Nucala

Generic name: Mepolizumab
Drug class: Interleukin inhibitors

Usage of Nucala

Nucala is a monoclonal antibody that works by reducing levels of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell). High eosinophil levels can contribute to certain disorders.

Nucala is used together with other medicines to help control severe asthma in adults and children who are at least 6 years old. Nucala is not a rescue medicine for asthma attacks.

Nucala is used together with other medicines for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) in adults whose disease is not controlled with nasal corticosteroids. Nucala helps reduce nasal congestion, nasal discharge, mucus in the throat, and loss of smell associated with CRSwNP, helps reduce the size of your nasal polyps and the use of oral corticosteroid medicines, and helps prevent surgery for your nasal polyps.

Nucala is used in adults to help control symptoms and reduce flares of a rare autoimmune disorder called eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EPGA).

Nucala is also used to help prevent flare-ups or reduce symptoms of high eosinophil levels (hypereosinophilic syndrome, or HES) in adults and children at least 12 years old.

Nucala is given every four weeks by suBCutaneous injection.

Nucala side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Nucala: hives, rash; wheezing, chest tightness, difficult breathing; feeling like you might pass out; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • unusual pain or tiredness;
  • burning or tingling anywhere in your body; or
  • a red or blistering skin rash.

    • Common Nucala side effects may include:

  • headache;
  • feeling tired;
  • back pain; or
  • pain, swelling, redness, burning, or itching where the medicine was injected.

    • This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

    Before taking Nucala

    You should not use Nucala if you are allergic to mepolizumab.

    Nucala is not approved for use in asthma by a child younger than 6 years old. Nucala should not be used to treat HES in anyone younger than 12 years old, or EPGA or CRSwNP in anyone younger than 18 years old.

    To make sure Nucala is safe for you, tell your doctor if:

  • you also use steroid asthma medication;
  • you have a history of parasite infection (such as roundworms or tapeworms); or
  • you have a history of herpes zoster (also called shingles).

    • You may be given a zoster (shingles) vaccine before you start using Nucala.

    If you also use an oral or inhaled steroid medication, you should not stop using it suddenly. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose.

    Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of mepolizumab on the baby.

    It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

    Relate drugs

    How to use Nucala

    Usual Adult Dose for Asthma -- Maintenance:

    100 mg subcutaneously every 4 weeks Use: Add-on maintenance treatment of severe asthma with an eosinophilic phenotype

    Comments: -This drug should be administered in the upper arm, thigh, or abdomen.

    Usual Adult Dose for Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps:

    100 mg subcutaneously every 4 weeks.

    Use: Add-on maintenance treatment of adult patients 18 years and older with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP)

    Comments: -This drug should be administered in the upper arm, thigh, or abdomen.

    Usual Adult Dose for Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA):

    300 mg (as 3 separate 100 mg injections) subcutaneously every 4 weeks Comments: -This drug should be administered in the upper arm, thigh, or abdomen as 3 separate 100 mg injections at least 5 cm (approximately 2 inches) apart if more than 1 injection is administered at the same site. Use: For eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA)

    Usual Adult Dose for Hypereosinophilic Syndrome (HES):

    300 mg (as 3 separate 100 mg injections) subcutaneously every 4 weeks

    Use: treatment of hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) for ≥6 months without an identifiable non-hematologic secondary cause.

    Comments: -This drug should be administered in the upper arm, thigh, or abdomen as 3 separate 100 mg injections at least 5 cm (approximately 2 inches) apart if more than 1 injection is administered at the same site.

    Usual Pediatric Dose for Asthma -- Maintenance:

    6 to 11 years: 40 mg subcutaneously every 4 weeks 12 years or older: 100 mg subcutaneously every 4 weeks Comments: -This drug should be administered in the upper arm, thigh, or abdomen. Use: Add-on maintenance therapy for severe asthma with an eosinophilic phenotype in children 6 years and older

    Comments: -This drug should be administered in the upper arm, thigh, or abdomen.

    Usual Pediatric Dose for Hypereosinophilic Syndrome (HES):

    300 mg (as 3 separate 100 mg injections) subcutaneously every 4 weeks

    Use: treatment of pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) for ≥6 months without an identifiable non-hematologic secondary cause

    Comments: -This drug should be administered in the upper arm, thigh, or abdomen as 3 separate 100 mg injections at least 5 cm (approximately 2 inches) apart if more than 1 injection is administered at the same site.

    Warnings

    Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

    What other drugs will affect Nucala

    Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

  • an oral (taken by mouth) or inhaled steroid medicine.

    • Other drugs may interact with mepolizumab, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

    Disclaimer

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    The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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