Benralizumab
Class: Interleukin Antagonists
- Antiasthmatic Agents
Chemical Name: Disulfide with human-mouse monoclonal MEDI-563 κ-chain, anti-(human interleukin 5 receptor α-chain) (human-mouse monoclonal MEDI-563 heavy chain), immunoglobulin G1, dimer
Molecular Formula: C6492H10060N1724O2028S42
CAS Number: 1044511-01-4
Brands: Fasenra
Introduction
Antiasthmatic agent; a recombinant DNA-derived afucosylated humanized monoclonal antibody specific for the alpha chain of the interleukin-5 (IL-5) receptor (IL-5Rα) and an IgG1 kappa immunoglobulin.
Uses for Benralizumab
Asthma
Adjunctive maintenance therapy in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma.
Reduces asthma exacerbation rate, decreases oral corticosteroid dosage requirements, and improves FEV1 from baseline.
Eosinophilic phenotype (i.e., eosinophilic asthma) generally characterized by blood and sputum eosinophilia, eosinophilic inflammation, recurrent asthma exacerbations, and, frequently, responsiveness to corticosteroids.
Not indicated for treatment of other eosinophilic conditions.
Not indicated for relief of acute bronchospasm or status asthmaticus.
Benralizumab Dosage and Administration
General
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Monitor patients for hypersensitivity reactions after administration. (See Hypersensitivity under Cautions.)
Administration
Sub-Q Administration
Administer by sub-Q injection into the upper arm, thigh, or abdomen; intended for administration by a clinician.
Commercially available in prefilled syringes.
Remove syringe from refrigerator and allow to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes prior to injection; use within 24 hours or discard. (See Storage under Stability.)
Contains no preservatives; intended for single use only.
Inject entire contents of prefilled syringe (1 mL providing 30 mg).
Dosage
Pediatric Patients
Asthma
Sub-Q
Adolescents ≥12 years of age: Initially, 30 mg every 4 weeks for 3 doses followed by 30 mg every 8 weeks.
Adults
Asthma
Sub-Q
Initially, 30 mg every 4 weeks for 3 doses followed by 30 mg every 8 weeks.
Special Populations
No special population dosage recommendations at this time.
Cautions for Benralizumab
Contraindications
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History of hypersensitivity to benralizumab or any ingredient in the formulation.
Warnings/Precautions
Sensitivity Reactions
Hypersensitivity
Hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis, angioedema, urticaria, rash) reported, generally occurring within hours or possibly days following administration. If hypersensitivity reaction occurs, discontinue benralizumab. (See Contraindications under Cautions.)
Deterioration of Disease and Acute Episodes
Not indicated for treatment of acute asthma symptoms or exacerbations, acute bronchospasm, or status asthmaticus. (See Advice to Patients.)
Reduction of Corticosteroid Dosage
Do not abruptly discontinue systemic or inhaled corticosteroid therapy upon initiation of benralizumab therapy. If appropriate, reduce corticosteroid dosage gradually and supervise such reduction carefully.
Parasitic Infection
Immune response against some parasitic (helminth) infections may be altered. Not studied in patients with known parasitic infections. Treat patients with preexisting parasitic (helminth) infections before initiating benralizumab. If parasitic infection occurs and does not respond to anthelmintic treatment, interrupt benralizumab therapy until infection resolves.
Immunogenicity
Potential for immunogenicity. Development of anti-benralizumab antibodies detected in 13% of patients and associated with increased drug clearance and increased blood eosinophil concentrations; development of neutralizing antibodies also detected. Evidence of an association between anti-benralizumab antibodies and efficacy or safety of the drug not observed. (See Special Populations under Pharmacokinetics: Elimination.)
Specific Populations
Pregnancy
No evidence of fetal harm in monkeys following IV benralizumab during pregnancy. Potential effects of monoclonal antibodies (e.g., benralizumab) on the fetus more likely to occur in the third trimester.
Lactation
Not known whether distributed into human milk. Since IgG distributes into milk in humans, benralizumab is expected to distribute into human milk.
Consider benefits of breast-feeding and importance of drug to the woman; also consider potential adverse effects on the breast-fed child from the drug or underlying maternal condition.
Pediatric Use
Safety and efficacy not established in children <12 years of age.
Evaluated in 62 adolescent patients 12–17 years of age with asthma; adverse effect profile generally similar to that observed in adults.
Geriatric Use
No overall differences in safety and efficacy in patients ≥65 years of age relative to younger adults, but increased sensitivity cannot be ruled out.
Hepatic Impairment
Pharmacokinetics not studied in patients with hepatic impairment.
Renal Impairment
Pharmacokinetics not studied in patients with renal impairment.
Common Adverse Effects
Headache, pharyngitis, pyrexia, hypersensitivity reactions.
Interactions for Benralizumab
No formal drug interaction studies to date.
Drugs Metabolized by Hepatic Microsomal Enzymes
CYP substrates: Pharmacokinetic interactions unlikely.
Drugs Affected by Efflux Transport Systems
Substrates of efflux transport systems: Pharmacokinetic interactions unlikely.
Benralizumab Pharmacokinetics
Absorption
Bioavailability
Absolute bioavailability following sub-Q administration approximately 58%.
Relatively slow absorption with an absorption half-life of approximately 3.6 days following sub-Q administration.
Dose-proportional pharmacokinetics over a sub-Q dosage range of 20–200 mg and an IV dosage range of 0.03–3 mg/kg.
Onset
Decreased blood eosinophil count observed 24 hours after IV administration.
Duration
Decreased blood eosinophil count reported to last for at least 8–12 weeks.
Special Populations
Age, sex, and tobacco smoking history did not affect pharmacokinetics of benralizumab in healthy volunteers or those with asthma.
Distribution
Extent
Not known whether distributed into human milk. (See Lactation under Cautions.)
Potential for limited distribution into extravascular tissues.
Elimination
Metabolism
Metabolized by widely distributed proteolytic enzymes.
Elimination Route
Not excreted renally. No evidence of clearance through a target receptor-mediated pathway.
Half-life
Approximately 15 days following sub-Q administration.
Special Populations
Hepatic impairment: Changes in hepatic function not expected to influence clearance.
Renal impairment: Comparable clearance in patients with Clcr between 30–80 mL/minute and those with normal renal function. Limited data in those with Clcr <30 mL/minute.
Anti-benralizumab antibody titers ≥400: 4.6-fold increase in drug clearance.
Age, gender, and race did not affect clearance.
Stability
Storage
Parenteral
Injection
2–8°C in original package and protect from light. Do not freeze or shake.
Actions
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Recombinant DNA-derived afucosylated humanized monoclonal antibody specific for the alpha chain of the interleukin-5 (IL-5) receptor (IL-5Rα) and an IgG1 kappa immunoglobulin.
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Inhibits activation of IL-5R and subsequent signal transduction. Induces direct, rapid, and nearly complete depletion of eosinophils and basophils in the circulation, bone marrow, and target tissues through antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity.
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Results in dose-dependent decreases in blood eosinophil counts; effects observed after 24 hours and lasting at least 8–12 weeks.
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Results in associated reductions in blood basophil counts; clinical benefit of such reductions unknown.
Advice to Patients
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Risk of hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis, angioedema, urticaria, rash). Instruct patients to immediately contact a clinician if they experience symptoms of an allergic reaction. (See Hypersensitivity under Cautions.)
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Importance of informing patients that benralizumab does not relieve acute asthma symptoms or exacerbations. Advise patients to contact their clinician if asthma remains uncontrolled or worsens after treatment initiation.
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Importance of informing patients with asthma receiving inhaled or systemic corticosteroid therapy not to discontinue or reduce corticosteroid dosage, since withdrawal symptoms or worsening of asthma may occur; change corticosteroid dosage only under direct supervision of a clinician.
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Importance of informing clinicians of existing or contemplated concomitant therapy, including prescription and OTC drugs, as well as any concomitant illnesses.
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Importance of women informing clinicians if they are or plan to become pregnant or plan to breast-feed.
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Importance of informing patients of other important precautionary information. (See Cautions.)
Preparations
Excipients in commercially available drug preparations may have clinically important effects in some individuals; consult specific product labeling for details.
Please refer to the ASHP Drug Shortages Resource Center for information on shortages of one or more of these preparations.
Routes |
Dosage Forms |
Strengths |
Brand Names |
Manufacturer |
---|---|---|---|---|
Parenteral |
Injection, for subcutaneous use |
30 mg/mL |
Fasenra (available as single-dose prefilled syringes) |
AstraZeneca |
AHFS DI Essentials™. © Copyright 2022, Selected Revisions February 11, 2019. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.
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