How does Nucala (mepolizumab) work? What is the MOA?
Nucala (mepolizumab) works by lowering the activity of white blood cells called eosinophils. Too many eosinophils can sometimes lead to inflammation in the body.
Nucala is a monoclonal antibody that blocks a cytokine called interleukin-5 (IL-5). IL-5 plays a role in the growth, activation, and survival of eosinophils. By blocking IL-5, Nucala reduces the number of eosinophils in the body and lowers inflammation.
Nucala is injected under the skin once every 4 weeks for treatment of severe eosinophilic asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, and hypereosinophilic syndrome.
References
Nucala [package insert]. Revised March 2023. GlaxoSmithKline LLC. Accessed 05/29/2024 at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=fefb887c-e4ac-431e-8893-e9d1a5a63fea
Read next
How long does it take for Nucala to work?
Nucala starts working within 48 hours; however, it may take up to 4 weeks before the maximum effect of Nucala is seen for both asthma and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). In asthma, the greatest reductions in eosinophils were seen with higher dosages, for example, a 64% reduction in eosinophils was seen with a 12.5mg SC dose and a 90% reduction was seen with a 250mg SC dose after 48 hours. Continue reading
Can Nucala cause weight gain?
Weight gain has not been reported as a side effect of Nucala during clinical trials. Medications such as corticosteroids that may be used to treat eosinophilic asthma are more likely to cause weight gain. Continue reading
Can Nucala be self-administered? How is it injected?
Yes, Nucala can be self-administered. Nucala is available as a prefilled syringe or autoinjector that can be self-administered after a doctor has shown you how to administer it. 99% of people can successfully self-administer the Nucala prefilled syringe and 89-95% can successfully administer the Nucala autoinjector. Continue reading
Related medical questions
- What is Nucala (mepolizumab) used for and how is it given?
- How long does an asthma attack last?
- Can severe asthma lead to COPD?
- What is considered severe asthma?
- Which measure is the single best determinant of asthma severity?
- How is severe asthma treated?
- Why is asthma worse at night?
- Does Cinqair treat all types of asthma?
- Prednisone: What are 12 Things You Should Know?
- Prednisone vs Prednisolone - What's the difference?
- Can vitamin C prevent or treat COVID-19 (coronavirus)?
- What are the side effects of steroids?
- What is Diprospan used for?
- Can asthma inhalers cause a sore throat?
- What is the difference between Breztri vs Trelegy?
- Trelegy vs. Breo: How does their use and cost compare?
- Is Dupixent an immunosuppressant?
- What is Quercetin and what are its health benefits?
- Does coffee help with asthma?
- Can you drink alcohol on Dupixent?
- How does Dupixent work and what is its mechanism of action?
- Can you take Symbicort and prednisone together?
- Is Wixela Inhub the same as Advair Diskus?
- Can you take Trelegy and Symbicort together?
- Does Feverfew interact with any drugs?
- Why is Breztri not for asthma?
- Does Fasenra weaken your immune system?
- I think I have an allergy to my antibiotic! What can I do to treat my infection?
- How long does Fasenra take to work?
- How does Dupixent help with asthma?
Drug information
Related support groups
- Nucala (7 questions, 19 members)
- Mepolizumab (5 questions, 5 members)
- Asthma (120 questions, 471 members)
- Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (13 questions, 12 members)
- Hypereosinophilic Syndrome (7 questions, 11 members)