Skip to main content

Compare
Dupixent vs. Fasenra

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Dupixent (dupilumab) and Fasenra (benralizumab) are both injectable biologic medications used to treat inflammatory conditions, specifically asthma. However, they belong to different medication classes and have distinct uses and characteristics. Dupixent is a monoclonal antibody that treats a variety of conditions in addition to asthma, including eczema, sinus congestion with nasal polyps, and eosinophilic esophagitis, among others. Fasenra, on the other hand, is an interleukin antagonist specifically approved for severe eosinophilic asthma. Dupixent is available as a pre-filled pen and syringe, with dosing that varies based on the condition being treated, while Fasenra is available as a pen and is typically injected every month for the first three months, then every two months. Dupixent is not available in a generic form and is approved for use in children as young as 6 months for eczema, whereas Fasenra is approved for children 6 years old and older. Common side effects of Dupixent include injection site reactions and eye inflammation, while Fasenra may cause headache and sore throat. Both medications can cause serious allergic reactions and should not be used to treat asthma attacks.

Dupixent

(dupilumab)

Get free coupons

Fasenra

(benralizumab)

Get free coupons

Summary for Dupixent

Prescription only

Dupixent (dupilumab) is an injection that helps treat certain inflammatory conditions. This includes eczema, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), among others. It's a biologic medication known as an interleukin antagonist that lowers inflammation. Dupixent (dupilumab) comes as prefilled pens and prefilled syringes. It's injected under the skin of the belly or thighs (or in the back of the upper arm with someone's help). The dosing schedule depends on the condition you have, your age, and your weight. It's injected either every week, every 2 weeks, or every 4 weeks. Side effects include injection site reactions and eye problems.

Indications for Dupixent

Pros and Cons for Dupixent

Pros

  • Taken every other week or monthly for most conditions
  • Approved for some children (specific age depends on the condition)
  • Available as prefilled pens (for people ages 2 years and older)
  • Available as prefilled syringes (for people ages 6 months and older)

Cons

  • Given as an injection under the skin
  • Not used for helping with asthma attacks
  • Can cause injection reactions, such as pain, bruising, and swelling
  • Unknown if it's safe or works well while pregnant or breastfeeding

Common Side Effects for Dupixent

  • Injection site reaction (e.g., pain, swelling, bruising; 10%)
  • Eye redness or eye inflammation (10%)
  • Cold sores (4%)

Warnings for Dupixent

  • Allergic reactions
  • Eye inflammation
  • Other inflammation in the body
  • Risk of worsening of breathing problems in people with asthma or COPD
  • Risk of psoriasis
  • Joint pain and psoriatic arthritis
  • Unknown effect in people with parasitic worm infections
  • Interaction with vaccines

Summary for Fasenra

Prescription only

Fasenra (benralizumab) is a brand-name injectable medication. It treats severe eosinophilic asthma in people 6 years and older. The medication can also help treat eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) in adults. It works as an interleukin antagonist to lower inflammation and relieve symptoms. You inject the medication under the skin with the Fasenra autoinjector pen. For eosinophilic asthma, the usual dosing schedule is an injection every 4 weeks for the first 3 months, then once every 8 weeks after that. For EGPA, it's injected every 4 weeks. Side effects can include headache and sore throat.

Indications for Fasenra

  • Severe eosinophilic asthma in people 6 years and older - as an add-on treatment
  • Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) in adults

Pros and Cons for Fasenra

Pros

  • Can inject at home after you get trained
  • Available as an autoinjector pen for easier use at home
  • Can help lower the rate of asthma attacks in people with severe eosinophilic asthma
  • Can help people who have EGPA get to remission (when symptoms go away)

Cons

  • Must be injected under the skin
  • Not for treating asthma attacks as they're happening
  • Not approved for children under 6 years old with severe eosinophilic asthma
  • Not approved for children under 18 with EGPA

Common Side Effects for Fasenra

  • Headache (8%)
  • Sore throat (5%)
  • Fever (3%)
  • Rash (3%)

Warnings for Fasenra

  • Serious allergic reactions
  • Not for asthma attacks
  • Avoid stopping your steroid medications suddenly
  • Get parasitic worm infections treated

Prices with our coupons for Dupixent vs. Fasenra

Price Card Drug Icon
Dupixent2 cartons / 2 pens of 300mg/2ml
--
Get free coupons
More Information
Price Card Drug Icon
Fasenra1 autoinjector / 30mg/ml
--
Get free coupons
More Information

Compare other Asthma drugs

Dupixent vs. AdbryDupixent vs. FasenraDupixent vs. SymbicortDupixent vs. XolairEbglyss vs. Dupixent
Eohilia vs. DupixentEucrisa vs. DupixentNucala vs. DupixentOhtuvayre vs. DupixentRinvoq vs. DupixentSkyrizi vs. DupixentTezspire vs. DupixentTremfya vs. DupixentDuobrii vs. SkyriziEntyvio vs. SkyriziNucala vs. FasenraOmvoh vs. SkyriziRinvoq vs. SkyriziSkyrizi vs. BimzelxSkyrizi vs. CosentyxSkyrizi vs. EnbrelSkyrizi vs. HumiraSkyrizi vs. IlumyaSkyrizi vs. OtezlaSkyrizi vs. RemicadeSkyrizi vs. SimponiSkyrizi vs. TaltzSotyktu vs. SkyriziStelara vs. SkyriziTremfya vs. Skyrizi

Browse medications by letter

Show All

Browse prescription and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.