohol during Vyepti treatment, talk with your doctor.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding with Vyepti
Vyepti hasn’t been studied during pregnancy, so it’s not known whether this medication is safe to receive during this time.
It also isn’t known whether Vyepti is safe while breastfeeding. Studies haven’t looked at whether Vyepti treatment has any effects on breast milk or a child who’s breastfed.
If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or planning to be either, talk with your doctor. They can guide you on how to safely manage migraine episodes during these periods.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.