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How does Nucala (mepolizumab) work? What is the MOA?

Medically reviewed by Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD. Last updated on May 29, 2024.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

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

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