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
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?
- How is severe asthma treated?
- Which measure is the single best determinant of asthma severity?
- 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?
- Trelegy vs. Breo: How does their use and cost compare?
- What is Quercetin and what are its health benefits?
- Does coffee help with asthma?
- 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?
- Does Fasenra weaken your immune system?
- How long does Fasenra take to work?
- How does Dupixent help with asthma?
- What are 5 key Tezspire side effects to watch out for?
- I think I have an allergy to my antibiotic! What can I do to treat my infection?
- What is Fasenra used for and how does it work?
- Is loss of sense of smell a symptom of COVID-19?
- Does Tezspire cause weight gain?
- How is the new Primatene Mist different to the old formulation?
- What drugs are contained in Trelegy Ellipta?
Drug information
Related support groups
- Nucala (7 questions, 19 members)
- Mepolizumab (5 questions, 5 members)
- Asthma (113 questions, 470 members)
- Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (7 questions, 12 members)
- Hypereosinophilic Syndrome (7 questions, 11 members)