Fasenra (benralizumab) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for certain inflammatory conditions in adults and some children. Fasenra comes as an injection that you give yourself or receive at the doctor’s office.
Fasenra is approved as:
- an add-on treatment for severe eosinophilic asthma in adults and children ages 6 years and older
- a treatment for eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis in adults
Fasenra is a biologic and belongs to a drug class called interleukin-5 (IL-5) antagonist. Fasenra isn’t available in a biosimilar version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Fasenra, including its strengths and how to use the medication. See this other article for a comprehensive look at Fasenra, including more information about Fasenra’s indications (uses).
Note: This article describes typical dosages for Fasenra provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Fasenra, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
Below are details about Fasenra’s dosage for its approved use.
Fasenra forms
Fasenra comes in two forms
- a single-dose prefilled syringe
- a single-dose autoinjector pen
Fasenra strengths
Fasenra prefilled syringes are available in two strengths expressed in milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL): 10 mg/0.5 mL and 30 mg/mL.
Fasenra autoinjector pens come in one strength: 30 mg/mL.
Typical dosages
The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for asthma
Fasenra’s recommended dose for asthma is the same in adults and children ages 12 years and older. The starting or loading dose is 30 mg, given as an injection once every 4 weeks for the first 3 doses. After that, your doctor will adjust your Fasenra dose frequency to 30 mg, which they will give as an injection once every 8 weeks.
Dosage for eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis
Fasenra’s recommended dose for eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis is 30 mg, given as an injection once every 4 weeks.
Children’s dosage
Fasenra is approved for asthma in children ages 6 years and older.
For children ages 6 to 11 years, Fasenra’s dosage is based on the child’s body weight in kilograms (kg). One kg equals about 2.2 pounds (lb). The dosage per kg is measured in milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) and is calculated by your child’s doctor.
The following table lists the typical dosing schedule for children ages 6 to 11.
| Body weight of children ages 6 to 11 | Typical Fasenra dosage |
|---|---|
| Less than 35 kg | 10 mg given as one subcutaneous injection every 4 weeks for the first 3 doses, and then every 8 weeks after that |
| 35 kg or more | 30 mg given as one subcutaneous injection every 4 weeks for the first 3 doses, and then every 8 weeks after that |
For children ages 12 years and older, Fasenra’s recommended dose is the same as the dosage for children who weigh 35 kg or more. See the previous table for details.
Long-term treatment
Fasenra is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Fasenra is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.
Fasenra comes in two forms:
- a single-dose prefilled syringe that’s given by a healthcare professional
- a single-dose autoinjector pen that you or a caregiver can give at home
Both forms of Fasenra are given as a subcutaneous injection in your upper thigh, abdomen, or upper arm. With a subcutaneous injection, the medication is injected under your skin. Avoid injecting Fasenra right around your belly button or in the skin that’s scaly, hard, tender, bruised, scarred, or injured.
If you have questions about how to use Fasenra, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. There’s also a helpful video and step-by-step instructions on the manufacturer’s website.
ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERSSome pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
If you miss your dose of Fasenra, contact your healthcare professional. They’ll give you instructions on what to do next.
To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.
It’s important that you don’t use more Fasenra than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to side effects or overdose.
If you take more than the recommended amount of Fasenra
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Fasenra. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Fasenra for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.
As with any drug, never change your dosage of Fasenra without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Fasenra that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Fasenra. These additional articles might be helpful:
- Drug comparison: Read this other article to find out how Fasenra compares with Nucala.
- Cost: See this article to learn about Fasenra and cost.
- Details about your condition: Check out our asthma & allergies hub for details about asthma.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
