Benralizumab

FASENRA

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Pronunciation: ben-ra-LIZ-yoo-mab

Benralizumab ballicule: receptor binding, kinetics and half-life diagram — Mechanism of action: Benralizumab ballicule

Benralizumab FASENRA mascot mnemonic cartoon — Visual mnemonic: Benralizumab mascot
**“Fasten in Bent rail”**

What it isIL-5 receptor monoclonal antibody that depletes eosinophils; severe eosinophilic asthma and EGPA.

Why this oneIt causes near-complete depletion by antibody-dependent cytotoxicity rather than neutralizing IL-5; for asthma, every-eight-week maintenance dosing.

What limits itBenefit tracks eosinophil count. Hypersensitivity can end treatment; treat helminths first and never use it for acute bronchospasm.

Benralizumab molecular structure (skeletal formula) — Molecular structure: Benralizumab

FDA label

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FDA dosing	Population	Start	Target	Max
Severe eosinophilic asthma (add-on maintenance)	Adults & pediatric ≥12 yr	30 mg SC q4wk ×3 doses	then 30 mg SC q8wk	—
Severe eosinophilic asthma (add-on maintenance)	Pediatric 6–11 yr, <35 kg	10 mg SC q4wk ×3 doses	then 10 mg SC q8wk	—
Severe eosinophilic asthma (add-on maintenance)	Pediatric 6–11 yr, ≥35 kg	30 mg SC q4wk ×3 doses	then 30 mg SC q8wk	—
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA)	Adults	—	30 mg SC q4wk	—
Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES)	Adults & pediatric ≥12 yr	—	30 mg SC q4wk	—

Renal Undefined

Hepatic Undefined

Instructions

Subcutaneous injection into thigh or abdomen (upper arm if given by HCP/caregiver)
Not for relief of acute bronchospasm or status asthmaticus
Do not discontinue systemic/inhaled corticosteroids abruptly; taper gradually if appropriate
Treat pre-existing helminth infections before starting

Available strengths

inj 30 mg/mL

Cautions

Hypersensitivity reactions (anaphylaxis, angioedema, urticaria, rash)
Do not stop corticosteroids abruptly
Parasitic (helminth) infection — treat before initiating

Adverse reactions

Headache
Pharyngitis (asthma)
Hypersensitivity reactions and influenza-like illness (HES)

Pregnancy Insufficient data; monoclonal antibody crosses placenta (3rd trimester).

Lactation No human milk data; IgG present in human milk in small amounts.

Cost

Benralizumab (FASENRA)

Strength		#/mo	generic $/unit	CostPlus
30 mg/mL	inj	per unit		not offered

NADAC is a voluntary CMS survey of what retail community pharmacies pay for the drugs they stock. Benralizumab is administered under clinical supervision and dispensed outside retail pharmacies, so it rarely appears on surveyed invoices.

NO BOXED WARNINGS

Principal riskHypersensitivity reactions; not a rescue for acute asthma

Classes and tags

Clinical profile

Therapeutic safety burden1 / 4

Sedation liability0 / 4

Direct muscarinic antagonism0 / 4

Embryofetal risk2 / 4

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