Benlysta, also known by its generic name belimumab, is a medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat:
- Active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
- Active lupus nephritis
- Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE)
How It Works
- Class: Biological monoclonal antibodies
- Mechanism: Reduces the Show Full Answer
Benlysta, also known by its generic name belimumab, is a medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat:
- Active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
- Active lupus nephritis
- Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE)
How It Works:
- Class: Biological monoclonal antibodies
- Mechanism: Reduces the number of B-lymphocytes, white blood cells that contribute to autoimmune attacks in lupus.
Administration:
- Intravenous (IV) Infusion: For people 5 years and older. Administered at two-week intervals for the first three doses, then every four weeks.
- Subcutaneous Injection: For adults 18 and older. Usually taken once weekly.
Side Effects:
- Common: Nausea, diarrhea, fever, stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, cough, trouble sleeping, leg or arm pain, depression, headache, and injection site reactions.
- Serious: Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (a type of brain infection), certain cancers, and severe allergic reactions.
Additional Notes:
- IV doses should be administered by a healthcare professional to manage potential anaphylaxis.
- Subcutaneous injections can be self-administered using an autoinjector or prefilled syringe.
For more detailed information, you can refer to the provided resources:
- [Benlysta (Belimumab) for Lupus | MyLupusTeam](https://www.mylupusteam.com/treatments/benlysta)
- [Benlysta Infusion vs. Injection: 3 Differences To Note | MyLupusTeam](https://www.mylupusteam.com/resources/benlysta-...)
July 19, 2024
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