Fasenra vs. Nucala

Fasenra (benralizumab) injection and Nucala (mepolizumab) for injection are interleukin-5 receptor alpha-directed cytolytic monoclonal antibodies (IgG1, kappa) used for add-on maintenance treatment of patients with severe asthma aged 12 years and older, and with an eosinophilic phenotype.

Nucala is also used to treat adult patients with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) and to treat adult and pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) for 6 or more months without an identifiable non-hematologic secondary cause.

Side effects of Fasenra and Nucala that are similar include headache, and injection site reactions (pain, redness, itching, or a small lump).

Side effects of Fasenra that are different from Nucala include sore throat, fever, and hypersensitivity reactions.

Side effects of Nucala that are different from Fasenra include back pain, fatigue, flu symptoms, urinary tract infection (UTI), abdominal pain, itching, eczema, and muscle spasms.

Both Fasenra and Nucala may interact with other drugs.

Common side effects of Fasenra include:

• headache,
• sore throat,
• fever,
• hypersensitivity reactions, and
• injection site reactions (pain, redness, itching, or a small lump)

Common side effects of Nucala include:

• headache,
• injection site reaction,
• back pain,
• fatigue,
• flu symptoms,
• urinary tract infection (UTI),
• abdominal pain,
• itching,
• eczema, and
• muscle spasms

Fasenra (benralizumab) injection is an interleukin-5 receptor alpha-directed cytolytic monoclonal antibody (IgG1, kappa) indicated for the add-on maintenance treatment of patients with severe asthma aged 12 years and older, and with an eosinophilic phenotype.

Nucala (mepolizumab) is an interleukin-5 (IL-5) antagonist monoclonal antibody (IgG1 kappa) indicated for add-on maintenance treatment of patients with severe asthma aged 6 years and older, and with an eosinophilic phenotype; the treatment of adult patients with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA); and the treatment of adult and pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) for 6 or more months without an identifiable non-hematologic secondary cause.

Fasenra may interact with other drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant before using Fasenra; it is unknown how it would affect a fetus. Monoclonal antibodies such as Fasenra are transported across the placenta during the third trimester of pregnancy; therefore, potential effects on a fetus are likely to be greater during the third trimester of pregnancy. It is unknown if Fasenra passes into breast milk or how it would affect a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Nucala may interact with other drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

Fasenra is for subcutaneous use only.

The recommended dose of Fasenra is 30 mg administered once every 4 weeks for the first 3 doses, and then once every 8 weeks thereafter by subcutaneous injection into the upper arm, thigh, or abdomen.

The dose of Nucala is 100 mg administered subcutaneously once every 4 weeks. Nucala may interact with other drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.