3 Biologics for Lupus and Promising New Treatments on the Horizon
Biologic medications such as belimumab and rituximab show promise in treating lupus by targeting specific immune-system pathways.
Saphnelo
Used for Lupus
Used for Lupus
Saphnelo (anifrolumab or anifrolumab-fnia) is an FDA approved injection used along with other medications to treat adults with moderate-to-severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune condition that causes your immune system to mistakenly attack your own body. It's given either as an infusion into a vein once a month by a healthcare professional or as an injection under the skin once a week at home. Common side effects include upper respiratory tract infections, bronchitis, and cough.
What is Saphnelo (anifrolumab)?
What is Saphnelo (anifrolumab) used for?
- Moderate-to-severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in adults
How Saphnelo (anifrolumab) works
Saphnelo (anifrolumab) is a type I interferon (IFN) receptor antagonist, meaning it blocks the activity of proteins called type I IFNs. If you have lupus, these proteins can make your immune system too active.
By blocking type I IFNs, Saphnelo (anifrolumab) helps calm your immune system and reduce inflammation.
When does Saphnelo (anifrolumab) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Saphnelo |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Type I interferon receptor antagonist |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
More on Saphnelo (anifrolumab) essentials
Side effects of Saphnelo (anifrolumab)
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
- Upper respiratory infection (34%)
- Bronchitis (11%)
- Infusion-related reactions (9%)
- Shingles (6%)
- Cough (5%)
*Note: These side effects were reported in clinical studies with the IV infusion.
Less Common Side Effects
- Other respiratory infections
- Allergic reactions
Saphnelo (anifrolumab) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Severe infection: confusion, fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches, weakness, cough, sweating, chills, stomach pain, diarrhea, burning sensation when you urinate, urinating more often, warm or painful skin or sores on your body
- Serious allergic reaction: swelling in the face or tongue, breathing problems, dizziness, lightheadedness,
The following Saphnelo (anifrolumab) 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
- Infection—fever, chills, cough, sore throat, wounds that don't heal, pain or trouble when passing urine, general feeling of discomfort or being unwell
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Cough
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Nausea
- Sore throat
Get your GoodRx coupon
N/A
GoodRx discount
$5939.05
Pros and cons of Saphnelo (anifrolumab)
Pros
- Helps to improve moderate-to-severe SLE when used with other lupus medications
- Available as either an IV infusion or a once-weekly self injection
- IV treatment is given once a month
Cons
- The IV infusion needs to be given by a healthcare professional
- Risk of serious infections
- Only approved for adults, not for children
Pharmacist tips for Saphnelo (anifrolumab)
- Saphnelo (anifrolumab) can raise your risk of serious infections. Get medical help right away if you have fever, cough, trouble breathing, or feel very weak. You might have to stop taking the medication until the infection gets better.
- Tell your healthcare team you're taking Saphnelo (anifrolumab) before getting any vaccines. Some live vaccines might not be safe while you're using this medication.
- Saphnelo (anifrolumab) can cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Get emergency medical help right away if you have trouble breathing, swelling of your face or throat, dizziness, or a severe rash during or after treatment.
- Pregnancy: Tell your prescriber if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant before taking Saphnelo (anifrolumab). There isn't enough information to know if it's safe during pregnancy. If you take this medication while pregnant, consider joining the pregnancy registry by calling 1-877-693-9268.
- Breastfeeding: It's not known whether Saphnelo (anifrolumab) is safe during breastfeeding. Although studies suggest that only small amounts pass into breast milk, it's generally recommended to wait at least 2 weeks after giving birth before restarting treatment. Talk with your prescriber about the risks and benefits of breastfeeding during treatment.
IV infusion:
- Keep your appointments to receive Saphnelo (anifrolumab) on time. If you miss an appointment, contact your care team as soon as possible to reschedule.
- Saphnelo (anifrolumab) can cause infusion-related reactions, such as headache, tiredness, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Tell your care team if these symptoms bother you or become severe.
Injection under the skin:
- Your prescriber will teach you how to inject under the skin at home. Read the instructions for your prefilled syringe or autoinjector, and ask your care team if you have questions.
- Store the medication in the refrigerator in its original carton. You can keep it at room temperature for up to 7 days, but don't put it back in the refrigerator.
- Before injecting, let the medication sit at room temperature for about 60 minutes before injecting it. Don't warm it any other way.
- Inject it into the fat under the skin of your lower stomach (at least 2 inches from your belly button) or the front of your thigh. If a caregiver gives the injection, they can also use the back of your upper arm. Use a different injection site each time.
- Don't inject it into a muscle or vein. Also, don't inject through clothing, or into skin that is red, bruised, tender, hard, scarred, tattooed, or damaged.
- Prefilled syringe: Hold the syringe at a 45° angle and insert the needle into a pinched area of skin using a quick, dart-like motion.
- Autoinjector: Hold the autoinjector at a 90° angle with the green needle guard flat against your skin. Press down firmly and hold for 15 seconds until the viewing window fills with green.
- Throw away each used syringe or autoinjector in a sharps container right away. Never reuse it or throw it in the regular trash.
Risks and warnings for Saphnelo (anifrolumab)
Saphnelo (anifrolumab) 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 infections
- Risk factors: Active infection | Long-term or recurrent infection
Saphnelo (anifrolumab) can affect your immune system and make it harder for your body to fight infections. This can raise your risk of serious infections, including COVID-19, shingles, and other infections that can sometimes be life-threatening. Your risk is higher if you have an active infection, get infections often, or have a long-term infection.
Contact your care team right away if you develop signs of an infection, such as a fever, cough, trouble breathing, painful rash or blisters, or if you're not getting better with treatment. You might have to stop Saphnelo (anifrolumab) until the infection goes away.
Serious allergic reactions
Serious allergic reactions to Saphnelo (anifrolumab) can happen, including life-threatening reactions like anaphylaxis. Get emergency medical help right away if you have trouble breathing, swelling of your face or throat, hives, dizziness, or feel like you might faint during or after treatment. If you have a serious allergic reaction, your care team will stop the medication and treat the reaction.
Potential risk for cancer
Saphnelo (anifrolumab) might raise your risk of certain cancers because it affects your immune system. It's not known whether this medication directly increases cancer risk. Tell your prescriber if you have a history of cancer or develop cancer while taking Saphnelo (anifrolumab) so they can decide whether you should continue treatment.
Saphnelo (anifrolumab) dosage
How much does Saphnelo (anifrolumab) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Saphnelo (brand)
$5,939.05
What are alternatives to Saphnelo (anifrolumab)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Saphnelo (anifrolumab). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
News about Saphnelo (anifrolumab)
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FDA Approves Saphnelo: First New Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Medication in 10 Years
In exciting news for those with lupus, the FDA recently approved Saphnelo (anifrolumab) to treat systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This medication from AstraZeneca is the first new lupus drug approved in more than 10 years.
Saphnelo (anifrolumab) images
