Humanized monoclonal antibody iagainst interleukin-5 that selectively inhibits eosinophilic inflammation, and reduces the number of eosinophils in sputum and blood.
Reduces the number of exacerbations and the need for treatment with systemic glucocorticoids in severe asthma.
Trade name Nacala.
When administered intravenously or subcutaneously significantly reduces asthma exacerbations and improves markers of asthma control (Ortega HG et al).
Monoclonal antibodies against interleukin- 5, when administered intravenously is effective in decreasing both the rate of asthma exacerbations and the maintenance dose of systemic glucocorticoids in the control of asthma in patients with sputum eosinophilia of more than 3%.
Used in severe refractory eosinophilic asthma and decreases the frequency of asthma-related complications, exacerbations, visits to the emergency department, and hospitalizations, by nearly half.
Reduces the need for steroid use in patients with eosinophilic asthma.
Eosinophilic asthma, affects about one third of all people with severe asthma.
Eosinophilic asthma is do inflammation of lung airways caused by molecules released from eosinophils, cells that are stimulated by interleukin (IL)-5.
A humanized monoclonal antibody against IL-5, inhibits eosinophilic airway inflammation.
Patients with signs of eosinophilic airway inflammation, despite regular use of steroids benefit from this treatment.
Anti-IL-5 has a role in allergic as well as in nonallergic eosinophilic asthma.
Useful for the 5% to 10 % of patients with asthma who have severe disease not responding to currently available treatments.
Hypersensitivity possibly related to mepolizumab has been reported.
The most frequently reported adverse events are headache and nasopharyngitis.