Key takeaways
Nucala (mepolizumab) and Fasenra (benralizumab) are both interleukin antagonists used to treat severe asthma, specifically targeting eosinophilic inflammation. They work by blocking interleukin-5 (IL-5), which helps reduce eosinophil levels and inflammation. However, they differ in several ways. Nucala is approved for additional conditions like chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), and hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES), while Fasenra is only approved for severe eosinophilic asthma. Nucala is typically injected once a month, whereas Fasenra is injected monthly for the first three months and then every two months. Nucala is available as a prefilled autoinjector or syringe, while Fasenra comes as a prefilled pen. Common side effects of Nucala include headache and injection-site reactions, while Fasenra may cause headache and sore throat, as well as injection site reactions. Both medications can cause serious allergic reactions and may affect your ability to fight infections, so it's important to monitor for symptoms and consult a healthcare professional if needed.
