Limited coverage criteria – galcanezumab

Last updated on March 24, 2025

 

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Generic name

galcanezumab

Strength & form

120 mg/mL pre-filled pen, pre-filled syringe

Special Authority criteria

Approval period

Initial

The patient has a confirmed diagnosis of episodic or chronic migraine defined as:

  • Episodic migraine: Migraine headaches on at least 4 days per month and less than 15 headache days per month for more than 3 months
  • Chronic migraine: Migraine headaches on at least 8 days per month and headaches for at least 15 days per month for more than 3 months

AND

The patient has experienced an inadequate response for a minimum three months trial at optimal dosing or intolerance to at least two oral prophylactic migraine medications from two different therapeutic classes. Required details of trial include: names, doses and durations of the previously tried prophylactic migraine medications1. In cases of intolerance, also include details regarding the nature and severity of the intolerance(s) experienced

AND

The baseline number of headache and migraine days per month2 at the time of initial request is provided

6 months

First renewal

The patient has had a minimum reduction of at least 50% in the average number of migraine days per month2 compared to baseline

6 months

Second and subsequent renewals

The patient has maintained a minimum reduction of at least 50% in the average number of migraine days per month2 compared to baseline

1 year

Practitioner exemptions

  • No practitioner exemptions

Special notes

Therapeutic class

Anti-seizure medications:

  • Divalproex sodium / valproic acid
  • Topiramate
  • Gabapentin

Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors:

  • Duloxetine
  • Venlafaxine

Beta-blockers:

  • Atenolol
  • Metoprolol
  • Nadolol
  • Propranolol
  • Timolol

Tricyclic antidepressants:

  • Nortriptyline
  • Amitriptyline

Calcium channel blockers:

  • Flunarizine
  • Verapamil

Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors:

  • Candesartan
  • Lisinopril

Miscellaneous:

  • Pizotifen
  • 2Special Authority will not accept changes to the baseline migraine days per month during renewal requests. Number of migraine days should be calculated using data from a migraine journal or application kept by the patient over the 3-month period immediately preceding this request
  • PharmaCare will not provide combination coverage for CGRP antagonists used for migraine prevention
  • The patient should be under the care of a practitioner who has appropriate experience in the management of patients with migraine headaches

Special Authority request form(s)