Ebglyss
Ebglyss (lebrikizumab or lebrikizumab-lbkz) is an injectable medication that’s used to treat moderate-to-severe eczema. It’s approved for people 12 years of age and older who weigh at least 88 lbs. This medication is an interleukin-13 antagonist, which works to reduce swelling and discomfort of the skin caused by eczema. Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) is used when topical products aren’t working well enough or when you can’t use them at all. Some people have had side effects like pink eye and pain around the injection site while using Ebglyss (lebrikizumab).
What is Ebglyss (lebrikizumab)?
What is Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) used for?
- Moderate-to-severe eczema
How Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) works
Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) is a type of monoclonal antibody called an interleukin-13 (IL-13) antagonist. It blocks a protein in your body called IL-13, which plays a role in causing eczema. By blocking IL-13, Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) helps to decrease swelling and irritation in the skin.
Drug facts
Side effects of Ebglyss (lebrikizumab)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Pink eye (10%)
- Injection site reactions (e.g. pain, swelling, redness; 3%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Headache
- Herpes zoster (shingles)
- Symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection
Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Allergic reaction: breathing problems; swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat; hives; itching; stomach cramps; dizziness
- Eye problems: eye pain, changes in vision, blurred vision
The following Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Eye pain, redness, irritation, or discharge with blurry or decreased vision
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Pain, redness, or irritation at injection site
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Pros and cons of Ebglyss (lebrikizumab)
Pros
- Can use with or without topical corticosteroids
- Approved for eczema in certain children 12 years of age and older who weigh at least 88 pounds
- Injected once every two or four weeks
Cons
- Must inject under the skin
- Can increase the risk of pink eye
- Can’t get any live vaccines during treatment
Pharmacist tips for Ebglyss (lebrikizumab)
- You can inject Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) yourself or have a caregiver help you. But both of you must get trained by a healthcare professional first. They’ll teach you how to safely inject the medication under the skin.
- Inject Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) under the skin in your stomach, thigh, or upper arm. If you use your upper arm, have someone help you inject it. Rotate injection sites to avoid scarring and discomfort. You can use the same general area on your body, but don’t put the needle in the same spot every time.
- Follow the dosing schedule for your Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) injections. You can use a calendar reminder or alarm to help remember when your injections are. If you miss a dose, inject it as soon as you remember. Then, inject your next dose that’s on your regular schedule.
- Some people can have swelling, redness, or warmth at the injection site within a few hours after using Ebglyss (lebrikizumab). This usually goes away within 1 to 2 days. Try using warm compresses, ice packs, and over-the-counter pain medications to relieve symptoms. If your symptoms worsen after a day, tell your prescriber.
- You can use Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) with or without topical corticosteroids. You can also use topical calcineurin inhibitors, like tacrolimus (Protopic), on sensitive areas like the face, neck, and genitals.
- Tell your primary care provider and pharmacist if you plan on getting any vaccines while taking Ebglyss (lebrikizumab). This medication can change your immune response to some vaccines. Avoid live vaccines while you’re taking Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) since you might be more likely to get sick from the vaccine.
- Store Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) in the refrigerator and keep it in its original carton to protect it from light. Don’t freeze or shake it. If needed, you can also store it at room temperature (up to 86°F) for up to 7 days before you have to throw it away.
How to inject Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) using the prefilled pen
- Make sure the pen is locked. When you’re ready, uncap the pen by twisting off the gray base cap.
- Place and hold the clear base flat against your skin. Then, unlock the pen. With the pen still against your skin, press and hold the purple injection button for 15 seconds. Listen for two loud clicks before removing it from your skin. The first click tells you that the injection started and the second one means that it’s complete.
- After each injection, throw the used pen away in a sharps container or an appropriate household container to prevent injuries.
How to inject Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) using the prefilled syringe
- Before you inject, let the syringe sit out at room temperature for 45 minutes. Don’t microwave it, run it under hot water, or leave it in direct sunlight to warm it up. This could damage the medication.
- When you’re ready, hold the syringe in the middle and pull the needle cap straight off. Gently pinch a fold of skin with one hand and insert the needle at a 45° angle with your other hand. Relax the pinch once the needle is fully into the skin. Then, push the plunger all the way down to inject the medication.
- Let go of the plunger until the needle is completely hidden by the shield. You can press a cotton ball to the area where you injected the medication if you see blood (don’t rub the skin).
- After each injection, throw the used syringe away in a sharps container or an approved household container. Sharps containers protect people from accidental needle sticks.
More on Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) tips
Common questions about Ebglyss (lebrikizumab)
Two studies showed that Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) helped more people have clear or almost clear skin than placebo. In one study, 43% of people taking Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) saw this improvement in their skin after 4 months. And in the other study, 33% of people taking Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) had clear or almost clear skin after the same amount of time. Follow up with your prescriber about how well Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) might work for your eczema.
The first part of treatment takes at least 16 weeks (or almost 4 months). You’ll inject Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) every 2 weeks to help clear your eczema. Once your skin clears up, you’ll start maintenance treatment, which doesn’t have a set end date. You'll keep injecting Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) every 4 weeks, even if your symptoms have already improved. This helps your eczema stay under control and prevent flare ups. Follow up with your prescriber even after your eczema gets better. Talk to a healthcare professional if you have any side effects that bother you. Also talk to them first if you want to change eczema medications or stop treatment for any reason. They'll discuss next steps with you.
In clinical trials, some people had clear or almost clear skin by week 4 of treatment with Ebglyss (lebrikizumab). Some people also had less itchiness by week 4. For other people, it took up to 4 months of treatment to get rid of eczema. Ask your prescriber if you have questions about how fast Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) can help improve your eczema.
You can inject Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) under the skin in the stomach area, but avoid the space within 2 inches of your belly button. Another place you can inject into is the thigh. You can also choose to inject Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) into the back of your upper arm. But it’s best to have someone else assist you in this situation. Make sure you rotate injection sites so that your skin doesn’t get scarred and sore. You should only inject the medication into healthy areas of the skin. Avoid any areas where there’s eczema, bruising, or redness.
Don’t use your Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) if it has particles in it or looks cloudy. It should be clear or translucent and slightly yellow to brown. Let your primary care provider know as soon as possible that your medication doesn’t look right. They can work to get you another one from the pharmacy.
If you’re using the Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) prefilled pen, you don’t need to warm it up to room temperature before you inject the medication. If you’re using the Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) prefilled syringe, leave it at room temperature for 45 minutes with the needle cap on before injecting. Don’t microwave the medication, run hot water over it, or leave it in the direct sunlight. Direct heat or light might damage the medication.
It’s unknown if Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) is safe to use during pregnancy. Talk to your primary care provider or obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) about the risks and benefits of this medication. If you become pregnant during treatment, tell your primary care provider so they can consider alternatives, like a topical steroid. You or your primary care provider can also call Eli Lilly at 1-800-5979 to report the pregnancy.
It’s unknown if Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) is safe to use while breastfeeding. Talk to your primary care provider about safer options, like topical steroids. If you want to use Ebglyss (lebrikizumab), speak with your primary care provider about alternative feeding options like baby formula.
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Risks and warnings for Ebglyss (lebrikizumab)
Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk of allergic reaction
Swelling of the face, lips, or tongue have occurred after taking Ebglyss (lebrikizumab). Some people have also experienced hives. Stop taking Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) and seek help if you notice any of these reactions.
Risk of pink eye and inflammation of the cornea
Studies showed that the risk of pink eye was higher in people taking Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) than those who weren’t taking any medication. These cases included both allergic and bacterial pink eye during the first 4 months of treatment. Other people also reported inflammation of the cornea, with symptoms like eye redness and pain. Most times, these eye problems were mild or moderate and went away on their own. Let your primary care provider know about any new or worsening eye symptoms to prevent permanent damage.
Use with caution in people with parasitic (worm) infections
Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) wasn’t tested in people with parasitic (worm) infections. So, we don’t know if this medication will change how your immune system fights these infections.
Before starting Ebglyss (lebrikizumab), make sure any parasitic infections are treated. If you get a parasitic worm infection while taking this medication, let your prescriber know so you can start treatment to kill the bug. If the infection doesn’t go away, you’ll probably have to stop using Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) until it clears up.
Risk of infection with live vaccinations
Avoid getting any live vaccines right before starting treatment and also while taking Ebglyss (lebrikizumab). Live vaccines contain weakened germs, which your body can normally fight. But Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) can weaken your immune response, which can increase your risk of infection from live vaccines.
Tell your primary care provider that you’re taking Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) before getting any vaccines. Even though you can’t get live vaccines, you may still be able to get some other vaccines. This includes the flu shot that’s injected into the muscle.
Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) dosage
Carton| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 syringe of 250mg/2ml | 2 cartons | $7,174.70 | $3,587.35 |
| 1 Prefilled Pen of 250mg/2ml | 2 cartons | $7,174.70 | $3,587.35 |
Typical dosage for Ebglyss (lebrikizumab)
You’ll typically follow a dosing schedule below:
- Week 0 (when you start the medication): The dose is two 250 mg injections (500 mg) under your skin once.
- Week 2: The dose is two 250 mg injections (500 mg) under your skin once.
- Weeks 4 through 16 (or until symptoms are controlled): The dose is one 250 mg injection under your skin every two weeks.
- The following weeks (maintenance): The dose is one 250 mg injection under your skin every four weeks.
How much does Ebglyss (lebrikizumab) cost?
$7,174.70
What are alternatives to Ebglyss (lebrikizumab)?
