How does Benlysta help lupus?
Benlysta helps lupus by reducing disease activity and flares and decreasing the need for steroid medications by up to 25%. Benlysta works for lupus by binding to a substance called BLyS, which helps B cells to survive for longer. When Benlysta is attached to BLyS, BLyS can no longer bind to and stimulate autoreactive B cells.
Autoreactive B cells are overactive B cells that attack normal tissue causing inflammation instead of just producing antibodies as normal B cells do. B cells are a type of lymphocyte, and an important part of our immune system and people with lupus develop too many autoreactive B cells.
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What is the difference between Benlysta and Saphnelo?
Both Benlysta and Saphnelo are targeted treatments that may be used to treat systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in addition to standard therapy. But their approved indications, recommended target age groups, and the way they work, differ. They are the only two medicines to have been approved to treat SLE since the 1950s.
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What's the difference between Lupkynis and Benlysta?
Benlysta subcutaneous or intravenous injection is approved to treat adults and children 5 years of age and older with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and active lupus nephritis (lupus-related kidney inflammation), while Lupkynis oral capsules are only approved to treat lupus nephritis in adults. Lupkynis has not yet been approved for use in children.
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Does Benlysta cause weight gain?
Although weight gain is not listed as a side effect of Benlysta in the product information, a phase IV clinical study that analyzed side effect information from 14,100 people who had taken Benlysta reported weight gain as a side effect for 2.87% of them (404 people). Continue reading
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Related medical questions
- Where do you inject Benlysta?
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- How does Benlysta work for lupus?
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Drug information
- Benlysta Information for Consumers
- Benlysta prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Benlysta (detailed)
- Benlysta user reviews (65)
Related support groups
- Benlysta (14 questions, 34 members)