What is Fasenra?
Fasenra is a medication used to treat severe cases of asthma in adults and children who are 12 years old and above. It is an injectable drug that works by reducing inflammation in the lungs caused by immune cells called eosinophils. Fasenra is in a class of medications called monoclonal antibodies and is prescribed to patients who have not responded well to other asthma treatments.
The active ingredient in Fasenra is benralizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets the alpha chain of the interleukin-5 receptor. By binding to the receptor, Fasenra prevents eosinophils from functioning properly, reducing inflammation and mucus production in the lungs.
Fasenra is administered by subcutaneous injection once every four weeks in a healthcare provider's office. Patients are monitored for potential side effects, which may include headache, injection site reactions, fever, and sore throat.
Clinical studies have shown that Fasenra can reduce the frequency of asthma attacks and improve lung function in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma. It has also been shown to decrease the need for oral corticosteroids, which can have significant side effects when used long term.
Overall, Fasenra is a promising treatment option for patients with severe, uncontrolled asthma, as it targets a specific underlying mechanism of the disease. However, it may not be suitable for everyone, and patients should discuss their individual treatment options with their healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions about fasenra
FASENRA is indicated for the add-on maintenance treatment of patients with severe asthma aged 12 years and older, and with an eosinophilic phenotype. FASENRA is not indicated for treatment of other eosinophilic conditions or for the relief of acute bronchospasm or status asthmaticus.
What FASENRA contains
| Active ingredient (main ingredient) | Benralizumab, 30 mg |
|---|
| Other ingredients (inactive ingredients) | histidine histidine hydrochloride monohydrate trehalose polysorbate 20 water for injections |
Benralizumab, sold under the brand name Fasenra, is a monoclonal antibody directed against the alpha chain of the interleukin-5 receptor (CD125). It was developed by MedImmune for the treatment of asthma.
Each FASENRA Pen contains 30 mg benralizumab in 1 mL (30 mg/mL). Each FASENRA prefilled syringe contains 30 mg benralizumab in 1 mL (30 mg/mL). Benralizumab is a humanised monoclonal antibody produced in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells by recombinant DNA technology.
Fasenra has an average rating of 7.2 out of 10 from a total of 50 reviews for the treatment of Asthma. 60% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 24% reported a negative experience.
Within 7 days of treatment with Fasenra, median peripheral blood eosinophil counts reached zero in patients with asthma enrolled in a phase II trial. Phase III results also showed that treatment with Fasenra significantly improved exacerbation rates in patients with asthma, compared with those treated with a placebo.
Fasenra is an asthma medicine used to treat adults with a particular type of asthma called eosinophilic asthma. It is used as an additional treatment in adults with severe asthma that is not adequately controlled by a combination of high-dose inhaled corticosteroids plus medicines called long-acting beta-agonists.
Fasenra is a biologic drug. Biologics are made from living cells that take years of research to develop. Biologics that treat rare conditions such as severe eosinophilic asthma are sometimes more expensive to develop and market. They're also only available through specialty pharmacies.
FASENRA is a prescription medicine used with other asthma medicines for the maintenance treatment of asthma in people 12 years and older whose asthma is not controlled with their current asthma medicines.
FASENRA may cause serious side effects, including: allergic (hypersensitivity) reactions, including anaphylaxis. Serious allergic reactions can happen after you get your FASENRA injection.
How Long Does It Take To Work? Fasenra works within 24 hours. A significant reduction of eosinophil levels in the blood was observed in patients after taking the medication. Moreover, the symptoms of asthma exacerbation started to reduce and lung functions improved after 4 weeks of Fasenra treatment.
The cost for Fasenra subcutaneous solution (30 mg/mL) is around $5,197 for a supply of 1 milliliter(s), depending on the pharmacy you visit.
