Reslizumab (Monograph)

Brand name: Cinqair
Drug class: Interleukin Antagonists
- Antiasthmatic Agents
Chemical name: Disulfide with human-rat monoclonal SCH 55700 light chain, anti-(human interleukin 5) (human-rat monoclonal SCH 55700 γ4-chain), immunoglobulin G4 dimer
CAS number: 241473-69-8

Introduction

Antiasthmatic agent; a recombinant DNA-derived humanized interleukin-5 (IL-5) receptor antagonist monoclonal antibody and IgG₄ kappa immunoglobulin.

Uses for Reslizumab

Asthma

Adjunctive maintenance therapy in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma.

Reduces asthma exacerbation rate 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.

Reslizumab Dosage and Administration

Administration

IV Administration

Administer by IV infusion. Do not administer by rapid IV injection (e.g., IV push or bolus).

Administer diluted reslizumab solution in a healthcare setting by a clinician prepared to manage anaphylaxis.

Observe patient during infusion and for an appropriate period of time following infusion. Immediately discontinue therapy if patient experiences a severe systemic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis). (See Sensitivity Reactions under Cautions.)

If diluted solution is refrigerated, allow to reach room temperature prior to administration.

Administer drug via an infusion set through a compatible, low-protein-binding 0.2-µm inline filter (e.g., polyethersulfone [PES], polyvinylidene fluoride [PVDF], nylon, cellulose acetate inline filter).

Flush IV line with 0.9% sodium chloride injection at end of infusion.

Do not mix or dilute with any other drugs.

Dilution

Must be diluted prior to administration.

Remove single-use vials from the refrigerator; do not shake to avoid foaming.

Translucent to white amorphous particles may be present in the solution. Do not administer if solution appears discolored or if other foreign particles are present.

Withdraw required volume of reslizumab injection concentrate from vial labeled as containing 10 mg/mL; slowly dilute in 50 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride injection in a PVC or polyolefin infusion bag. Discard any unused portion of the injection concentrate.

Mix by gentle inversion; do not shake.

Rate of Administration

Administer by IV infusion over 20–50 minutes; infusion time may vary depending on the total volume of solution.

Dosage

Adults

Asthma

IV

3 mg/kg every 4 weeks.

Special Populations

No specific dosage recommendations for renal or hepatic impairment at this time.

Geriatric Patients

Dosage adjustments not needed.

Cautions for Reslizumab

Contraindications

• History of hypersensitivity to the drug or any ingredient in the formulation.

Warnings/Precautions

Sensitivity Reactions

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis) reported. Manifestations included dyspnea, decreased oxygen saturation, wheezing, vomiting, skin and mucosal involvement (e.g., urticaria). Reported as early as the second dose of reslizumab and occurred during infusion or within 20 minutes after infusion completed.

Administer reslizumab in a healthcare setting by a clinician prepared to manage anaphylaxis. Observe patients for an appropriate period of time after administration. If severe systemic reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis) occur, immediately stop infusion and provide medical treatment. If anaphylaxis occurs, permanently discontinue treatment. (See Advice to Patients.)

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.)

Malignancy

Malignant neoplasms reported; occurred in various tissue types. Most of these malignancies were diagnosed within <6 months of exposure to reslizumab.

Reduction of Corticosteroid Dosage

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

Parasitic Infection

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

Immunogenicity

Potential for immunogenicity. Development of anti-reslizumab antibodies reported. Effects on pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, clinical efficacy, and safety of the drug not observed.

Specific Populations

Pregnancy

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

Lactation

Distributed into milk in mice. Not known whether distributed into human milk. However, human IgG distributes into milk in humans.

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

Pediatric Use

Safety and efficacy not established in pediatric patients <18 years of age.

Geriatric Use

No overall differences in efficacy or safety observed in patients ≥65 years of age compared with younger patients.

Hepatic Impairment

Pharmacokinetics not studied in patients with hepatic impairment. (See Special Populations under Pharmacokinetics.)

Renal Impairment

Pharmacokinetics not studied in patients with renal impairment. (See Special Populations under Pharmacokinetics,)

Common Adverse Effects

Headache, upper respiratory tract infection, allergic rhinitis, back pain, sinusitis, urinary tract infection, dyspnea, dizziness, oropharyngeal pain, nausea/vomiting.

Drug Interactions

No formal drug interaction studies to date.

Drugs Metabolized by Hepatic Microsomal Enzymes

Unlikely to affect CYP1A2, 2B6, or 3A4.

Specific Drugs

Reslizumab Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

Bioavailability

Peak plasma concentrations typically occur at end of IV infusion. Serum concentrations generally decline in a biphasic manner. Following repeated IV administration, 1.5- to 1.9-fold accumulation of the drug observed.

Onset

Decreased blood eosinophil count observed as early as 2–3 days following IV administration.

Distribution

Extent

Distributed into milk in mice. Not known whether distributed into human milk. (See Lactation under Cautions.)

Elimination

Metabolism

Metabolized by proteolytic enzymes.

Half-life

24 days.

Special Populations

Hepatic impairment: No substantial differences in pharmacokinetics in patients with mild hepatic impairment (total bilirubin concentrations >1 times but not >1.5 times the ULN or total bilirubin concentrations not exceeding the ULN with AST concentrations exceeding the ULN) compared with those having normal hepatic function.

Renal impairment: No substantial differences in pharmacokinetics in patients with mild (estimated GFR of 60–89 mL/minute per 1.73 m²) or moderate (estimated GFR of 30–59 mL/minute per 1.73 m²) renal impairment compared with those having normal renal function.

Stability

Storage

Parenteral

Injection

2–8°C in original package to protect from light. Do not shake or freeze.

Diluted solution: May store at 2–8°C or at room temperature up to 25°C and protect from light for up to 16 hours after dilution. Time between dilution and administration not >16 hours.

Compatibility

Parenteral

Solution Compatibility

Drug Compatibility

Do not mix or dilute with any other drug.

Do not infuse in the same IV line with any other drug.

Actions

• Recombinant DNA-derived humanized interleukin-5 (IL-5) receptor antagonist monoclonal antibody and IgG₄ kappa immunoglobulin.

• Inhibits binding of IL-5 to the alpha chain of the IL-5 receptor complex expressed on the eosinophil cell surface.

• Blocks IL-5 signaling, thereby interfering with growth, differentiation, recruitment, activation, and survival of eosinophils.

Advice to Patients

• Risk of hypersensitivity reactions (e.g, including anaphylaxis). Advise patients of signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis (e.g., skin or mucosal involvement, airway compromise, reduced BP). Instruct patients to immediately contact a clinician if they experience symptoms of an allergic reaction after receiving reslizumab infusion. (See Hypersensitivity under Cautions.)

• Importance of informing patients that reslizumab does not relieve acute asthma symptoms or exacerbations. Advise patients to contact their clinician if asthma remains uncontrolled or worsens after treatment initiation.

• Advise patients of possible increased risk of malignancy.

• Importance of informing 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.

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

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

• 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.

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Find detailed information on biosimilars for this medication.

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