Fasenra is a brand-name solution given as a subcutaneous injection. Doctors prescribe the drug for certain inflammatory conditions. Fasenra contains the active ingredient benralizumab and is a type of monoclonal antibody.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Fasenra to treat the following conditions:

Drug details

Here is key information about Fasenra:

  • Drug class: anti-interleukin 5 monoclonal antibody
  • Drug form: solution given as a subcutaneous injection
  • Generic or biosimilar available? no
  • Prescription required? yes
  • Controlled substance? no
  • Year of FDA approval: 2017

Fasenra is a biologic drug that contains the active ingredient benralizumab. It’s not available in a biosimilar form.

Biologics are made using parts of living cells, while traditional drugs are made using chemicals. Conventional drugs have generics that are exact copies of the active ingredient in the brand-name drug. Biologics cannot be copied exactly, so they have biosimilars instead of generics.

Like generics, biosimilars are considered as safe and effective as the original brand-name form.

The Fasenra dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • the condition you’re using Fasenra to treat
  • your age
  • for certain children, their body weight in kilograms (kg)

For reference, 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb).

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

For more details about the dosages of Fasenra, see this Fasenra dosage article. You can also ask your doctor and pharmacist about Fasenra’s dosages. They can give you additional information, such as how to store or dispose of the drug safely.

Drug forms and strengths

Fasenra comes as a liquid solution in two forms. These forms and their strengths include:

  • single-use, prefilled autoinjector pens:
    • 30 milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL) of solution
  • single-use, prefilled syringes:
    • 10 mg/0.5 mL
    • 30 mg/mL

To learn more about what to expect when using each form of Fasenra, see the “How to inject” section later in this article.

Dosage for asthma

Fasenra is prescribed to treat severe eosinophilic asthma in adults.

For this use, the typical starting dose of Fasenra is 30 mg per injection. You’ll receive one injection every 4 weeks for three doses. After that, you’ll receive 30 mg (one injection) every 8 weeks.

Dosage for EGPA

Fasenra is prescribed to treat eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) in adults. (EGPA is also known as Churg-Strauss syndrome.)

For this use, the typical dose of Fasenra is 30 mg per injection. You’ll receive one injection every 4 weeks.

Children’s dosage

Fasenra is prescribed to treat severe eosinophilic asthma in children ages 6 years and older.

For children ages 12 years and older and those ages 6 to 11 years who weigh 35 kg (about 77 lb) or more, the dosage is the same as for adults. For details, see the “Dosage for asthma” section earlier in this article.

For children ages 6 to 11 years who weigh less than 35 kg, the typical starting dose of Fasenra is 10 mg per injection. They’ll receive one injection every 4 weeks for three doses. After that, they’ll receive 10 mg (one injection) every 8 weeks.

If you have questions about the dosage that’s right for your child, talk with their doctor.

How to inject

Fasenra is given as a subcutaneous injection. It’s injected under the skin of your abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.

A healthcare professional will give your first few injections of Fasenra using the prefilled syringes. Then, they’ll teach you or a caregiver how to use the prefilled autoinjector pens at home.

If you have other questions about injecting Fasenra, talk with your doctor. You can also visit the drug manufacturer’s website.

About receiving Fasenra

Here you’ll find information about key dosage issues.

  • When to take: Depending on the situation, you’ll receive one injection of Fasenra every 4 or 8 weeks.
  • If you miss a dose: If you miss a dose of Fasenra, contact your doctor. They’ll help you determine when to receive your next dose.
  • Length of use: Fasenra is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Fasenra is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.
  • Length of time to work: Fasenra starts to work after your first dose. Your doctor will monitor your condition during treatment to check whether the drug is working.

Overdose

Do not use more Fasenra than your doctor recommends. For some drugs, doing so may lead to unwanted side effects or overdose.

What to do in case you use too much Fasenra

If you think you’ve used too much of this drug, call your doctor. You can also call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. However, if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

Fasenra can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Fasenra. These lists do not include all possible side effects.

For more information about the possible side effects of Fasenra, see this Fasenra side effects article. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to manage any side effects that may concern or bother you.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you would like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Fasenra, you can do so through MedWatch.

Mild side effects

Here is a partial list of Fasenra’s mild side effects. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist or view Fasenra’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Fasenra can include:

  • injection site reactions, such as changes to skin color, pain, or itching near the injection area
  • sore throat
  • headache
  • fever

To learn more about headache and fever, see the “Side effect details” section later in this article.

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. However, if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Fasenra aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening, or you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects of Fasenra may include allergic reaction, which is discussed in the “Side effect details” section that follows.

Side effect details

You may wonder how often certain side effects occur with this drug or whether certain side effects pertain to it. Here’s some details on several of the side effects this drug may or may not cause.

Headache

Headaches may occur with Fasenra use. In clinical trials of Fasenra, headache was a common side effect.

Although headaches can be common while using Fasenra, they’re usually not serious. If you have a headache during your treatment, it’ll likely go away after a few hours. But if a headache doesn’t go away, let your doctor know. They may recommend treatments to help you feel better.

Fever

A fever may occur after Fasenra use, but this side effect was rare in clinical studies. The fevers weren’t serious and didn’t cause any problems with the conditions Fasenra is used to treat.

If you have a fever after taking Fasenra, taking a cool bath may help you feel more comfortable.

But if your fever lasts more than 3 days or is higher than 103°F (about 39.4°C), tell your doctor. They may recommend treatments to help reduce your fever and check to see what may be causing it.

ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Fasenra can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Allergic reaction tends to happen a few hours after receiving Fasenra. However, though rare, it’s possible to develop this side effect days after receiving the drug.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Fasenra, your doctor may recommend a different medication instead.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Fasenra to treat certain conditions. Fasenra may also be used off-label for other conditions. Off-label drug use is when an FDA-approved drug is prescribed for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.

Fasenra for asthma

Fasenra is approved to treat severe eosinophilic asthma in adults and children ages 6 years and older.

Asthma is a long-term condition that affects breathing. It involves inflammation that narrows the airways. With eosinophilic asthma, inflammation is triggered by a high level of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell). Symptoms can include chest tightness, shortness of breath, and wheezing.

For this purpose, Fasenra may be prescribed with other treatments for eosinophilic asthma. Examples include:

Doctors will not prescribe Fasenra to treat asthma flare-ups or a severe kind of asthma called status asthmaticus. Instead, doctors prescribe a rescue inhaler for these uses. An example of a rescue inhaler is albuterol (Proventil HFA, Ventolin HFA, and others).

To learn more about asthma, visit our asthma and allergies hub and list of asthma articles.

Fasenra for EGPA

Fasenra is approved to treat eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) in adults. (EGPA is also known as Churg-Strauss syndrome.)

With EGPA, eosinophils build up in blood vessels, causing inflammation that may restrict blood flow throughout the body. Symptoms may include skin rash, granulomas (clusters of cells), and numbness or tingling in the arms or legs.

To learn more about Fasenra for EGPA, talk with your doctor.

Fasenra and children

Femara is approved to treat severe eosinophilic asthma in children ages 6 years and older.

To learn more about this condition, see the “Fasenra for asthma” section earlier in this article. You can also talk with your child’s doctor.

Fasenra is not known to interact with other medications, herbs, supplements, foods, or alcohol. The drug manufacturer didn’t look at Fasenra’s interactions in the drug’s clinical trials.

However, this doesn’t mean that interactions won’t be recognized in the future. For example, new drugs could be approved that interact with Fasenra.

Before starting Fasenra treatment, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you take. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. For more information about Fasenra and interactions, see this Fasenra interactions article.

As with all medications, the cost of Fasenra can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use. You can learn more about the cost of Fasenra in this Fasenra cost article.

Financial and insurance assistance: If you need financial support to pay for Fasenra or help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.

A program called Fasenra 360 is available for Fasenra. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, call 833-360-4357 or visit the program website.

Biosimilar version: Fasenra is a biologic drug that is not available in a biosimilar form. Biologics are made using parts of living cells, while conventional drugs are made using chemicals. Conventional drugs have generics that are exact copies of the active ingredient in the brand-name drug. Biologics cannot be copied exactly, so they have biosimilars instead of generics.

Like generics, biosimilars are considered as safe and effective as the original brand-name drug. And they may cost less than brand-name drugs.

Learn more about saving money on prescriptions.

If you can become pregnant, consider the following information about pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Fasenra and pregnancy

It is unknown whether you should receive Fasenra during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before using this medication.

Fasenra and breastfeeding

It is unknown whether you should receive Fasenra while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before using this medication.

You may be interested in learning how Fasenra compares to similar medications. Read on to learn more about the similarities and differences between Fasenra and Nucala.

Ingredients

Fasenra contains the active ingredient benralizumab, while Nucala contains the active ingredient mepolizumab. Both Fasenra and Nucala are biologic drugs, which are made from living cells rather than from chemicals.

Both drugs are also known as monoclonal antibodies, which are large proteins that affect how certain parts of your body work. These medications also belong to the same class of drugs, anti-interleukin 5 monoclonal antibodies.

Uses

Fasenra and Nucala are FDA-approved to treat some of the same conditions, including:

Nucala is also approved to treat other conditions in certain people, such as hypereosinophilic syndrome (a blood disorder that causes high levels of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell).

Doctors may prescribe Fasenra off-label for hypereosinophilic syndrome. (Off-label use is when doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what the Food and Drug Administration [FDA} has approved it for.) However, more research is needed to determine whether Fasenra is safe and effective for this condition.

You should use Fasenra or Nucala in addition to your other asthma medications rather than by themselves. Neither drug is a rescue inhaler. So you should not use Fasenra or Nucala to treat asthma flare-ups or a severe kind of asthma called status asthmaticus.

Forms

Fasenra and Nucala are available as solutions that you receive as subcutaneous injections. Both come as prefilled syringes and prefilled autoinjector pens.

Nucala also comes as a vial of powder that a healthcare professional mixes to form a solution. Then they administer the medication as a subcutaneous injection.

Side effects

Fasenra and Nucala can cause some similar effects. For example, headache is a more common side effect that can occur with both drugs. However, these medications may cause some unique side effects.

To learn more about how Fasenra compares with Nucala, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for Fasenra and Nucala.

You may wonder how Fasenra and Xolair compare with each other. Here’s a look at some of their similarities and differences.

Ingredients

Fasenra contains the active ingredient benralizumab, while Xolair contains the active ingredient omalizumab. Both Fasenra and Xolair are biologic drugs, which are made from living cells rather than from chemicals.

Both drugs are also known as monoclonal antibodies, which are large proteins that affect the way certain parts of your body work. However, Fasenra and Xolair are different types of monoclonal antibodies and belong to different classes of drugs.

Uses

Fasenra is FDA approved to treat severe eosinophilic asthma in adults and children ages 6 years and older. It’s also approved to treat eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (also known as Churg-Strauss syndrome) in adults.

Xolair is FDA approved to treat moderate to severe and persistent allergic asthma in adults and children ages 6 years and older. Xolair is also approved to treat other conditions, such as nasal polyps, in certain people.

You should use Fasenra or Xolair in addition to your other asthma medications rather than by themselves. Neither drug is a rescue inhaler. So you should not use Fasenra or Xolair to treat asthma flare-ups or a severe kind of asthma called status asthmaticus.

Forms

Fasenra and Xolair are available as solutions that you receive as subcutaneous injections. Both come as prefilled syringes and prefilled autoinjector pens.

Xolair also comes as a vial of powder that a healthcare professional mixes to form a solution. Then they administer the medication as a subcutaneous injection.

Side effects

Fasenra and Xolair can cause some similar side effects. For example, headache, sore throat, and fever are more common side effects that both drugs can cause. However, these medications may cause some unique side effects.

To learn more about how Fasenra compares with Xolair, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for Fasenra and Xolair.

You might also be curious about how Fasenra compares with Dupixent. Here’s a comparison of how these drugs are similar and different.

Ingredients

Fasenra contains the active ingredient benralizumab, and Dupixent contains the active ingredient dupilumab. Both Fasenra and Dupixent are biologic drugs, which are made from living cells rather than from chemicals.

Both drugs are known as monoclonal antibodies, which are large proteins that affect the way certain parts of your body work. However, Fasenra and Dupixent are different types of monoclonal antibodies and belong to different classes of drugs.

Uses

Fasenra and Dupixent are both FDA-approved to treat eosinophilic asthma in certain adults and children ages 6 years and older. These drugs are also approved for other conditions, but this is their only shared use.

You should use Fasenra or Dupixent in addition to your other asthma medications rather than by themselves. Neither drug is a rescue inhaler. So you should not use Fasenra or Dupixent to treat asthma flare-ups or a severe kind of asthma called status asthmaticus.

Forms

Fasenra and Dupixent are available as solutions that you receive as subcutaneous injections. Both come as prefilled syringes and prefilled autoinjector pens.

Side effects

Fasenra and Dupixent can cause some similar effects. For example, injection site reaction is a possible side effect that may occur with both drugs. However, these medications may cause some unique side effects.

To learn more about how Fasenra compares with Dupixent, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for Fasenra and Dupixent.

Fasenra is used to treat severe eosinophilic asthma and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). (EGPA is also known as Churg-Strauss syndrome.) These conditions involve inflammation related to high levels of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell).

Fasenra is a type of drug called an anti-interleukin 5 monoclonal antibody. Its exact mechanism of action (how it works) isn’t fully understood. However, Fasenra is thought to help the immune system target eosinophils. In this way, the drug can help reduce inflammation related to eosinophilic asthma and EGPA.

If you have other questions about how Fasenra works, talk with your doctor. You can also visit the drug manufacturer’s website for eosinophilic asthma and EGPA.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Fasenra.

Should I use Fasenra to treat asthma attacks?

No, you should not. Fasenra is not meant to treat sudden asthma symptoms, which are called asthma attacks or flare-ups. Instead, Fasenra is used as a long-term asthma treatment. The drug works in your body to help prevent asthma flare-ups in the first place.

If you do have an asthma attack, Fasenra won’t help treat your symptoms. You’ll probably need to use your rescue inhaler, as directed by your doctor. Check with your doctor on the best ways to treat asthma attacks and help prevent them.

Is Fasenra a steroid?

No. Fasenra isn’t a steroid. It’s a type of drug called a biologic. (For more about biologics, see the “Fasenra generic or biosimilar” section.) Steroids (also called corticosteroids) are medications made from a combination of chemicals.

Fasenra and corticosteroids are used to reduce inflammation and treat similar conditions, but they work differently in the body. Fasenra specifically targets eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) to help reduce inflammation. Corticosteroids, on the other hand, work by lowering the overall inflammation response of the immune system.

Your doctor may recommend that you take corticosteroids during Fasenra treatment. For more information, see the following section.

If you have questions about corticosteroids or Fasenra, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Will I still need to take steroids while taking Fasenra?

You might, depending on the condition you’re using Fasenra to treat.

For eosinophilic asthma, you’ll use Fasenra with the other drugs you’re taking for this condition. This may include steroids, also called corticosteroids. For EGPA, your doctor will recommend whether to take steroids or other medications with Fasenra.

Sometimes, your doctor may gradually reduce your corticosteroid dosage during Fasenra treatment. However, you should not suddenly stop or change your use of corticosteroids on your own. Doing so could cause harmful effects.

You can talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about Fasenra and other medications for your condition.

Are there long-term side effects of Fasenra?

No, Fasenra is not known to cause long-term side effects. In clinical trials, people who took the drug for up to 48 weeks did not experience any long-term side effects. And no long-term side effects have been reported since the drug became available. (To learn more, see this Fasenra side effects article.)

However, if you develop a side effect that doesn’t go away, talk with your doctor. They can determine the cause of your symptoms and recommend ways to manage them.

Before taking Fasenra, discuss your health history with your doctor. Fasenra may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of Fasenra, see the “Fasenra side effects” section.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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