How does this medication work? What will it do for me?
Mepolizumab is a monoclonal antibody that belongs to the class of medications called interleukin-5inhibitors. It is used in addition to other medications to treat a typeof asthma called eosinophilic asthma. Thisis a type of asthma where there is an increased presence of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell, in your blood. Mepolizumab is used when high-dose corticosteroids and other asthma medications are not enough to control the breathing symptoms.
Mepolizumab is also used totreat eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). This is a rare condition that appears as an inflammation of the walls of small blood vessels due to too many eosinophils in the blood and tissues. This condition most commonly affects the lungs and sinuses, but other parts of the body may be affected. Mepolizumab is used along with corticosteroids to reduce symptoms and flare-ups of EGPA.
Mepolizumab is also used to treat a condition called hypereosinophilic syndrome. This isa condition where there are a high number of eosinophils in the blood, which can lead to damage of organs such as the heart, lungs, nerves, and skin.
It is also used in addition tocorticosteroid nasal sprays to treat severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP; long-term sinus inflammation).
Mepolizumab works by reducing the production of a protein called interleukin-5. This reduces the amount of eosinophils in the blood, lungs, and tissues.
This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
Solution for Injection
Each 1 mL ofclear-to-opalescent, colourless to pale yellow or pale brown, preservative-free solution for subcutaneous use contains 100 mg of mepolizumab. Nonmedicinal ingredients: citric acid monohydrate, EDTA disodium dihydrate, polysorbate 80, sodium phosphate dibasic heptahydrate, and sucrose.
Supplied as a 100 mg prefilled autoinjector and 40 mg or 100 mg pre-filled safety syringe.
How should I use this medication?
For the treatment of eosinophilic asthma, the recommended dose of mepolizumab for adults and adolescents over 12 years old is 100 mg injected subcutaneously (under the skin) once every 4 weeks. The dose for children ages 6 years to 12 years is 40 mg injected subcutaneously once every 4 weeks.
When treating chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, the recommended dose is 100 mg given by subcutaneous injection once every 4 weeks.
For the treatment of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis or hypereosinophilic syndrome, the recommended dose of mepolizumab for adults is 300 mg injected subcutaneously once every 4 weeks.
Mepolizumab is first given under the supervision of a qualified health care professional in a clinic or doctor's office where side effects, such as a severe allergic reaction, can be treated immediately. If appropriate, you may be trained to give yourself injections of this medication. Do not attempt to prepare or inject this medication on your own until you completely understand how to mix and inject a dose. If you are having difficulty giving yourself injections, talk to your health care provider.
It is important this medication be given exactly as recommended by your doctor. If you miss an appointment to receive mepolizumab, contact your doctor as soon as possible to reschedule your appointment. If you are injecting this medication yourself and you miss a dose, inject it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it almost time for your next injection, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up fora missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
The pre-filled autoinjector or pre-filled syringes should be stored in the refrigerator, protected from light. They may be kept at room temperature for up to 7 days if kept in the unopen carton and protected from light. Once the outer carton is removed, this medication should be injected within 8 hours.
Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Do not take this medication if you are allergic to mepolizumab or any ingredients of the medication.
What side effects are possible with this medication?
Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.
The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.
The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.
Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.
- back or neck pain
- blurred vision
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- headache
- injection site reactions (e.g., pain, redness, swelling, burning sensation)
- itchy, red patches on the skin
- lack of energy
- mouth or throat pain
- muscle, bone, or joint pain
- muscle weakness
- rash
- sensation of spinning
- sensation of tingling or numbness
- sore throat
- stomach pain
- symptoms of sinus infection or colds (e.g., cough, sore throat, runny nose, stuffy nose)
- vomiting
Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
- fever
- symptoms of a lung infection (e.g., chest congestion, cough, general discomfort)
- symptoms of a urinary tract infection (e.g., pain when urinating, urinating more often than usual, low back or flank pain)
Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:
- signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)
Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Checkwith your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.
Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.
Allergic reactions: Any biologic medication such as mepolizumab can cause severe allergic reactions. If you experience itching, rash, dizziness or fainting, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the throat or tongue, seek medical help immediately. These reactions usually occur soon after receiving a dose of the medication, but sometimes occur days after the dose and can occur at any time during your treatment with this medication.
Asthma symptoms: This medication is not intended for use during an asthma attack. Use your reliever medications when you have an episode of wheezing or difficulty breathing.
If your asthma worsens after you start using this medication, let your doctor know.
Infections: People using mepolizumab may be at an increased risk of developing parasitic infections caused by helminths (worms). If you travel to areas where parasitic worm infections are common, discuss with your doctor how you can avoid developing these infections and what symptoms of these infections to be aware of.
Other medications: Mepolizumab is not intended to replace other asthma medications. Continue to use your "preventers" (long-actingbronchodilators and corticosteroids) and "relievers" (fast-actingbronchodilators) as prescribed by your doctor.
Vaccinations: Before starting to use mepolizumab, check with your doctor to make sure your vaccinations are up to date. Vaccination againstherpes zoster may be needed to prevent shingles infection.
Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication or less than 4 months after stopping this medication, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if mepolizumab passes into breast milk. If you are breast-feeding and taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication to treat eosinophilic asthma have not been established for children under 6 years old. The safety and effectiveness of using this medication to treat eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, hypereosinophilic syndrome, or severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps have not been established for children under 18 years old.
What other drugs could interact with this medication?
For a full list of interactions, use the Drug Interaction Checker available on the Drugs.com website.
If you are taking other medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.
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