Fasenra Pen (Benralizumab)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Fasenra Pen Used For?
Fasenra Pen contains benralizumab, a monoclonal antibody that helps treat specific inflammatory conditions by reducing eosinophils (a type of white blood cell involved in inflammation).
Primary Uses
Fasenra Pen is used to treat eosinophilic asthma in adults and children 12 years and older, and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) in adults 18 years and older. For asthma, it’s used together with your regular asthma medicines when they’re not controlling your symptoms well enough. For EGPA, it helps reduce symptoms and prevent flare-ups of this condition that affects blood vessels and organs.
How It Works
Benralizumab works by binding to a specific receptor on eosinophils called the interleukin-5 (IL-5) receptor. By attaching to this receptor, Fasenra Pen reduces the number of eosinophils in your blood, which helps control inflammation in asthma and EGPA.
Good to know: Fasenra Pen may help reduce the number of asthma attacks and make it easier to breathe normally. It may also help reduce the daily dose of oral steroids you need.
How to Take Fasenra Pen
Fasenra Pen is given as an injection under the skin (subcutaneous). Your doctor, nurse, or trained caregiver can give the injection, or you may be taught to inject it yourself.
Dosage Instructions
For asthma: 30 mg (one injection) every 4 weeks for the first 3 doses, then one injection every 8 weeks after that. For EGPA: 30 mg (one injection) every 4 weeks. Injections are usually given in your thigh or abdomen. When given by someone else, it may also be given in the upper arm. Do not try to inject yourself in the arm. Continue taking Fasenra Pen for as long as your doctor tells you, even if you feel well.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss a dose, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist as soon as possible. They will tell you what to do and may need to reschedule your appointment. If you give yourself the injection, do not take your missed dose unless your healthcare provider tells you to.
Important: Do not stop taking or reduce the dose of your other asthma medicines unless your doctor advises you to. Some medicines, especially steroids, must be stopped gradually under medical supervision.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Fever or high temperature
- Injection site reactions (pain, redness, itching, swelling where injection was given)
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Allergic reactions including rash, itching, hives, swelling of face/lips/tongue, shortness of breath, wheezing, difficulty breathing, fainting, dizziness, feeling lightheaded
Important Warnings
There are important safety considerations before starting Fasenra Pen treatment.
Who Should Not Take Fasenra Pen
Do not use Fasenra Pen if you are allergic to benralizumab or any ingredients in the medicine. Do not use it to treat sudden asthma attacks – you will still need your rescue inhaler for acute symptoms.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have or have had an infection caused by parasites (like parasitic worms) or if you live in or are traveling to areas where parasitic infections are common, as this medicine may weaken your ability to fight certain parasitic infections. Any parasitic infection should be treated before starting Fasenra Pen.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known whether Fasenra Pen can pass into breast milk or what effects it may have on pregnant women or unborn babies.
Drug Interactions
Tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and supplements.
- Fasenra Pen has been used safely with other commonly used asthma and EGPA medicines
- Do not suddenly stop other medicines when starting Fasenra Pen
- Some medicines, especially corticosteroids, must be stopped gradually under medical supervision
Alcohol & Driving
Fasenra Pen is not expected to affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Fasenra Pen should not impair your ability to drive a car or use machines safely.
Storage
Keep Fasenra Pen in the refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C. Do not freeze, shake, or expose to heat. Keep it sealed in the original package to protect from light. Fasenra Pen may be kept at room temperature up to 25°C for no more than 14 days, then must be used or discarded. Write the date it was removed from the refrigerator on the carton. Keep out of reach of children.
Overdose Information
If you think you or someone else has received too much Fasenra Pen, contact your doctor immediately, call the Poisons Information Centre in Australia (13 11 26) or National Poisons Centre in New Zealand (0800 POISON or 0800 764 766), or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fasenra Pen helps control your condition over time. For asthma, you’ll receive injections every 4 weeks for the first 3 doses, then every 8 weeks. Your doctor will monitor your progress to see how well it’s working for you.
No, do not stop taking or reduce the dose of your other asthma medicines unless your doctor advises you to. Fasenra Pen is used together with your regular asthma medicines, not as a replacement.
No, Fasenra Pen should not be used to treat acute asthma symptoms like sudden asthma attacks. You will still need your rescue inhaler for emergency situations.
Call your doctor or nurse immediately or go straight to the emergency department if you have symptoms of an allergic reaction such as rash, swelling, difficulty breathing, or dizziness. Allergic reactions can occur within minutes, hours, or even days after injection.
Yes, but keep it refrigerated when possible. Fasenra Pen can be kept at room temperature up to 25°C for no more than 14 days during travel, then must be used or discarded.
Tell your surgeon or anesthetist that you are using Fasenra Pen if you are having surgery, as it may affect other medicines used during the procedure.
Do not stop using Fasenra Pen unless your doctor advises you to. Interrupting or stopping treatment may cause your symptoms and flare-ups to return or become more frequent.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.