Benralizumab
About Benralizumab
Benralizumab is an injectable medicine used as an add-on maintenance treatment for severe eosinophilic asthma. In this type of asthma, high levels of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell, contribute to swelling and inflammation in the airways. By greatly reducing these cells, this medicine helps improve long-term asthma control and reduce severe asthma attacks. It is not a rescue medicine and does not treat a sudden asthma attack.
Before starting treatment, your doctor may check the number of eosinophils in your blood. A blood eosinophil count of 300 cells/µL or higher is commonly associated with a greater expected benefit from benralizumab, although the level used to guide treatment can vary. Your doctor will also consider factors such as how often you have asthma attacks, your current medicines, steroid use, lung function, and overall asthma history when deciding whether this treatment is suitable.
Benralizumab is different from some other biologic medicines used for severe asthma. Benralizumab targets the IL-5 receptor, a specific site found on eosinophils, and helps the immune system remove these cells. Other asthma biologics may target IL-5 itself, allergic antibodies such as IgE, or other inflammation signals. Your doctor selects a biologic based on the type of inflammation driving your asthma and your individual clinical needs.
This medicine is given as an injection under the skin on a regular schedule for long-term asthma control. Depending on the product and local instructions, injections may be given by a healthcare professional or at home after appropriate training. Because it is injected under the skin, food does not affect how the medicine is absorbed.
Common side effects may include headache, sore throat, fever, or a reaction where the injection is given. Serious allergic reactions can occur, sometimes after treatment rather than immediately after an injection. Consult your doctor right away if you develop swelling of the face, mouth, tongue, or throat, hives, severe dizziness, or difficulty breathing.
Before treatment, tell your doctor if you have a parasitic worm infection, as it should be treated before starting this medicine. Do not use Benralizumab if you have had a serious allergic reaction to benralizumab or any ingredient in the medicine. Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, especially oral or inhaled corticosteroids. Do not suddenly stop or reduce your steroid treatment after starting this medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
Uses of Benralizumab
Medicinal Benefits
Benralizumab helps improve long-term control of severe eosinophilic asthma by reducing the eosinophils that contribute to airway inflammation.
- Fewer severe asthma attacks: Treatment can reduce the number of asthma flare-ups that require additional treatment or urgent medical care.
- May reduce the need for oral steroids: In some people who regularly need oral corticosteroids to control asthma, treatment may allow the doctor to gradually reduce the steroid dose.
- Supports better breathing: Reducing eosinophilic inflammation can improve lung function and help keep asthma better controlled.
- Provides targeted treatment: This medicine specifically targets eosinophils rather than broadly suppressing the immune system.
Directions for Use
- Follow your doctor's recommendations for the correct dosage and timing of this medication.
- Check the label for directions and use it as advised by the doctor. Choose an injection site such as the thigh, upper arm, or abdomen; pinch the skin and inject the advised dose slowly and steadily.
- Rotate the injection site each time.
- Do not inject into skin that is red, bruised, or hard.
Storage
Side Effects of Benralizumab
Common Side Effects (Usually Mild)
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Pain, redness, itching, or swelling where the injection is given
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away)
- Difficulty breathing or wheezing
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, mouth, or throat
- Hives or a widespread skin rash
- Severe dizziness, fainting, or feeling light-headed
Serious allergic reactions may occur within hours of an injection or, in some cases, days later.
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Do not use it for an asthma emergency: This medicine does not work quickly enough to treat a sudden asthma attack. Use your prescribed rescue medicine and follow your asthma action plan.
- Keep your other asthma treatment going: Do not stop inhaled or oral corticosteroids or other controller medicines unless your doctor tells you to.
- Know why it was selected: Your doctor may use your blood eosinophil count, asthma attack history, steroid use, lung function, and other factors to decide whether benralizumab is suitable for you.
- Treat parasitic infections first: Tell your doctor if you have or may have a parasitic worm infection. An existing infection should generally be treated before starting this medicine.
- Watch for delayed allergic reactions: Serious allergic reactions can occur after an injection, including hours or days later. Seek medical care if you develop difficulty breathing, swelling, hives, or severe dizziness.
- Keep treatment appointments: Regular injections are important for maintaining long-term asthma control.
Drug Interactions
- Corticosteroids such as prednisolone, budesonide, or fluticasone: These medicines may be used alongside benralizumab as part of asthma treatment. Do not suddenly stop or reduce them when you start this medicine. Your doctor may gradually reduce the dose when appropriate.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionYou are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption while taking Benralizumab. Alcohol intake, along with Benralizumab, may cause increased dizziness.
Pregnancy
cautionIf you are pregnant or planning pregnancy, inform your doctor before receiving Benralizumab. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is not known if Benralizumab passes into the breastmilk when used by a breastfeeding mother. Your doctor will prescribe Benralizumab only if the benefit outweighs the risk.
Driving
unsafeBenralizumab may make you feel dizzy. Do not drive or operate machinery until you are completely alert.
Liver
cautionIf you have a pre-existing or a history of liver problems, tell your doctor before taking this medicine.
Kidney
cautionIf you have a pre-existing or a history of kidney problems, tell your doctor before taking this medicine.
Children
unsafeBenralizumab is not recommended in children below 12 years of age as the safety and efficacy are not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Know your asthma triggers: Identify triggers such as pollen, dust mites, pet allergens, smoke, or strong fumes and reduce exposure where possible.
- Avoid smoking: Do not smoke, and try to avoid second-hand smoke, as tobacco smoke can worsen asthma and damage the lungs.
- Stay physically active: Regular activity can support overall health, but follow your doctor's advice about exercise if physical activity triggers asthma symptoms.
- Follow your asthma action plan: Know which medicines you use every day and what to do if your symptoms suddenly worsen.
- Track your asthma control: Keep a record of symptoms, rescue inhaler use, and asthma attacks, and use a peak flow meter if your doctor recommends one.
Special Advise
- The doctor may suggest some tests to know the root cause of the respiratory disorder, such as Spirometry (check the narrowing of bronchial tubes) and Peak flow (check how difficult it is to exhale).
- Please avoid the use of Tobacco and Marijuana as it decreases the efficacy of Benralizumab.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Asthma: It is a chronic (long-term) respiratory condition in which airways narrow, swell, and produce extra mucus, leading to difficulty in breathing. The symptoms of asthma include wheezing (whistling sound while breathing), shortness of breath, chest tightness and cough, especially at night. The treatment for asthma includes medication, breathing exercises and self-care.
FAQs
Benralizumab is used to treat Asthma.
Benralizumab contains Benralizumab, which reduces the synthesis of pro-inflammatory markers called cytokines. Thus, it helps in decreasing inflammation.
Eosinophilic asthma is a type of asthma in which high levels of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell, contribute to ongoing inflammation in the airways. Your doctor may use blood tests and your asthma history to determine whether eosinophilic inflammation is contributing to your symptoms.
There is no single blood eosinophil level that determines treatment for every patient. However, a count of 300 cells/µL or higher has commonly been used in clinical studies and is associated with greater benefit from benralizumab. Treatment decisions also consider factors such as asthma attacks, steroid use, lung function, and local treatment guidelines.
Biologic medicines target different parts of the inflammation that causes severe asthma. Benralizumab targets the IL-5 receptor on eosinophils and helps the immune system remove these cells. Other biologics may block IL-5 itself, IgE involved in allergic asthma, or other inflammation signals. Your doctor chooses the treatment that best matches the type of asthma you have.
No. This medicine is for long-term asthma control and will not relieve a sudden asthma attack. Use your prescribed rescue medicine for sudden symptoms and follow your asthma action plan.
Depending on the product, you or a caregiver may be able to give the injection at home after being trained by a healthcare professional. Follow the instructions for your specific injection device.
No. Continue your inhaled or oral corticosteroids exactly as prescribed. Your doctor may gradually reduce some medicines if your asthma becomes better controlled, but they should not be stopped suddenly.
This medicine specifically targets eosinophils rather than suppressing the whole immune system. Because eosinophils may help the body respond to some parasitic infections, tell your doctor if you have or may have a parasitic worm infection.
Benralizumab is used as long-term maintenance treatment. Your doctor will review your asthma control, number of attacks, need for other medicines, and overall response to decide whether treatment should continue.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding. Your doctor will consider the importance of controlling severe asthma and the available safety information before deciding whether treatment is appropriate.
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