By targeting this receptor, Fasenra promotes destruction of these cells via antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Research has shown approximately 12% of people receiving Fasenra develop antibodies to it, which has been associated with increased clearance of Fasenra and increased blood eosinophil levels. The side effects seen in children were very similar to those seen in adults. So dont be afraid to ask questions or offer feedback on your treatment. But if your fever lasts more than 3 days or is higher than 103F (about 39.4C), tell your doctor. You might also be interested in how Fasenra compares with Dupixent. If you are using this medicine at home, your doctor or nurse will teach you or your caregiver how to inject the medicine. What should I know about treatments for my asthma besides Fasenra? Applies to benralizumab: subcutaneous solution. What to Do If Your Asthma Treatment Stops Working, 14 Natural Ways to Help Treat Severe Asthma. These lists contain examples of serious side effects that can occur with Xolair, or with Fasenra and Xolair (when taken individually). Fasenra is given as an injection under your skin (subcutaneous injection). Chronic systemic inflammation occurs when the immune system is constantly at work. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). But animal studies dont always predict what may occur in humans. For more information and to find out if youre eligible for support, call 833-360-HELP (833-360-4357) or visit the program website. And if your asthma symptoms ever feel life threatening, call 911 or seek emergency medical help. Below are commonly used dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes. But these drugs do have some differences as well. Safety and efficacy have not been established. Symptoms of an allergic reaction to Fasenra can include: swelling of your face, including your mouth and tongue trouble breathing fainting dizziness low blood pressure or feeling lightheaded. This medicine will not stop an asthma attack that has already started. In some cases, they may gradually reduce your corticosteroid dosage. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco. Doing so could cause harmful effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. The most common joints affected include the knees, ankles, wrists, hands and fingers. But joint pain isn't typically a common side effect in people who take Dupixent for eczema or asthma.. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Fasenra removes almost all eosinophils from your blood within 24 hours after taking the drug. Its not known if Fasenra is safe to take during pregnancy. These lists dont include all possible side effects. Both drugs are also known as monoclonal antibodies. If youre interested in finding an alternative to Fasenra, talk with your doctor. These cells are part of your immune system. Seek medical advice if your asthma remains uncontrolled or worsens after initiation of treatment with Fasenra. Cytokines are small secreted proteins that are involved in cell signaling and interactions. You and your doctor will decide which option is best for you. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Do not use the pen if it looks damaged or broken. Different individuals may respond to . However, its not known if the drug would have any effect on a child who is breastfed. Fasenra is not indicated for the treatment of other eosinophilic conditions such as eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Churg-Strauss syndrome) or hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES). Nucala, on the other hand, may be used in children ages 6 years and older. Fasenra may be used in children ages 12 years and older. Separate studies of the two drugs were compared in a larger review of studies. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine. Fasenra isnt meant to treat sudden asthma symptoms, which are called asthma attacks or flare-ups. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. Fasenra (benralizumab) is an injectable drug prescribed for adults and children 12 and over who have eosinophilic asthma a rare form of asthma in which levels of white blood cells called eosinophils are abnormally high. No. This type of drug is a large protein that affects the way certain parts of your body work. Heres some detail on several of the side effects this drug may or may not cause. Fasenra 30 mg/mL single-dose prefilled syringe (medicine). This enhances apoptosis, or programmed cell death, of eosinophils via a process called antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). Fasenra contains the active drug benralizumab, which is a biologic medication. When that happens, it doesn't mean you have to give. According to an article published in the International Archives of Allergy and Immunology, experts believe that drinking alcohol can trigger asthma flare-ups. If you have a certain kind of asthma, your doctor may prescribe Fasenra. Eosinophils contain a protein called interleukin-5 receptor. Serious side effects from Fasenra arent common, but they can occur. You can find details about asthma in the Medical News Today asthma and allergies hub. This medicine comes in two forms: a prefilled syringe (to be given by the doctor or other healthcare professional) and prefilled autoinjector or Fasenra Pen (to be used by the patient or caregiver). Do not double doses. These include an FAQ, a video, and how to contact a nurse for training help. Throw away used syringes in a hard, closed container where the needles cannot poke through. joint pain, stiffness, or swelling redness of the skin swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, hands, or feet tightness in the chest troubled breathing or swallowing Incidence not known Cough dizziness puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue unusual tiredness or weakness Other side effects of Fasenra Fasenra is also a monoclonal antibody. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Fasenra (Benralizumab Prefilled Syringes). Doing so could cause harmful effects. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. (Biosimilars are like generic drugs. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them: Frequency not reported: Anaphylaxis, angioedema[Ref], Frequency not reported: Immunogenicity[Ref], Common (1% to 10%): Injection site reactions (e.g., pain, erythema, pruritus, papule)[Ref], Common (1% to 10%): Pharyngitis (bacterial, viral, or streptococcal), cough[Ref]. Common side effects include headache, fever, pharyngitis, and injection site reactions. They may recommend treatments to help you feel better. Do not use more Fasenra than your doctor recommends. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. To avoid missing a dose of Fasenra, try setting a reminder on your phone or calendar. In certain people, Xolair is also approved to treat: Youll use Xolair with your other asthma medications rather than by itself. But if your throat pain is severe or lasts more than a few days, tell your doctor. Many women find their joints suddenly become stiff and painful during perimenopause and menopause, and it is also harder to build up and maintain muscle. Both drugs are known as monoclonal antibodies. The goal of HES treatment . In comparison, 6% of people who took a placebo had headaches. . These medications may interact and cause very harmful effects. But alcohol may trigger asthma attacks for some people. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas. Wash your hands and clean the injection site with an alcohol swab. Keep joints healthy from the get-go. Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. Youll use Fasenra with the other drugs youre taking, which may include steroids (also called corticosteroids). Then your dosage will change to one dose every 8 weeks. For this use, the drug is approved in adults as well as children ages 6 years and older. You might. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Such studies help doctors learn more about the safety of certain drugs during pregnancy. It treats asthma, eczema, and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. Below are some common questions about taking Fasenra. This helps prevent others, including children and pets, from taking the drug by accident. The systemic clearance of Fasenra is 0.29 L/day in people weighing 154 pounds (which is about 70 kilograms). These drugs havent been directly compared in clinical studies. Fasenra isnt currently available in biosimilar form. They also express IL-5R like eosinophils do and play a role in the airway inflammation associated with asthma. Your doctor will likely have you continue to use inhaled or oral corticosteroids. Here are a few tips that might help guide your discussion: Remember, your doctor and other healthcare professionals are available to help you. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. The drug comes in two forms: Each syringe or pen contains one dose of Fasenra. Instead, reductions should be gradual and performed under the direct supervision of a physician. Do not inject into any areas that are bruised, tender, red, scaly, or hard. If you use a corticosteroid medicine (inhaled or taken by mouth) to control your asthma, keep using it unless your doctor tells you otherwise. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. Taking a medication with certain vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the medication works. The FDA is currently deciding whether to approve Fasenra for treating nasal polyps. Flu-like symptoms. If you think youve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. This means that your doctor and insurance company will need to communicate about your prescription before the insurance company will cover the drug. Youll often take steroids every day for long-term treatment, or you may take them just during asthma flare-ups. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Fasenra to treat certain conditions. With eosinophilic asthma, you also have high levels of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell). Fasenra may cause joint pain. If you have a parasitic infection, it should be treated before you start Fasenra. Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Fasenra only for the indication prescribed. Uncontrolled asthma is when a person has frequent and disruptive asthma symptoms, such as wheezing, chest tightness, or asthma attacks. Do not use the pen if it looks damaged or broken. With this condition, high levels of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) are found in your airways. Heres some information about the uses of Fasenra and Xolair. Its a type of drug called a biologic. The improvement in exacerbation rates started to appear 4 weeks after administration with Fasenra, suggesting that it begins to have a beneficial effect shortly after patients start taking it. Detailed drug Information for Fasenra. Off-label use is when a drug thats approved to treat one condition is prescribed to treat a different condition. Heres a short list of some of the mild side effects that Fasenra can cause. Therefore, both medications can cause some similar side effects. The phase IV clinical study analyzes which people take Fasenra and have Joint pain. Fasenra is available only as a brand-name medication. Dont shake, freeze, or expose Fasenra to heat. flushing . This side effect is more common with higher doses of Fasenra. You should also not inject into scars, stretch marks, or areas of eczema. This can trigger an overreaction that causes the body to attack itself. Fasenra does not replace your rescue inhaler, which is used to treat sudden asthma symptoms. Nasal polyps are growths in the lining of your nose that arent cancerous. Fasenra starts working straight away. Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of benralizumab injection in children younger than 12 years of age. Before taking Fasenra, talk with your doctor about your health history. But if you think youre having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. Asthma is a condition in which your airways become swollen, making it hard to breathe. A program called Fasenra 360 may also help lower the cost of the drug. The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. If youd like to learn about treatments for COPD, see this article, or talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Fasenra and Xolair are both prescribed to treat asthma. Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Biosimilars are based on biologic medications, which are made from living sources such as proteins or DNA. IL-5 is the main cytokine responsible for the growth and differentiation, recruitment, activation, and survival of eosinophils. What should be considered before using Fasenra? Fasenra should not be shaken, frozen, or exposed to heat. This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription. These are a type of white blood cell that are found mostly in your airways. Note: Fasenra should not be used to treat other conditions caused by a high level of eosinophils. These types of drugs are large proteins that affect the way certain parts of your body work. Stopping treatment may reduce the effect of Fasenra and lead to asthma flare-ups. Check with your doctor on the best ways to treat asthma attacks and help prevent them. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. There arent any known interactions between Fasenra and any drugs, herbs, foods, or supplements. Fasenra is FDA-approved to treat severe eosinophilic asthma in adults and children ages 12 years and older. Fasenra is a monoclonal antibody (IgG1, kappa) that binds to IL-5R, the alpha subunit of the human interleukin-5 receptor. (Conditions or factors that could prevent your doctor from prescribing a medication are called contraindications.) There are no known pharmacokinetic drug interactions with Fasenra. Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include: skin rash. As a result, theres less inflammation (swelling), and you have a lower risk for asthma flare-ups. Find out about the newest treatment options available for severe asthma and how they work. In addition to conventional medications for severe asthma, you may want to consider natural strategies to manage your symptoms. With the prefilled syringe form, a healthcare professional will give you Fasenra as an injection under your skin (subcutaneous injection). Keep it in its original carton to protect it from light. Last updated on Feb 24, 2023. Follow these tips for storing your Fasenra pens at home: If you have additional questions about storage and disposal of Fasenra pens, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Since oxygen is carried in air, this condition reduces how much oxygen reaches the cells inside your body. Do not save an open autoinjector. But alcohol can be dangerous for people with asthma. 1. But if you dont use the Fasenra pens within that time frame, you must dispose of them. This will save you from going to your doctor every two months. They may look at your throat and recommend treatments to help you feel better. If you have asthma, your airways are swollen. However, clinical trials of similar medications suggest that if Fasenra is used during the third trimester of pregnancy (week 28 through the birth of your baby), the drug will pass to the growing fetus.