Emgality can be out of the fridge for up to 7 days, as long as the temperature stays at or below 86°F (30°C). After 7 days at room temperature, or if it gets warmer than 86°F at any point, the medication must be thrown away.
The 7-Day Rule
The FDA-approved labeling is specific: Emgality can be stored outside the refrigerator for a maximum of 7 days at temperatures up to 86°F (30°C). It needs to stay in its original carton during this time to protect it from light. If either condition is exceeded, meaning it’s been out longer than 7 days or exposed to temperatures above 86°F, the pen or syringe must be discarded even if it looks fine.
When kept refrigerated between 36°F and 46°F (2°C to 8°C), Emgality lasts until the expiration date printed on the packaging. So the 7-day window only applies once it leaves the fridge.
You Cannot Put It Back in the Fridge
This is the detail most people miss. Once Emgality has been stored at room temperature, you cannot return it to the refrigerator. The clock starts the moment it comes out, and putting it back doesn’t reset or pause that 7-day countdown. This is a one-way trip: fridge to room temperature to use (or discard).
If you accidentally left a pen on the counter and aren’t sure how long it’s been out, err on the side of caution. There’s no way to tell from appearance alone whether a biologic medication has degraded from improper storage.
Practical Tips for Travel
The 7-day room temperature window makes short trips straightforward. If you’re traveling for less than a week and the ambient temperature will stay under 86°F, you can carry Emgality in its original carton without any cooling. A hotel room with air conditioning easily meets that requirement.
For trips longer than 7 days, or for travel in hot climates where temperatures could exceed 86°F (think summer road trips, checked luggage near a hot cargo hold, or a car sitting in the sun), you’ll need an insulated cooling case with a gel pack. Avoid letting the medication freeze, which also damages it. Place a barrier like a cloth between the gel pack and the pen so it doesn’t come in direct contact with ice-cold surfaces.
If you’re flying, keep Emgality in your carry-on. Cargo holds can experience temperature extremes in both directions, and you’ll want the medication within reach in case of delays.
When to Discard
Throw away Emgality if any of the following apply:
- More than 7 days out of the fridge, regardless of temperature
- Exposed to temperatures above 86°F, even briefly
- Returned to the fridge after being stored at room temperature
- Past the expiration date on the carton
- Frozen at any point, even if thawed afterward
Emgality is a biologic medication, meaning it’s made from living cells and is more sensitive to temperature swings than a typical pill. Degraded biologics may not cause obvious harm, but they can lose effectiveness, which defeats the purpose of taking them for migraine prevention. When in doubt, use a fresh pen from the fridge rather than risking a dose that may not work.