gammaCore
FAQs

gammaCore™ non-invasive vagus nerve stimulator (nVNS) is a small, handheld, non-invasive vagus nerve stimulator with 6 FDA- cleared indications for headache, including migraine and cluster headache. It is an easy-to-use, drug-free medical device used to help prevent headache pain before it starts or quickly stop painful attacks when they happen. gammaCore nVNS is available by prescription from your health care provider.

For full Indications and Important Safety Information, visit https://gammacore.com/about/important-safety-information/.

Yes, gammaCore has 6 FDA-cleared indications for headache. Please see below for more details:
gammaCore™ (non-invasive vagus nerve stimulator) is intended to provide non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) on the side of the neck. gammaCore is indicated for:

• The preventive treatment of migraine headache in adolescent (age 12 and older) and adult patients.
• The acute treatment of pain associated with migraine headache in adolescent (age 12 and older) and adult patients.
• Adjunctive use for the preventive treatment of cluster headache in adult patients.
• The acute treatment of pain associated with episodic cluster headache in adult patients.
• Treatment of hemicrania continua and paroxysmal hemicrania in adults.


• The effectiveness of gammaCore has not been established in the acute treatment of chronic cluster headache.
• gammaCore is contraindicated for patients if they:
  • Have an active implantable medical device, such as a pacemaker, hearing aid implant, or any implanted electronic device
  • Are using another device at the same time (e.g., TENS Unit, muscle stimulator) or any portable electronic device
• Safety and efficacy of gammaCore have not been evaluated in the following patients:
  • Patients diagnosed with narrowing of the arteries (carotid atherosclerosis)
  • Patients with a metallic device, such as a stent, bone plate, or bone screw, implanted at or near the neck
  • Patients who have had surgery to cut the vagus nerve in the neck (cervical vagotomy)
  • Pediatric patients (younger than 12 years
  • Pregnant women
  • Patients with clinically significant hypertension, hypotension, bradycardia, or tachycardia

NOTE: This list is not all inclusive. Please refer to the gammaCore Instructions for Use for all of the important warnings and precautions before using or prescribing this product.

When using gammaCore, you should feel a tingling sensation on the neck where the device is held. You may feel a downward pulling on your lip- this is the most common muscle contraction seen with gammaCore use and indicates you’re in the correct treatment position. The user controls the intensity level and can increase or decrease at any time. Treatment should never be painful.

Depending on the type of headache you are treating, initial treatments can last anywhere from 4 to 6 minutes. If needed, treatments can be repeated if additional attack occurs and can be used for multiple attacks per day. Learn more about treatment timing at https://gammacore.com/getting-started/dosing/.

We recommend using the highest intensity level comfortably tolerated. This number is different for everyone, users typically feel optimal intensity between 15 and 25. For best results, raise the intensity to a level where you feel a slight “lip pull” sensation.

Yes, gammaCore is safe to use with any other prescribed or over the counter medication.

The gammaCore Sapphire^TM device comes preloaded with 3 months (93 days) of consecutive treatment. Each day the device allows up to 24 stimulations, so you can treat multiple attacks, if needed. If obtaining your device through the VA, treatment duration may vary.

gammaCore is a safe and well-tolerated non-drug treatment. Most side effects are mild, occur while using the device, and disappear soon after each treatment. In clinical studies, <5% of participants experienced mild side effects, including but not limited to:

• Application site discomfort, irritation, and redness
• Muscle twitching and/or contractions
• Local pain, face/head/neck area (including toothache)
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Tingling, pricking, or a feeling of “pins and needles” on the skin where the device is applied

It is safe to travel with gammaCore. The device contains a lithium battery, we recommend storing gammaCore in your carry-on luggage to assure it is not exposed to extreme conditions. One tube of conductive gel is within the TSA liquid carry on regulation.

See the comparison chart below for some differences between gammaCore and other treatments.

*Always speak with your healthcare provider to determine the best option for you.

gammaCore works by sending gentle electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve, which helps manage pain signals in the brain. During treatments, gammaCore is placed on either side of the neck where the vagus nerve is located. The device sends patented electrical pulses through the skin to stimulate the vagus nerve. This stimulation prompts the vagus nerve to send messages to the brain, alleviating symptoms and providing fast relief. This action can also help prevent future migraine and cluster headache attacks.

gammaCore is FDA-cleared with 6 indications for headache. It is intended for preventive and acute migraine treatment in adolescents and adults ages 12 and up, as well as adult acute and preventive treatment of cluster headache, and the treatment of hemicrania continua and paroxysmal hemicrania.

For full Indications and Important Safety Information, visit https://gammacore.com/about/important-safety-information/.

Yes, gammaCore is FDA-cleared with robust scientific and clinical data in migraine to support its safe and effective use, including:

• 7 randomized controlled clinical trials
• >30 mechanism of action peer-reviewed papers, and
• >40 peer-reviewed clinical papers.

For more information on our clinical studies, visit: https://gammacore.com/prescribing-gammacore/clinical-efficacy/

Talk to your health care provider to determine if gammaCore is right for you. See Important Safety Information and Instructions for Use.

gammaCore is available by prescription only from your health care provider. If you have a prescription, fax it to
855-647-1320 or email orders@electrocore.com. If you need a prescription, download the prescription form and have your health care provider send it over.

Need a health care provider? Search our clinic finder to find a provider near you at
https://www.gammacore.com/clinic-finder/.

Active-duty military and Veterans can obtain a prescription through the VA. Learn more about the process at https://www.gammacore.com/for-veterans/.

Yes, your gammaCore expenses may be eligible for reimbursement through your Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Patients can utilize their HSA or FSA funds to purchase gammaCore, offering a potentially tax-advantaged way to manage treatment costs. Please consult your specific HSA/FSA plan provider to confirm coverage and any required documentation.

gammaCore therapy results vary among individuals. Some patients may experience rapid relief after an acute treatment at the onset of migraine or episodic cluster headache pain. Using the device several times a day as a preventive therapy may reduce the severity, duration, and frequency of certain headaches and potentially decrease reliance on headache medications. Your doctor will determine the best nVNS treatment regimen for you. Most patients see a response within 3-5 acute attacks or after 4-8 weeks of preventive therapy. An adequate trial is essential to assess your response to gammaCore therapy.