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Mepolizumab - Indications, Dosage, Side Effects and Precautions

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Information about Mepolizumab

Generic Name : Mepolizumab
Up-to-date prescription details regarding Mepolizumab are provided here.

Pronunciation : me-poe-LIZ-ue-mab

Learn the correct pronunciation of the Mepolizumab, understand it's uses, recommended dosages, its indications, how to take, when to take, when not to take, side effects, special precautions, warnings and its and its storage instructions.
You will also find a list of the medication's International and Indian brand or trade names, as well as its pricing information. For verification of the information presented on this page or for additional clarifications, it's advisable to consult your doctor.


Therapeutic Classification : Monoclonal antibodies

Trade Names/Brand Names of Mepolizumab

International :


Nucala 100mg/vial

Overview of Mepolizumab

Mepolizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody which is used along with other medications to treat eosinophilic asthma.

Why is Mepolizumab Prescribed? (Indications)

Mepolizumab is a monoclonal antibody used as an add-on maintenance treatment for treating patients with severe eosinophilic asthma. Eosinophilic asthma is a type of asthma where the number of white blood cells called eosinophils is high in the respiratory tract.
The asthma can be severe and sometimes non-responsive to steroids.

Mepolizumab is an interleukin-5 antagonist. It blocks the binding of interleukin-5 (a molecule produced by immune cells) to the eosinophils and thereby reduces the production, maturation, and circulation of the eosinophils.

It is prescribed only for adults and children 12 years older.

When should Mepolizumab not be taken? (Contraindications)

Mepolizumab should not be used in:

• Patients with allergy to the medication
• The treatment of other eosinophilic disorders
• Acute bronchospasm (narrowing of the airway) or status asthmaticus (a severe asthmatic condition)
• Children below 12 years of age

What is the dosage of Mepolizumab?

• The recommended dosage is 100 mg to be injected subcutaneously (just under the skin) in the upper arm, thigh or abdomen.
• The injection should be used only once in every four weeks.

How should Mepolizumab be taken?

• Mepolizumab comes in a powder form which has to be mixed with the sterile water for injection before using it.

Specific instructions are provided by the manufacturer for the reconstitution:
• The reconstitution (mixing drug powder with sterile water for injection) is usually completed in 5 minutes.
• Care should be taken that the solution should not be shaken during reconstitution as it may result in foaming or precipitation.

What are the warnings and precautions for Mepolizumab?

• Mepolizumab must be discontinued when allergic reactions such as itching, angioedema (swelling of the area under the skin), bronchospasm and decrease in blood pressure occur.

Chicken pox vaccine can be considered in certain patients before starting the drug therapy because herpes zoster infections could occur during the treatment.

• Patients must be treated for parasitic infections before the treatment with mepolizumab. If patients do not respond to anti-parasitic treatment when they get infected during the mepolizumab treatment, mepolizumab treatment to be stopped until the parasite infection resolves.

Corticosteroids (oral or inhaled) should not be withdrawn suddenly during the mepolizumab treatment; the only gradual decrease of corticosteroids is advised if necessary.

What are the side effects of Mepolizumab?

Gastrointestinal: Pain in the stomach
Central Nervous System: Dizziness, headache
Respiratory: Influenza (a highly communicable viral disease caused by influenza virus which spreads through the air from coughing or sneezing)
Skin: Itchy skin, eczema, and injection site reaction with swelling, pain, redness and burning feeling at the injection site
Musculoskeletal: Muscle pain, backpain and severe weakness
Allergic reactions: Severe allergic reaction like angioedema (swelling under the skin), low blood pressure and bronchospasm may occur
Herpes zoster infection: Shingles could appear in some cases

What are the other precautions for Mepolizumab?

• Patients should take medical advice if the asthma is not controlled during the drug treatment.
• The reconstituted solution must be checked visually for any particles or clarity.

What are the Drug Interactions of Mepolizumab?

• There are no currently known drug interactions with mepolizumab.
• However, caution is advised while using it with other medications.

What are the storage conditions for Mepolizumab?

• Store the vials below 25 °C. Do not freeze and protect from light.
• After reconstitution, the solution should be stored at room temperature below 30°C for up to 8 hours and should not be frozen.
• The remaining solution should be discarded after 8 hours from the time of mixing.
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