Mepolizumab (Monograph)

Brand name: Nucala
Drug class: Interleukin Antagonists

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Aug 28, 2023. Written by ASHP.

Introduction

Disease-modifying agent used in severe eosinophilic asthma and other eosinophilic conditions; a recombinant DNA-derived humanized interleukin-5 (IL-5) receptor antagonist monoclonal antibody and IgG₁ kappa immunoglobulin.^{1 6 7 15 19 27 28}

Uses for Mepolizumab

Asthma

Adjunctive maintenance therapy in adult and pediatric patients ≥6 years of age with severe eosinophilic asthma.^{1 2 3 4}

Reduces asthma exacerbation rate and decreases oral corticosteroid dosage requirements.^{1 2 3 4} No effect on lung function as measured by change in baseline FEV₁.¹

Guidelines generally recommend use of Type 2-targeted biologic therapies, including mepolizumab, in patients with exacerbations or poor symptom control who are receiving high-dose inhaled corticosteroid–long-acting beta agonist combination therapy with evidence of a Type 2 inflammatory phenotype (e.g., elevated eosinophils).¹²

Not indicated for relief of acute bronchospasm or status asthmaticus.¹

Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps

Add-on maintenance treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) in adult patients ≥18 years of age who have an inadequate response to nasal corticosteroids.¹

Guideline states that biologics may be preferred over other medical treatment options in patients using intranasal corticosteroids for at least 4 weeks who continue to have high disease burden and those who have a higher disease severity upon presentation.²² There is variable efficacy among the available biologics that may influence choice; however, dupilumab and omalizumab are the most beneficial for most patient-reported outcomes when compared with other biologics.²²

Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis

Treatment of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (also known as Churg-Strauss syndrome) in adults;^{1 15 19} designated an orphan drug by FDA for the treatment of this condition.¹⁶

Increases rate and duration of remission, reduces relapse rate, and decreases oral corticosteroid dosage requirements.^{1 15}

Hypereosinophilic Syndrome

Treatment of hypereosinophilic syndrome of at least 6 months' duration and without an identifiable nonhematologic secondary cause in adults and pediatric patients ≥12 years of age;^{1 27} designated an orphan drug by FDA for the treatment of this condition.¹⁶

Reduces incidence and rate of disease flares.¹

Treatment of hypereosinophilic syndrome generally consists of systemic corticosteroid therapy with immunosuppressive/cytotoxic therapy.^{27 28}

Mepolizumab Dosage and Administration

General

Pretreatment Screening

• Provide proper training on injection technique, preparation, and administration prior to use.¹

• Treat patients with pre-existing helminth infections prior to initiating mepolizumab.¹

• Consider herpes zoster vaccination if medically appropriate.¹

Patient Monitoring

• Monitor patients after administration for signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions; discontinue mepolizumab if hypersensitivity reactions occur.¹

• If patients become infected with helminth infections during mepolizumab therapy and do not respond to anti-helminth treatment, discontinue mepolizumab until resolution of infection.¹

Other General Considerations

• Do not abruptly discontinue systemic or inhaled corticosteroids upon initiation of mepolizumab therapy.¹ Decrease corticosteroid dosages gradually, if appropriate, under the direct supervision of a prescriber.¹

Administration

Administer by sub-Q injection; do not administer IV.¹

Commercially available as an injection in single-use prefilled syringes and autoinjectors; may be self-administered.¹ Also available as lyophilized powder in single-use vials; must be reconstituted and administered by a clinician.¹

Sub-Q Administration

Administer by sub-Q injection into the upper arm, thigh, or abdomen (except within 2 inches of the navel).¹ Avoid injection into areas where the skin is tender, bruised, erythematous, or indurated.¹

Mepolizumab Injection

Single-use prefilled syringes and autoinjectors containing mepolizumab injection (100 mg/mL) are for use in adults and adolescents ≥12 years of age.¹ May be self-administered.¹ Provide patients and/or caregivers with proper training on how to administer the drug using the prefilled syringes or autoinjectors.¹ Consult manufacturer's labeling for detailed instructions.¹ Administer injections into the thigh or abdomen; may use upper arm if a caregiver or clinician is administering the injection.¹

Mepolizumab 40 mg/0.4 mL prefilled syringes are only for use in children 6–11 years of age and must be administered by a healthcare provider or caregiver.

Prior to use, allow the prefilled syringe or autoinjector to sit at room temperature, away from direct sunlight, for 30 minutes; do not use other warming methods.¹ Inspect visually for particulate matter or discoloration.¹ Solution should appear clear to opalescent, and colorless to pale yellow or pale brown; discard if cloudy, discolored, or contains particulates.¹ Do not use the prefilled syringe or autoinjector if dropped on a hard surface.¹

Mepolizumab Lyophilized Powder

Reconstitute vial containing 100 mg of mepolizumab lyophilized powder with 1.2 mL of sterile water for injection (using a 2- or 3-mL syringe with 21-gauge needle) to provide a solution containing 100 mg/mL.¹

Direct the stream of sterile water diluent onto the lyophilized powder.¹ Swirl vial gently for 10 seconds approximately every 15 seconds until completely dissolved (typically ≤5 minutes).¹ Do not shake.¹

Mechanical reconstitution device may be used to swirl the vial at 450 rpm for ≤10 minutes or at 1000 rpm for ≤5 minutes.¹

Reconstituted solution is clear to opalescent, colorless to pale yellow or pale brown, and essentially free from particulates (small air bubbles acceptable).¹

Withdraw appropriate dose (1 mL for a 100-mg dose or 0.4 mL for a 40-mg dose) into a syringe and administer sub-Q into the upper arm, thigh, or abdomen.¹

Vials are for single use only; discard any unused portions of reconstituted solution.¹

Dosage

If a dose is missed, administer the missed dose as soon as possible and administer the next dose on the usual day of administration.¹ If it is time for the next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and administer the scheduled dose as planned.¹

Pediatric Patients

Asthma

Sub-Q

Children 6–11 years of age: 40 mg once every 4 weeks.¹

Adolescents ≥12 years of age: 100 mg once every 4 weeks.¹

Hypereosinophilic Syndrome

Sub-Q

Adolescents ≥12 years of age: 300 mg (given as 3 consecutive 100-mg doses administered at least 2 inches apart) once every 4 weeks.¹

Adults

Asthma

Sub-Q

100 mg once every 4 weeks.¹

Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps

Sub-Q

100 mg once every 4 weeks.¹

Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis

Sub-Q

300 mg (given as 3 consecutive 100-mg doses administered at least 2 inches apart) once every 4 weeks.¹

Hypereosinophilic Syndrome

Sub-Q

300 mg (given as 3 consecutive 100-mg doses administered at least 2 inches apart) once every 4 weeks.¹

Special Populations

Hepatic Impairment

No specific dosage recommendations at this time.¹

Renal Impairment

No specific dosage recommendations at this time.¹

Geriatric Use

No specific dosage recommendations at this time.¹

Cautions for Mepolizumab

Contraindications

• Patients with a history of hypersensitivity to the drug or any ingredient in the formulation.¹

Warnings/Precautions

Sensitivity Reactions

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis, angioedema, bronchospasm, hypotension, urticaria, rash) reported, generally occurring within hours or possibly days following administration.¹ If hypersensitivity reaction occurs, discontinue mepolizumab.¹

Deterioration of Disease and Acute Episodes

Not indicated for treatment of acute asthma symptoms or exacerbations, acute bronchospasm, or status asthmaticus.¹

Infectious Complications

Herpes Zoster Infection

Herpes zoster infection (sometimes serious) reported.¹ Consider varicella (zoster) vaccination before starting therapy, if medically appropriate.¹

Parasitic Infection

Immune response against some parasitic (helminth) infections may be altered.¹ Not studied in patients with known parasitic infections.¹ Treat patients with preexisting parasitic (helminth) infections before initiating mepolizumab.¹ If parasitic infection occurs and does not respond to anti-helmintic treatment, interrupt mepolizumab therapy until infection resolves.¹

Reduction of Corticosteroid Dosage

Do not abruptly discontinue systemic or inhaled corticosteroid therapy upon initiation of mepolizumab therapy.¹ If appropriate, reduce corticosteroid dosage gradually and supervise such reduction carefully.¹

Immunogenicity

Development of anti-mepolizumab antibodies reported.¹ Neutralizing antibodies reported in one patient receiving mepolizumab for asthma; no neutralizing antibodies detected in patients receiving the drug for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, or hypereosinophilic syndrome.¹ No apparent correlation between anti-mepolizumab antibody titers and change in eosinophil concentrations.¹ Clinical importance of such antibodies not known.¹

Specific Populations

Pregnancy

No evidence of fetal harm in monkeys following IV mepolizumab during pregnancy.¹ Potential effects of monoclonal antibodies (e.g., mepolizumab) more likely to occur in second and third trimesters.¹

Lactation

Distributed into milk in monkeys.¹ Not known whether distributed into human milk, or if has effects on the breast-fed child or milk production.¹ Since IgG distributes into milk in humans, mepolizumab is expected to distribute into human milk.¹

Weigh potential risks to infants against clinical need and known benefits of breast-feeding.¹

Pediatric Use

Safety and efficacy for treatment of severe eosinophilic asthma not established in children <6 years of age.¹

Adolescents with severe asthma: Evaluated in 19 adolescent patients 12–17 years of age; adverse effect profile generally similar to that observed in adults.¹ Mean apparent clearance was 35% less than that of adults.¹

Children with severe asthma: Safety and efficacy extrapolated from clinical studies in adults and adolescents in addition to pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and safety data in children 6–11 years of age.¹ Dosage of 40 mg sub-Q regardless of body weight expected to result in similar exposure observed in adults and adolescents receiving 100 mg sub-Q.¹ Safety profile and pharmacodynamics are similar to those observed in adults and adolescents ≥12 years of age.¹

Safety and efficacy for treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps not established in patients <18 years of age.¹

Safety and efficacy for treatment of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis not established in patients <18 years of age.¹

Safety and efficacy for the treatment of hypereosinophilic syndrome in pediatric patients <12 years of age not established.¹

Geriatric Use

Insufficient experience in patients ≥65 years of age.¹ No overall differences in safety and efficacy relative to younger adults, but increased sensitivity cannot be ruled out.¹

Hepatic Impairment

Pharmacokinetics not studied in patients with hepatic impairment.¹

Renal Impairment

Pharmacokinetics not studied in patients with renal impairment.¹

Common Adverse Effects

Adverse reactions reported in ≥5% of patients in studies of approved indications are as follows:

• Asthma: headache, injection site reaction, back pain, fatigue.¹

• Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis: oropharyngeal pain, arthralgia.¹

• Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis and hypereosinophilic syndrome: most common adverse reactions are similar to those in patients with asthma.¹

Drug Interactions

No formal drug interaction studies to date.¹

Mepolizumab Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

Bioavailability

Absolute bioavailability following sub-Q injection in patients with severe asthma approximately 80%.¹

Maximum plasma concentrations occurred from 4–8 days following sub-Q administration.¹²

Steady-state concentrations reached by approximately 16 weeks.¹² Two-fold accumulation of drug observed at steady state.^{1 12}

Dose-proportional pharmacokinetics over a sub-Q dosage range of 12.5–250 mg.¹ Sub-Q administration of 300 mg in patients with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis or hypereosinophilic syndrome results in approximately 3 times the systemic exposure observed in patients with severe asthma receiving 100 mg sub-Q.¹

Onset

Decreases in blood eosinophil count observed on the third day following sub-Q administration.^{1 7}

Duration

Following drug discontinuance, blood and sputum eosinophil counts increase within 3 months, blood eosinophil counts return to baseline over 6 months, and rate of severe asthma exacerbations increases over 3–6 months.¹⁰ Exacerbation rate no different than that with placebo after 12 months.¹⁰

Distribution

Extent

Distributed into milk in monkeys.¹ Not known whether distributed into human milk.¹

Elimination

Metabolism

Metabolized by widely distributed proteolytic enzymes.¹

Half-life

16–22 days.¹

Special Populations

Adolescents 12–17 years of age: Mean apparent clearance 35% less than that of adults.¹

Stability

Storage

Parenteral

Injection

Prefilled syringes and autoinjectors: 2–8°C.¹ Keep in original carton to protect from light.¹ Do notshake, freeze, or expose to heat.¹ May be stored at ≤30°C in original carton for up to 7 days prior to use.¹ Discard if not refrigerated for >7 days.¹ Must be used within 8 hours after removal from original carton.¹ Discard if not administered within 8 hours.¹

Powder for Injection

Powder: <25°C.¹ Keep in original package and protect from light.¹ Do not freeze.¹

Reconstituted solution: Use immediately or store at <30°C for up to 8 hours.¹ Do not freeze.¹

Actions

• Recombinant DNA-derived humanized interleukin-5 (IL-5) receptor antagonist monoclonal antibody and IgG₁ kappa immunoglobulin.¹

• Inhibits IL-5 binding to the alpha chain of the IL-5 receptor complex expressed on the eosinophil cell surface.^{1 6 7 11}

• Blocks IL-5 signaling that interferes with growth, differentiation, recruitment, activation, and survival of eosinophils and decreases eosinophil-mediated inflammation.^{1 6 7 8 11}

• Results in dose-dependent decreases in blood eosinophil counts; effects observed 3 days post-dose and lasting at least 8–12 weeks.¹

Advice to Patients

• Advise the patient or caregiver is administering the drug using prefilled syringes or autoinjectors to read the manufacturer's instructions for use.¹

• Risk of hypersensitivity reactions.¹ Importance of patients informing clinicians if hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis, angioedema, bronchospasm, hypotension, urticaria, rash) occur.¹

• Inform patients that mepolizumab does not relieve acute asthma symptoms or exacerbations.¹ Advise patients to contact their clinician if asthma remains uncontrolled or worsens after treatment initiation.¹

• Possible increased risk of herpes zoster infections.¹ Importance of patients informing clinicians if they do not have a history of varicella infection or vaccination.¹

• Inform patients with asthma receiving inhaled or systemic corticosteroids 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.¹

• Importance of informing clinicians of existing or contemplated concomitant therapy, including prescription and OTC drugs, as well as any concomitant illnesses.¹

• Importance of women informing clinicians if they are or plan to become pregnant or plan to breast-feed.¹

• Importance of informing patients of other important precautionary information.¹

Additional Information

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided in the accompanying monograph was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. Readers are advised that decisions regarding use of drugs are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and that the information contained in the monograph is provided for informational purposes only. The manufacturer’s labeling should be consulted for more detailed information. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information contained in the monograph is not a substitute for medical care.

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.

Mepolizumab is available only through a limited number of specialty pharmacies and distributors.¹⁷ Clinicians may consult the Nucala website for US health professionals ([Web]) or call 844-468-2252 for information on how to obtain the drug.¹⁷

Biological Products Related to mepolizumab

Find detailed information on biosimilars for this medication.

Frequently asked questions

• How long does it take for Nucala to work?
• Can Nucala cause weight gain?
• Can Nucala be self-administered? How is it injected?
• How does Nucala (mepolizumab) work? What is the MOA?
• What is Nucala (mepolizumab) used for and how is it given?

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