Reslizumab

Reslizumab is used along with other medicines to help manage severe asthma in adults.

Reslizumab works on your immune system by lowering the levels of a specific type of white blood cell that can contribute to asthma symptoms.

Reslizumab may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Before you start treatment with reslizumab, your doctor may do tests to check your white blood cell levels.

Reslizumab is given as an infusion into a vein, usually once every 4 weeks. A healthcare provider will give you this infusion.

This medicine must be given slowly, and the infusion can take 20 to 50 minutes to finish.

You will be monitored closely for a short time after each infusion to ensure you do not have an allergic reaction.

If you are also using a steroid medication, you should not stop taking it suddenly. Follow your doctor's instructions about reducing your dose gradually.

Reslizumab is not a rescue medicine for asthma attacks. Seek medical help if your breathing problems worsen quickly, or if you think your asthma medications are not working as well as they should.

Use all asthma medications as directed. Your dose may need to change due to surgery, illness, stress, or a recent asthma attack. Do not change your dose or dosing schedule without your doctor's advice. Inform your doctor if any of your medicines seem to stop working.

Some people have had allergic reactions to reslizumab during or shortly after the injection. Tell your caregiver if you feel sick to your stomach, dizzy, itchy, or have swelling in your face or trouble breathing.

You should not be treated with reslizumab if you are allergic to it.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had a parasite infection (such as roundworms or tapeworms).

Using reslizumab may increase your risk of developing cancer. Ask your doctor about this risk.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. It is not known whether reslizumab will harm an unborn baby. However, having uncontrolled asthma during pregnancy may cause premature birth, a low birth weight baby, or complications such as eclampsia (dangerously high blood pressure that can lead to medical problems in both mother and baby). The benefit of treating asthma may outweigh any risks to the baby.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using reslizumab. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Some side effects may happen during or shortly after the injection. Tell your caregiver if you feel dizzy, nauseated, light-headed, itchy, short of breath, or if you have swelling in your face.

Common side effects of reslizumab may include:

• sore throat; or
• muscle pain.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Usual Adult Dose for Asthma:

3 mg/kg IV over 20 to 50 minutes every 4 weeksComments:-Do not administer as an IV push or bolus.-The infusion should be discontinued immediately if the patient experiences a severe systemic reaction, including anaphylaxis.Use: For the add-on maintenance treatment of patients with severe asthma with an eosinophilic phenotype

Call your doctor for guidance if you miss an appointment for your reslizumab injection.

Since reslizumab is administered by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to happen.

Follow your doctor's instructions regarding any restrictions on food, drinks, or activities.

Other drugs may affect reslizumab, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.