Nucala (1579)

What are Nucala, Dupixent and Fasenra?

They are medicines that can help prevent severe asthma symptoms. They also treat other health problems. It may take several months to know if the medicine helps asthma symptoms.

Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell. They can make swelling worse in the lungs of some people with asthma. Our bodies have natural hormones that helps eosinophils grow. These medicines are used to block one of those hormones.

Who should get Nucala, Dupixent or Fasenra?

People with severe asthma, if:

• blood test show many eosinophils.
• not well controlled with current medicines being taken as they should be.

People with nasal polyps causing sinus infections or moderate to severe eczema. This is if they are not well controlled with current medicines taken as they should be.

People with:

• hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) or
• eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA).

Who may have special risks?

People who:

• will travel to countries with a risk for parasite infections.
• are pregnant or plan to get pregnant.
• have never had chickenpox (varicella) or the chickenpox vaccine.
• take a medicine not yet studied with Nucala, Dupixent, or Fasenra.

Who should not get these medicines?

People who:

• are allergic to them or any of their ingredients.
• have asthma with few eosinophils on a blood test.
• have a known or possible parasite infection.

How is it given?

Shots are given in the upper arm, upper leg, or abdomen. Some may be able to take the shot at home. These medicines are designed to make taking or giving the shot easier.

The health care provider will decide:

• The number of shots for each dose
• How often the medicine is needed.
• How long the medicine is needed.
• If it can be given at home.
• If other asthma or allergy medicines should be continued.

What are the side effects?

• Pain or irritation at the site of the shot.
• More severe infections caused by parasites.
• Shingles or chicken pox infections.
• Dupixent: redness around the eyes.
• Risks of the medicine that are not yet known. This may include an allergic reaction to the medicine

Important Information

• Talk with the provider if pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or are nursing.
• Check with your health care provider before starting any new medicine.