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.
Severe eosinophilic asthma in people 6 years and older - as an add-on treatment
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) in adults
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.
Source: DailyMed
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
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)
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Severe eosinophilic asthma in people 6 years and older - as an add-on treatment
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) in adults
Moderate-to-severe eczema - for people 6 months and older
Moderate-to-severe asthma - add-on maintenance for people 6 years and older
Long-term sinus congestion with nasal polyps - add-on maintenance for people 12 years and older
Eosinophilic esophagitis - for people 1 year and older
Prurigo nodularis (long-term itchy skin bumps) - for adults
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) - add-on maintenance for adults
Long-term hives - for people 12 years and older
By providing your email, you consent to receive marketing communications from GoodRx, which may include content and/or data related to men’s health, women's health, reproductive care, or sexual health. You agree to the GoodRx Terms of Use and acknowledge the Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Alshami, I., et al. (2023). Helminthiasis. StatPearls.
American Lung Association. (2024). Learn about eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA).
American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders. (2020). Eosinophilic asthma.
AstraZeneca. (2024). Fasenra approved in the US for eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis.
AstraZeneca. (2024). Instructions for Use - Fasenra Pen™ (fas-en-rah) (benralizumab) for subcutaneous injection single-dose autoinjector.
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP. (2024). Fasenra- benralizumab injection, solution [package insert]. DailyMed.
MedlinePlus. (2017). Eosinophilic disorders.
Pelaia, C., et al. (2019). Interleukin-5 in the pathophysiology of severe asthma. Frontiers in Physiology.
Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.