Mepolizumab and Back Pain: What Users Say

• Nik...
• May 24, 2019

For Asthma "After being on prednisone for years and no improvement. Nothing to lose but to try Nucala. Well, it has helped tremendously. My breathing issues, stuffy nose, and tons of mucus have stopped. However, after the first needle, I noticed I have flu-like symptoms. I thought I was having the flu. After the second needle, the doctor said to continue Nucala. While it improved my asthma, I am having severe back pain and pain all over my body. I am actually suffering in pain. Can someone please let me know if anyone else is having the same side effects, so I can prove to my doctor it is not in my head? While I like that my asthma has improved, I am suffering and cannot walk due to pain everywhere in my body. Please let me know if there is someone else experiencing this. Thanks."

• Nic...
• August 6, 2019

For Asthma "I have been on Nucala for 2 years. I am 41 years old. I’ve had several sinus infections, coughing like crazy, reflux. When the Dr. discovered I had Eosinophilic allergic asthma, he put me on Nucala. About 10 minutes after my injection, I had severe back pain & fatigue. As time goes by, I’m noticing more side effects. I’ve lost 30% of my hair. Severe dry skin on face. Arthritic pain. Headaches. Nucala has helped me tremendously, but I’m so upset about all my thinning/lost hair. I’ve had every blood test done. Thyroid checked. All good. Has to be a side effect. Everyone, PLEASE REPORT ALL YOUR SIDE EFFECTS!!! They need to know so many people are suffering from hair loss, joint pain, fatigue, headaches, muscle spasms, etc. I have to meet with my Dr. again to go over all this."

• Alw...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 24, 2020

For Asthma "After two years on Nucala, I have had enough. For the past three months, I have had excruciating joint pain in my knees, ankles, wrists, elbows, and fingers to the point that I cannot run at all or even walk without pain. While on Nucala, my joints have always been hurting, but now it's just so much worse. I've also suffered from headaches, sore throat, muscle spasms, chest and back pain, and some eczema. I lost half of my hair in the last two months and some of my eyebrows as well. The weird thing is, all was well for over a year and a half, except for some minor joint ache, but then suddenly everything went bad really fast. Now I have to wait for a few months for Nucala to leave my system, and hopefully things will return to normal. It did help with my asthma and nasal polyps, but now the side effects are just too much."

• Lex...
• March 27, 2017

For Asthma "I've always had bad asthma as a kid. I was constantly put on steroids. My doctor did an IgE test, and mine was over 1,500 (less than 100 is normal). I was put on Nucala for 5 months. At the time of the first injection, my lung function was at 86%, at the time of the fifth injection, I was at around 35%. While on this drug, I felt so sick! Back pain, headache, nausea, fatigue. I felt like I had the flu every day! We decided to stop the drug. (I am still looking for a new treatment option)"

• suy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 8, 2019

For Asthma "I had my first Nucala shot in June 2019, and it seems to help my asthma. I completely stopped taking prednisone, which was amazing because I have become totally dependent on it to breathe. My second Nucala shot, I started to notice several side effects: severe back pain, stomach pain, urinary tract infection, and the final straw was severe muscle pain and spasms. The pain I experience from the muscle spasms is so bad I cry. I had to discontinue this drug. I was very hopeful this would be the answer to my asthma, so now I am back on prednisone."

• Msb...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 13, 2020

For Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis "I have eosinophilic asthma and took Xolair for 10 years until it started to cause severe back pain and leg pain. I stopped the Xolair, and the pain went away entirely. I started the Nucala in January 2019, and at first, it worked like a charm for the asthma, but I always had some type of flu-like symptoms. As time went on, the Nucala became less and less effective, and I am still having what feels like a constant flu-like virus all the time, some anxiety, and constant stomach aches. After the last shot, I developed shingles within a day and a half after the shot. I truly believe these monoclonal antibody therapies (Xolair, Nucala, Fasenra, etc.) are decreasing our immune systems and creating a more immunosuppressed environment. I am not sure what I am going to do at this point, but I hope I am not doing more harm than good to my body."

• Lil...
• July 2, 2021

For Asthma "I will definitely start reporting again as the symptoms are similar to others. It’s definitely making my asthma better, but I have side effects of lower back pain, earaches, and muscle spasms, which are real with this injection. Please report your side effects, guys, the better data they gather from the community, the better for the next person."

• Pjb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 25, 2022

For Hypereosinophilic Syndrome "Just received my 3 shots (300 milligrams) and administered it at home. After working with my doctors. My eosinophils have gone down. But the tiredness, back pain, and headaches are horrible. Time will tell if this will be worth it. Totally off prednisone after years of taking it. Unfortunately, severe osteoporosis from the prednisone. Age 57."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2020

For Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis "I have been getting the Nucala injections for about 6 months now, and for the first couple of months, I could breathe okay but developed a sinus/ear infection that caused a complete blockage in my ear. I have still been having to use my nebulizer treatments and rescue inhaler and have severe fatigue, headaches, muscle spasms, and back pain. I will not be getting any more of these injections."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 26, 2020

For Asthma "I have been taking Nucala for 9 months. I have severe persistent eosinophilic asthma. My asthma had a rapid onset and began about 2 years ago. I was completely healthy prior. I was using a nebulizer every 2-3 hours around the clock and on 02 at 3-5L because my airways were so tight. 10 days after the first injection, I was no longer requiring oxygen or neb treatments. Over the course of treatment, I've had a few minor setbacks, but they've been small in comparison to what I was living prior. The first couple of months, I had bad headaches and some backaches, but both resolved with ibuprofen. I get tired and flu-like at times, but a short rest usually takes care of that. I have minor skin issues, and my hair has thinned a bit, but those are things that I'm willing to deal with to have my life back. I can take my grandbaby on walks in her stroller and not be gasping for air. Nucala has been life-changing for me."

• ter...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 17, 2023

For Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis "Where do I start? I was fine until I took Nucala. My PSA immediately doubled, my blood pressure went up, I had debilitating back and shoulder pain, my bowels got clogged up, I was tired, and I had abdominal pain. In short, the stuff was poison to me. All these issues that came up I never had until Nucala. NONE of them. I am now off Nucala, but my back still won't heal and is very painful. Be careful what you take and what you believe about these biologics. You could not pay me to take Nucala!!"

• Kel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 30, 2023

For Asthma, Maintenance "I have only been using Nucala for 4 months, but the improvement has been incredible. My breathing has been so much better. I no longer need prednisone, and I have reduced my inhaler use immensely. Side effects on occasion are some mild back and joint pain."

• eri...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 11, 2023

For Hypereosinophilic Syndrome "Nucala has definitely regulated my eosinophils. However, my asthma was still causing me discomfort. I ended up having to take Tezpire as well. My joint pain and back pain have been miserable. My strength and endurance are all but gone. I may have to change careers. Not sure what to do."

• Mor...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 6, 2022

For Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis "On Nucala ~5 years for Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA). EGPA manifests like asthma, I suspect it is more nuanced. Close enough! I have only used a month-long steroid inhaler to get a handle on a rare extreme seasonal flare-up 2x during the past ~5 years. The source of any side effects is hard to attribute because they require going off meds to narrow the true cause. That is not practical for me. Skin rashes preceded first injections by months and about 2 years of inconclusive dermatology investigations before it abated. Recurs occasionally. Rash vaguely resembles early shingles, and I can't say it's the Nucala, but it may be a component. A general malaise during autumn and winter is common (in my experience). This might be EGPA-related, boosting prednisone for 2 weeks sets things right. I am reactive to prednisone, and it has its own downside. Currently: more frequent aches/back pains this year. COVID shutdown = poor muscle tone could be exacerbating it as much as any drug."

• Ach...
• March 18, 2023

For Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis "Nucala makes my back hurt. I feel queasy. Pain in the left upper abdomen. I'm on the 4th dose. Not sure about this Nucala, especially after all the positive hype from the doctors."