Vyepti (eptinezumab-jjmr) is a brand-name drug prescribed for preventing migraine episodes in adults. As with other drugs, Vyepti can cause side effects, such as infection of the throat and nose and allergic reaction.

Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects. For additional information about the drug, see this Vyepti overview.

Vyepti can cause certain adverse effects (side effects), some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. But if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Vyepti in clinical trials:

  • infusion-related side effects
  • infection of the throat and nose

For more information about these side effects, see “Side effect specifics” later in this article.

Mild side effects can occur with Vyepti use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Vyepti’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Vyepti include:

  • infusion-related side effects
  • infection of the throat and nose

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. But if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

To learn more about these side effects, see “Side effect specifics” later in this article.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while receiving Vyepti and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

Vyepti may cause serious side effects. This article may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Vyepti’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while receiving Vyepti, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported include allergic reaction, which is described in “Side effect specifics.” Note that an allergic reaction is possible after receiving Vyepti. However, it’s not clear whether serious allergic reactions occurred in clinical trials.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Vyepti may cause.

Infusion-related side effects

Infusion-related side effects are possible with Vyepti. These are side effects that happen during or shortly after your Vyepti intravenous (IV) infusion. (An IV infusion is an injection given into a vein over time.)

Mild infusion-related side effects were common in clinical trials of Vyepti. Examples include skin rash, hives, and flushing.

In rare cases, Vyepti may cause severe infusion-related reactions, including:

  • swelling under your skin, typically in your lips, eyelids, feet, or hands
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

If you have any infusion-related side effects while receiving Vyepti, talk with the healthcare professional who is giving you the infusion right away. If the side effects are mild, they may temporarily stop your Vyepti infusion. They or your doctor can advise you on ways to ease your symptoms.

Be sure to talk with your doctor if you have severe infusion-related reactions from Vyepti. They’ll likely prescribe a different treatment for your condition.

Infection of the throat and nose

Vyepti may cause an infection of the throat and nose. This was the most common side effect in clinical trials of the drug. Many people refer to this infection as the common cold.

Symptoms of a throat and nose infection include:

What you can do

If you have symptoms of a throat and nose infection, it’s recommended that you rest and stay hydrated. You can also talk with your doctor about ways to ease your symptoms. They can suggest over-the-counter (OTC) medications that may be helpful.

Be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any OTC medications. They’ll make sure these are safe to take in combination with Vyepti.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Vyepti can cause an allergic reaction in some people. In clinical trials, most allergic reactions occurred during Vyepti infusions and were not serious. (For more information, see the “Infusion-related side effects” section.) However, they often led to stopping the drug or required treatment.

Serious allergic reactions may occur with Vyepti. They can also happen after receiving Vyepti. Cases of anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) have also been reported after the drug was FDA approved.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:

  • swelling under your skin, typically in your lips, eyelids, feet, or hands
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should continue Vyepti treatment. But if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Vyepti may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Is weight gain or weight loss a side effect of Vyepti?

No, Vyepti isn’t likely to cause weight gain or weight loss. Weight changes weren’t reported in clinical trials of the drug.

However, other drugs used to help prevent migraine episodes may cause weight changes. An example is propranolol (Inderal LA).

If you’re concerned about weight changes during treatment with Vyepti, talk with your doctor. They can suggest ways to maintain a moderate weight.

Is fatigue a side effect of Vyepti?

No, Vyepti isn’t known to cause fatigue. This side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials of the drug.

But keep in mind that migraine episodes can cause a variety of symptoms. This includes fatigue. Vyepti is used to help prevent migraine, so you may have this symptom while receiving the drug. But Vyepti itself may not cause fatigue.

If you experience any fatigue while receiving Vyepti, talk with your doctor. They can determine whether the drug causes this symptom or you may be experiencing a symptom of a migraine episode.

Does Vyepti cause any digestive side effects, such as nausea?

Most likely, no. Vyepti isn’t known to cause digestive side effects. These weren’t reported in clinical trials of the drug.

However, other drugs used to help prevent migraine episodes may cause digestive side effects. For example, nausea is a common side effect of topiramate (Topamax).

It’s important to note that migraine episodes can cause digestive problems, such as nausea and vomiting. Since Vyepti is used to help prevent migraine episodes, you may have digestive problems during treatment with the drug. But it’s possible that migraine may cause these side effects rather than Vyepti.

If you have digestive side effects while receiving Vyepti, talk with your doctor. They can determine the cause of your symptoms and suggest ways to ease them.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before treatment with Vyepti. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. The conditions and factors to consider include:

Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Vyepti or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Vyepti. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Alcohol use with Vyepti

There aren’t any known safety issues with drinking alcohol during treatment with Vyepti.

However, drinking alcohol can trigger a migraine episode for some people. Vyepti is used to help prevent migraine episodes. If you know alcohol is a migraine trigger for you, it may be best to avoid drinking it during treatment with Vyepti.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much is safe for you to consume during treatment with Vyepti.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while using Vyepti

It is unknown whether Vyepti is safe to receive while pregnant or breastfeeding.

If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding or considering either, talk with your doctor before starting Vyepti treatment. They can discuss the risks and benefits of receiving Vyepti during these times.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.