Formulary
Mepolizumab: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Mepolizumab is a humanised anti-interleukin-5 (anti-IL-5) monoclonal antibody; it reduces the production and survival of eosinophils.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Mepolizumab: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Mepolizumab is a humanised anti-interleukin-5 (anti-IL-5) monoclonal antibody; it reduces the production and survival of eosinophils.
Drug action
Mepolizumab is a humanised anti-interleukin-5 (anti-IL-5) monoclonal antibody; it reduces the production and survival of eosinophils.
Indications and dose
**Add on treatment**
- **Adult** (By Subcutaneous Injection): for severe refractory eosinophilic asthma (under expert supervision) 100 mg every 4 weeks.
**Add on treatment for severe refractory eosinophilic asthma (under expert supervision) for mepolizumab**
- **Child 6-11 years** (By subcutaneous injection): 40 mg every 4 weeks.
- **Child 12-17 years** (By subcutaneous injection): 100 mg every 4 weeks.
Cautions
Helminth infection Cautions, further information Helminth infections Manufacturer advises pre-existing helminth infections should be treated before initiation of therapy; if patients become infected during treatment and do not respond to anti-helminth treatment, consider treatment interruption.
Side effects
Common or very common Abdominal pain upper; administration related reaction; back pain; fever; headache; hypersensitivity; increased risk of infection; nasal congestion; skin reactions Frequency not known Angioedema
Interactions
**Other interactions (2):**
- Cytochrome P450 enzymes, efflux pumps and protein-binding mechanisms are not involved in the clearance of mepolizumab.
- The potential for interactions with mepolizumab is therefore considered low.
Pregnancy
Manufacturer advises avoid unless potential benefit outweighs risk-limited data available.
Breast feeding
Manufacturer advises avoid-present in milk in animal studies.
Medicinal forms
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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