Health Library

Mepolizumab (By injection)

Mepolizumab (me-poe-LIZ-ue-mab)

Treats severe asthma, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES), and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP).

Brand Name(s):

Nucala, Nucala Autoinjector, Nucala PFS

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin. It is usually given on the upper arms, stomach, or thigh.
• A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
• You may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• You will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas. Do not inject to skin areas that are tender, bruised, red, or hard.
• Check the liquid in the prefilled syringe or autoinjector. It should be colorless to slightly yellow to slightly brown. Do not use the medicine if the liquid is cloudy, discolored, or has particles in it. Do not shake.
• Allow the medicine to warm to room temperature for about 30 minutes before using it. Do not warm it in any other way. Use the prefilled autoinjector or prefilled syringe within 8 hours after you take it out of the carton.
• Use a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.
• You might not use all of the medicine in each prefilled syringe or autoinjector. Use each prefilled syringe and autoinjector only one time. Do not save an open syringe or autoinjector.
• Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
• If you store this medicine at home, keep it in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. You may also store the unopened medicine at room temperature for up to 7 days. Throw away any unopened medicine if it has been left outside the refrigerator for more than 7 days. Throw away any unused, opened medicine after 8 hours.
• Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have parasite infection.
• This medicine will not stop an asthma attack that has already started. Your doctor may prescribe another medicine for you to use in case of an asthma attack.
• This medicine may lead to herpes zoster infection (shingles). You may receive a vaccine before you start treatment. Tell your doctor if you have not had either chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine.
• If you use a corticosteroid medicine (inhaled or taken by mouth) to control your asthma, keep using it unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
• Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Painful or blistering rash

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Back or joint pain
• Headache
• Pain, itching, burning, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
• Sore throat
• Tiredness

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 9/6/2024