What is biologic therapy for asthma?
Many asthma patients can control asthma with inhaler therapy but some patients with severe asthma have episodes where the asthma gets much worse, even when they use inhalers. Biologics are a kind of medicine that is made by living things, such as animals, plants, or bacteria. Many of these biologics are antibodies, which are proteins that are designed to block specific molecules in the human body.
What are the types of biologic therapy for treating asthma?
Xolair® (omalizumab)
Xolair is a medication for patients with poorly controlled asthma and allergies to year-round allergens like dust mites, pet dander, or cockroach debris. Xolair blocks the antibody that causes an allergic asthma response. Xolair is given as one or two shots under the skin depending on the dose prescribed. It is given every 2 or 4 weeks, depending on the dose prescribed.
Xolair can be administered either in the office, infusion centers or by patients in their homes. You will receive the first three doses of Xolair in clinic due to a risk of an allergic reaction to the medication itself (0.1%). You will be monitored for two hours after the first dose to make sure you do not have a reaction to the medication. You will be monitored for 60 minutes after the second dose and 30 minutes after the third dose. After that, Xolair can be administered at home by yourself or a family member/friend.
Nucala® (mepolizumab)
Nucala is a medication for patients with eosinophilic asthma. Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell that can cause inflammation in the lungs of some patients with asthma. Nucala works by reducing the number of eosinophils in your blood. Nucala is administered as a shot under the skin once every 4 weeks. Nucala can be administered in the home, infusion center or clinic depending on the needs of the patient and insurance coverage.
Cinqair® (reslizumab)
Cinqair is also a medication for patients with eosinophilic asthma. It also works by reducing the number of eosinophils in your blood. Cinqair is administered as an intravenous infusion. It takes about 20 to 50 minutes to receive the infusion. It is given once every 4 weeks. This medication is only given in an infusion center setting.
Fasenra® (benralizumab)
Fasenra is a medication for patients with eosinophilic asthma and works by reducing the number of eosinophils in your blood. Fasenra is administered as a shot under the skin. It is given once every 4 weeks for the first 3 doses, then once every 8 weeks. Fasenra can be administered in the home, infusion center or clinic depending on the needs of the patient and insurance coverage.
Dupixent® (dupilumab)
Dupixent is also a medication for patients with poorly controlled eosinophilic asthma and works by blocking a number of inflammatory cells that affect patients with asthma, including eosinophils. Dupixent is administered as a shot under the skin that is given once every other week. Dupixent can be administered in the home or in the clinic depending on age and the needs of the patient.
Will I still need to take my inhalers?
Yes! It is very important that you continue to take all your other asthma medications and inhalers. Your doctor will tell you if you can decrease the dose of any of your other inhalers over time if your asthma is under good control.