Mepolizumab

Pronounced

"ME-poe-LIZ-ue-mab"

Common brand names:

Nucala

Uses

This medication is used along with other medications to control and prevent symptoms (such as wheezing and shortness of breath) caused by asthma. Controlling symptoms of asthma helps you do your normal activities and decreases time lost from work or school. Mepolizumab is also used to treat certain other immune system disorders (chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, hypereosinophilic syndrome). This medication works by decreasing a certain type of white blood cell (eosinophils). This effect helps reduce swelling (inflammation) of the airways to make breathing easier. It may also help reduce the size of nasal polyps, and lessen symptoms such as runny/stuffy nose, mucus in the throat, loss of smell, facial pain, and tiredness.

This medication must be used regularly to be effective. It does not work right away and should not be used to relieve sudden asthma attacks or breathing problems. If an asthma attack occurs, use your quick-relief inhaler as prescribed.

How to Use This Medication

Read the Patient Information Leaflet and Instructions for Use if available from your pharmacist before you start using mepolizumab and each time you get a refill. Ask your health care professional how to prepare and use this medication. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Inject this medication under the skin as directed by your doctor, usually once every 4 weeks. The injection is given in the upper arm, thigh, or abdomen. The dosage is based on your age, medical condition, and response to treatment.

If you are using the syringe/autoinjector, take it out of the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before you inject it to allow it to reach room temperature. Do not warm up this medication any other way (for example, do not heat it in the microwave or place it in hot water). Do not shake the medication. Before using, check this product for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid. Before injecting each dose, clean the skin you are going to inject into (the injection site) with rubbing alcohol. Change the injection site each time to lessen injury under the skin. Do not inject into skin that is tender, bruised, red, or hard. To lessen bruising, do not rub the injection site after a shot. Learn how to store and discard medical supplies safely.

If you are regularly using a corticosteroid medication, you should not stop using it unless directed by your doctor. Some conditions (such as asthma, allergies) may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped. If you suddenly stop using the corticosteroid medication, you may also have withdrawal symptoms (such as weakness, weight loss, nausea, muscle pain, headache, tiredness, dizziness). To help prevent withdrawal, your doctor may slowly lower the dose of your corticosteroid medication after you begin using mepolizumab. Tell your doctor or pharmacist right away if you have withdrawal.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, mark your calendar when you need to use it each month.

Tell your doctor if your condition does not get better or if it gets worse.

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