You can also ask your doctor if one of these drugs may be right for you. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Fasenra. Fasenra contains the drug benralizumab, while Xolair contains the drug omalizumab. Both Fasenra and Nucala (mepolizumab) are prescribed to treat severe eosinophilic asthma in adults and some children. It is unknown what effect Fasenra has during pregnancy on the unborn child. Fasenra is meant to be used with the other medications youre taking for asthma treatment. Rarely, allergic reactions may occur. Before using, take one Fasenra autoinjector out of the refrigerator, and leave it to warm up to room temperature for 30 to 40 minutes. Patients with a baseline blood eosinophil count 300 cells/L showed a numerically greater response than those with counts < 300 cells/L. But you should tell your doctor if these side effects become more severe or dont go away. You can also ask your pharmacist for information on how to dispose of your medication. Fasenra is a biologic that works by blocking the action of IL-5 which is the main cytokine responsible for the survival and production of eosinophils. If you do have an asthma attack, Fasenra wont help treat your symptoms. Benralizumab helps prevent severe asthma attacks (exacerbations) and may improve your breathing. What should I know about Fasenra vs. Nucala? After that, youll have one injection once every 8 weeks. Children younger than 12 years of ageUse and dose must be determined by your doctor. This side effect is more common with higher doses of Fasenra. See additional information. Throw away any medicine left out of the refrigerator for more than 14 days. Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Fasenra. Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps. What happens when you stop taking Fasenra? You should also not inject into scars, stretch marks, or areas of eczema. If youre interested in learning more about treatments for nasal polyps, talk with your doctor. 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. Heres a look at some of their similarities and differences. If you feel unwell, or experience other signs of infection, tell your doctor immediately. This date is typically 1 year from the date they dispensed the medication. Below are commonly used dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes. Do not heat it in direct sunlight, the microwave, or in hot water because this will ruin the medicine. Fasenra is usually given once every two months (eight weeks). The pain this condition causes can be debilitating, causing severe pain in the lower back and buttocks. Fasenra Syringe Interactions with Other Medication - WebMD Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. Your injection may take up to 15 seconds to complete. Before leaving the office or clinic, make sure that you have an appointment for your next Fasenra injection scheduled. 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. The early-morning news program offers the latest news, business, weather, and sports reports of the day, along with trending stories and new viral videos. High levels of eosinophils can cause swelling in your airways and lead to severe eosinophilic asthma. Serious hypersensitivity reactions (such as angioedema and urticaria) have been reported in people administered Fasenra, usually within hours of administration but sometimes days later. During the first 3 months of treatment, youll have one injection (30 mg/mL) once every 4 weeks. With the prefilled autoinjector pen form, youll use the pen to give yourself injections after you receive training from a healthcare professional. Fasenra and Xolair are both brand-name drugs. But another similar study is still gathering data about whether Fasenra might be an effective treatment for COPD. Headaches may occur with Fasenra use. Continue using your rescue inhaler and other asthma medications as directed by your doctor. The exact way Fasenra works in asthma has not been definitively established. It's prescribed for adults and for. There are no meaningful differences when the drug is administered in the arm, thigh, or abdomen. Neither drug is a rescue inhaler. Clearance of Fasenra is not impacted by renal or hepatic function, age, gender, or race. Fasenra works by attaching to eosinophils. Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. If you and your doctor determine that Fasenra is safe and effective for you, youll likely take it long term. Doing so could cause harmful effects. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Fasenra to treat certain conditions. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. For details, see the How is Fasenra used? section below. Before taking Fasenra, talk with your doctor about your health history. Learn about dosage, cost, side effects, and. Since oxygen is carried in air, this condition reduces how much oxygen reaches the cells inside your body. A biologic is made from parts of living organisms. Learn what they are and how to prevent asthma attacks. Fasenra isnt approved for use in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). (Conditions or factors that could prevent your doctor from prescribing a medication are called contraindications.) This will save you from going to your doctor every two months. Serious side effects from Fasenra arent common, but they can occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Its important to note that if you use the autoinjector pen form of Fasenra, youll have to get it at a specialty pharmacy. In studies of Fasenra, people took the drug along with a high dose inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and a long-acting beta agonist (LABA). If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional. Therefore, both medications can cause some similar side effects. To avoid missing a dose of Fasenra, try setting a reminder on your phone or calendar. Heres a comparison of how Fasenra and Xolair are alike and different. If needed, your doctor can recommend treatments to help you feel better. Before you begin treatment, talk with your doctor and pharmacist about this. Fasenra should not be shaken, frozen, or exposed to heat. Can diet help improve depression symptoms? But alcohol can be dangerous for people with asthma. Do not freeze. Gastrointestinal problems. Both forms of the drug have one strength: 30 mg/mL. In clinical trials, people who took the drug for up to 48 weeks did not experience any long-term side effects. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. Two clinical studies looked at 2,510 people with severe eosinophilic asthma. Fasenra is FDA-approved to treat severe eosinophilic asthma in adults as well as children ages 12 years and older. The elimination half-life of Fasenra is approximately 15.5 days. Heres a short list of some of the mild side effects that Fasenra can cause. A review of studies supports using medications that are in the same class as Fasenra to treat nasal polyps. The FDA is currently deciding whether to approve Fasenra for treating nasal polyps. The Fasenra site also has some useful resources on using the autoinjector pen. Half of the people in these studies took Fasenra and half took a placebo (treatment with no active drug). Some people may have an allergic reaction to Fasenra. This means that most people taking the drug will be prescribed the same dosage. These lists contain examples of serious side effects that can occur with Xolair, or with Fasenra and Xolair (when taken individually). Keep Fasenra in the refrigerator at 36F to 46F (2C to 8C) before use. Eye problems. But higher levels can cause swelling in your airways and lead to severe eosinophilic asthma. Fasenra starts working straight away. Seek urgent medical attention if you experience shortness of breath, or facial or throat tightness after administering Fasenra. Heres some detail on several of the side effects this drug may or may not cause. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Fasenra. As a result, theres less inflammation (swelling), and you have a lower risk for asthma flare-ups. Stopping treatment may reduce the effect of Fasenra and lead to asthma flare-ups. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Keep in mind that Fasenra isnt a rescue inhaler. Fasenra is a brand (trade) name for benralizumab which is a biologic that may be used to treat severe eosinophilic asthma. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. What should I know about treatments for my asthma besides Fasenra? unusual tiredness or weakness. Asthma and Allergies on the Rise in the U.S. But joint pain isn't typically a common side effect in people who take Dupixent for eczema or asthma.. Youll use Fasenra with the other drugs youre taking, which may include steroids (also called corticosteroids). You may also keep an unopened carton at room temperature for up to 14 days. Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex. Both are given as an injection under the skin. All rights reserved. They will determine the best dosage to fit your needs. To learn more, call 877-311-8972 or visit the study website. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. 1. Dupixent (dupilumab) is a brand-name prescription medication. Fasenra isnt meant to replace any of your current asthma medications. For this purpose, you should use a rescue inhaler, such as an albuterol inhaler (ProAir, Ventolin HFA), according to your doctors instructions. They can let you know whether its safe for you to take Fasenra and recommend other treatment options if needed. Its important to discuss all your concerns with your doctor. And they want you to get the best care possible. Xolair also shouldnt be used to treat other eosinophilic conditions. Fasenra: Uses, Side Effects, Dosages, Precautions - Verywell Health In addition to conventional medications for severe asthma, you may want to consider natural strategies to manage your symptoms. It comes as a metered-dose inhaler. Allergic reaction, which is discussed in detail below, was the only serious side effect reported during clinical studies. All rights reserved. Fasenra Descriptions Benralizumab injection is used together with other medicines to treat severe asthma. Before your appointment, write down questions such as: How will Fasenra affect my body, mood, or lifestyle? Our phase IV clinical studies alone cannot establish cause-effect relationship. Fasenra hasnt been studied in children younger than 12 years of age. Controlling your blood sugar. Symptoms of an allergic reaction to Fasenra can include: Call your doctor right away if you have a severe allergic reaction to Fasenra. Weight gain is not reported as a side effect of Fasenra in the product information. While some studies have found Fasenra to be effective for treating severe eosinophilic asthma, other studies have found Xolair to be effective for treating asthma. hoarseness; irritation; joint pain, stiffness, or swelling . Activation of eosinophils can lead to the release of substances that promote inflammation. They can also include swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause trouble breathing. This type of drug is a large protein that affects the way certain parts of your body work. Store Fasenra pens in their original cartons in a refrigerator, at a temperature between 36F to 46F (2C to 8C). Fasenra belongs to a class of drugs called interleukin-5 monoclonal antibodies. Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels are also significantly reduced after treatment with Fasenra. Detailed drug Information for Fasenra. Fasenra can be used in adults as well as children ages 12 years and older. But unlike generics, which are made for non-biologic drugs, biosimilars are made for biologic drugs.).