Fasenra
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.
What is Fasenra (benralizumab)?
What is Fasenra (benralizumab) used for?
- Severe eosinophilic asthma in people 6 years and older - as an add-on treatment
- Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) in adults
How Fasenra (benralizumab) works
Fasenra (benralizumab) is a biologic medication. More specifically, it's an interleukin receptor antagonist. It blocks a protein called interleukin-5 (IL-5) receptor on eosinophils.
Eosinophils are white blood cells that can cause inflammation in the body. And inflammation plays a role in causing eosinophilic asthma and EGPA.
By blocking the IL-5 receptor, Fasenra (benralizumab) helps stop eosinophils from causing too much inflammation.
Drug facts
Side effects of Fasenra (benralizumab)
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
- Headache (8%)
- Sore throat (5%)
- Fever (3%)
- Rash (3%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Injection site reaction (e.g., pain, redness, itching, raised skin)
Fasenra (benralizumab) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious allergic reaction: trouble breathing; swelling in your face, lips, or tongue; rash; itchiness; fast heartbeat; nausea; vomiting; dizziness
The following Fasenra (benralizumab) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions or angioedema—skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs, trouble swallowing or breathing
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Headache
- Sore throat
Pros and cons of Fasenra (benralizumab)
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
Pharmacist tips for Fasenra (benralizumab)
- For people with eosinophilic asthma: You first inject Fasenra (benralizumab) every 4 weeks for the first 3 doses. Then, you inject once every 8 weeks. Put reminders on your calendar or phone to help you remember when to inject the medication.
- For people with EGPA: Inject Fasenra (benralizumab) every 4 weeks. Set up reminders on your calendar or phone so you don't miss any injections.
- Don't give Fasenra (benralizumab) injections until you understand how to use and inject the medication. Your care team will show you how to inject using the Fasenra pen before you can do it on your own at home. Ask your prescriber or pharmacist if you're not sure.
- If you take steroids or other asthma medications, keep taking them exactly as your prescriber told you, even while you take Fasenra (benralizumab). Don't stop these medications or lower your dose suddenly. If you do, you could have uncomfortable steroid withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your prescriber first before you make any changes to your medications.
Tips on how to use Fasenra (benralizumab):
- How to store Fasenra (benralizumab): Store the medication in the refrigerator in its original package. Don't let it freeze. If needed, you can keep the medication at room temperature up to 77ºF for up to 14 days in the original box. Once it's at room temperature, use it within 14 days before you need to throw it away.
- When it's time for your Fasenra (benralizumab) injection: Take the medication out of the refrigerator. Let it sit out for 30 minutes so it gets to room temperature before injecting.
- Where to inject Fasenra (benralizumab): Inject into the front of your thigh or your lower stomach (2 inches away from your belly button). Someone else can also help inject the medication into the upper arm. For each injection, pick a spot at least 1 inch away from your last injection. Avoid injecting into tender, bruised, scaly, hard, scarred, or damaged skin. These tips help lower the risk of skin irritation.
- How to inject with the Fasenra pen: Pull the cap straight off the pen. Place the green needle guard flat against your skin so the pen is at a 90-degree angle to your skin. Make sure you can see the viewing window. Then, press down for about 15 seconds. You'll hear a click when the injection starts and then another click later when it's done. Check that the whole viewing window has turned green. Then, lift the pen off your skin.
- How to throw away Fasenra (benralizumab): Throw away your used syringes and pens in a sharps disposal container right after injecting. Don't thow them out in the regular trash. This helps keep you and others safe from needle sticks.
Common questions about Fasenra (benralizumab)
In studies, people didn't report getting cancer while taking Fasenra (benralizumab). If you have questions about the possible dangers of getting cancer, talk to your prescriber.
It usually takes about 2 to 3 months for most of Fasenra (benralizumab) to leave your body after a single injection. This time frame is based on the medication's half-life. The half-life is how long it takes for half the medication to leave your body. If you have more questions about how long Fasenra (benralizumab) stays in your system, ask your prescriber.
In studies, people didn't get joint pain from Fasenra (benralizumab). For people with EGPA, keep in mind that joint pain can be a symptom of your health problem. Tell your prescriber about any joint pain that bother you. They can help see what might be causing it and recommend ways to relieve your pain.
In studies, people who took Fasenra (benralizumab) didn't say their weight changed. If you notice a lot of weight gain while taking this medication, let the prescriber know. For children 6 to 11 years old with asthma, the dose is based on weight. So it's important for the prescriber to know if you notice changes in weight in your child. The prescriber can make sure your child's dose is appropriate for their weight.
Fasenra (benralizumab) is injected under the skin. The care team will train you before you can inject on your own at home using the Fasenra pen. Inject Fasenra (benralizumab) into the front of your thighs or lower stomach (2 inches away from your belly button). If you're giving the injection to someone else, you can also help inject the medication into the upper arm. In general, choose a different spot to inject into each time to prevent skin irritation. Don't inject into skin that's bruised, red, tender, or hard. Ask your prescriber or pharmacist if you have more questions about how to inject Fasenra (benralizumab).
Yes, Fasenra (benralizumab) is a type of biologic. Biologics are medications that are made from living sources. Fasenra (benralizumab) is a protein that's made in the lab using cells. And proteins and cells are living sources. Specifically, Fasenra (benralizumab) is a type of protein called a monoclonal antibody. It's made to help with inflammation from eosinophilic asthma and EGPA.
You should take Fasenra (benralizumab) for as long as it's working to manage your condition. Along with this, you should take it as long as you don't have serious side effects from it (like an allergic reaction). Keep in mind that Fasenra (benralizumab) is not meant to be used to treat sudden trouble breathing or asthma attacks. Talk to your prescriber about how long you should take Fasenra (benralizumab).
Fasenra (benralizumab) and Dupixent (dupilumab) are both injectable medications that treat inflammatory conditions. Fasenra is approved for severe eosinophilic asthma in people 6 years and older and EGPA in adults. Dupixent can also help with these conditions (in both adults and children). But Dupixent is also approved for treating some other conditions. They include eczema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), long-term hives, and a few others. They also differ in how often they're injected. Fasenra is given every 4 or 8 weeks, depending on your condition and where you are in your treatment. But Dupixent is given every 2 weeks. Young children might need Dupixent injections every 4 weeks. Talk to your prescriber to compare the medications and see which is right for you.
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Risks and warnings for Fasenra (benralizumab)
Fasenra (benralizumab) 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.
Serious allergic reactions
People who took Fasenra (benralizumab) have sometimes had an allergic reaction to it. These reactions can include rash and hives. They can also include life-threatening reactions like swelling of the face and anaphylaxis. These reactions can happen within hours to days after your injection.
Watch out for signs of an allergic reaction. This includes rash, itching, dizziness, nausea, trouble breathing, and swelling in your face. If this happens, stop Fasenra (benralizumab) and get medical help right away.
Not for asthma attacks
Fasenra (benralizumab) is not for treating asthma attacks or any sudden breathing problems. Use a rescue inhaler, like albuterol (Ventolin), to quickly help with asthma attacks. If your asthma or breathing gets worse while taking Fasenra (benralizumab), talk to your prescriber.
If your rescue inhaler isn't working well during the asthma attack, get medical help right away. You might need other medications, like steroid pills, to help you breathe better.
Avoid stopping your steroid medications suddenly
You'll probably need to take steroid medications for your asthma or EGPA. It's very important to keep taking your steroid medication as prescribed when you start Fasenra (benralizumab).
Don't stop your steroid medication or lower the dose all of a sudden. If you do, you might have withdrawal symptoms that can be uncomfortable.
Talk to your prescriber if you want to take a lower dose of your steroids or if you want to stop them. Your prescriber will lower your steroid dose slowly before you can stop completely. This helps lower the risk of withdrawal.
Get parasitic worm infections treated
We don't know for sure if Fasenra (benralizumab) can make it harder for your body to fight off parasitic worm infections. The medication lowers the levels of certain white blood cells, which help your body fight germs.
To be safe, get any parasitic worm infections treated before starting Fasenra (benralizumab). And if you get one while taking Fasenra (benralizumab), tell your prescriber. They can get you medications to treat it. Your prescriber might also ask you to stop taking Fasenra (benralizumab) until your infection goes away.
Fasenra (benralizumab) dosage
Typical dosage for Fasenra (benralizumab)
-
Severe eosinophilic asthma
- People 12 years of age and older: The typical starting dose is 30 mg injected under the skin once every 4 weeks for the first 3 months. After that, the typical maintenance dose is 30 mg injected under the skin once every 8 weeks.
- Children 6 to 11 years of age
- Weigh 77 lbs or more: The typical starting dose is 30 mg injected under the skin once every 4 weeks for the first 3 months. After that, the typical maintenance dose is 30 mg injected under the skin once every 8 weeks.
- Weigh less than 77 lbs: The typical starting dose is 10 mg injected under the skin once every 4 weeks for the first 3 months. After that, the typical maintenance dose is 10 mg injected under the skin once every 8 weeks.
-
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA)
- Adults only: The recommended dose is 30 mg injected under the skin once every 4 weeks.
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