Benlysta (Belimumab) for Lupus

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Benlysta (belimumab) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) used with the standard therapy to treat people 5 years of age and older with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis (LN).

What Members Say

MHT logo These insights are based on 11,033 comments about Benlysta from MyLupusTeam members. These are the experiences of a small number of people and are not meant to be medical advice.

Benefits:

Joint pain, swelling, and flares often become more manageable.
Kidney labs and lupus nephritis stability can improve with ongoing treatment.
At-home self-injection avoids infusion center visits.

Considerations:

Full benefit often takes several months.
Depression and suicidal thoughts can occur.
Serious infections and allergic reactions are important risks.

How Benlysta Works and How It’s Taken

Benlysta is a biologic medicine. It blocks BLyS, a protein that helps B cells survive. By blocking BLyS, Benlysta lowers the survival of B cells, including B cells that may be involved in lupus.

Doctors prescribe Benlysta with standard therapy in people 5 years of age and older who have active SLE or active LN.

Benlysta is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion. The infusion takes about one hour. It is given every two weeks for the first three doses and then every four weeks.

Benlysta can also be injected under the skin of the abdomen or thigh. Some people or caregivers may give these injections after proper training.

Benlysta may be prescribed as a single-dose autoinjector or as a single-dose prefilled syringe.

The single-dose autoinjector is for use in adults and children 5 years of age and older.
The single-dose prefilled syringe is for use in adults 18 years of age and older.

Benlysta is available as a single-dose autoinjector or a single-dose prefilled syringe. The autoinjector may be used in adults and children 5 years of age and older. The prefilled syringe is for adults 18 years of age and older.

For children younger than 10 years, Benlysta must be given by a healthcare professional or trained caregiver. Use Benlysta on the same day each week or every two weeks, as directed.

Typical Dosing for Lupus

For active SLE or active LN, the IV dose is 10 milligrams per kilogram every two weeks for the first three doses and then every four weeks.

Before an IV infusion, a healthcare provider may give medicines to help prevent infusion reactions or allergic reactions.

For active SLE given under the skin:

Adults receive 200 milligrams once weekly.
Children weighing at least 40 kilograms receive 200 milligrams once weekly.
Children weighing 15 kilograms to less than 40 kilograms receive 200 milligrams once every two weeks.

For active LN given under the skin:

Adults and children weighing at least 40 kilograms receive 400 milligrams once weekly for four doses, followed by 200 milligrams once weekly.
Children weighing 15 kilograms to less than 40 kilograms receive 200 milligrams once weekly for four doses, followed by 200 milligrams once every two weeks.

This information is based on the prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their guidance.

Top Advice From Members on Benlysta

MHT logo These insights are based on 11,033 comments about Benlysta from MyLupusTeam members.

Members who use Benlysta often say it helps to set realistic expectations, stay in close contact with your care team, and pay attention to how you feel between doses. Many also share practical tips for handling treatment days, side effects, and the cost or logistics of getting the medication.

1

Be patient. Give Benlysta time to work.
“It took about three months before I could really feel the difference for the better, but it definitely has helped to control my SLE.”
2

Keep your dosing schedule as consistent as possible.
“I was out of my Benlysta for like three weeks. In the meantime that I didn’t have my Benlysta, I started a lupus flare.”
3

Track side effects and tell your doctor about new reactions.
“The minute I started feeling my depression change I got in front of it and contacted my GP and rheumatologist.”

Connect with others who understand life with lupus. Join MyLupusTeam for free.

Benlysta Side Effects

In clinical studies of Benlysta for active SLE and LN in people ages 5 years and older who were receiving standard therapy, the most common side effects occurred in at least 5 percent of people. Side-effect rates may differ by study, age group, condition, and how Benlysta is given.

Nausea
Diarrhea
Fever
Nasopharyngitis (stuffy or runny nose and sore throat)
Bronchitis (infection or inflammation of the airways in the lungs)
Insomnia (trouble sleeping)
Arm or leg pain
Depression
Migraine (a type of headache)
Pharyngitis (sore throat)
Injection site reactions (pain, redness or skin discoloration, itching, or swelling where the shot is given)

Serious Side Effects and Warnings

Benlysta can cause serious side effects that may require immediate medical attention. These include:

Serious infections — Your body may have a harder time fighting infections, and some infections can be fatal.
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) — PML is a serious brain infection that can cause new or worsening neurologic symptoms, such as confusion, trouble walking, or vision changes.
Hypersensitivity including anaphylaxis — A life-threatening allergic reaction that can cause swelling, trouble breathing, dizziness or fainting, or low blood pressure can occur.
Infusion-related reactions — Reactions during or after an IV infusion, such as headache or other symptoms that can overlap with allergic reactions, can occur.
Depression and suicidality — New or worsening depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior, or other unusual mood or behavior changes can occur.
Malignancy — The effect of Benlysta on cancer risk is not known, but immunosuppressive medicines may increase the risk.

Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction. If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 or by using the online chat.

How To Save on Benlysta

GSK, the manufacturer of Benlysta, offers the Benlysta Copay Program. Eligible people with commercial insurance may pay as little as $0.

To learn more, visit the Benlysta Copay Program website or call 800-741-0375.

What To Know Before Taking Benlysta

Do not receive live vaccines for 30 days before starting Benlysta or while taking it. Benlysta may also affect how well vaccines work.

Before you receive Benlysta, tell your healthcare provider if you:

Have an infection or infections that keep coming back
Have or have had depression, suicidal thoughts, or other mental health problems
Recently received a vaccine or may need one
Are allergic to other medicines
Are receiving other biologic medicines or monoclonal antibodies
Have or have had cancer

Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to belimumab or any ingredients in Benlysta. Do not use Benlysta if you have had anaphylaxis, which is a serious allergic reaction, with belimumab.

If you miss a Benlysta injection, take it as soon as you remember. You may then return to your usual schedule or start a new schedule based on the day you took the missed dose. Call your healthcare provider if you are not sure when to take your next dose.

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding while taking Benlysta, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits. If you are able to become pregnant, use effective birth control during treatment and for at least four months after your last dose if pregnancy prevention is needed.

Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant while taking Benlysta.

You may also ask about joining the Benlysta Pregnancy Registry by visiting the registry website or by calling 877-311-8972.

Community FAQs

These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.

How effective is Benlysta for SLE?

In adults with active SLE, Benlysta worked better than placebo when added to standard therapy.

In one clinical study, 43 percent of people taking Benlysta had an SRI-4 response at week 52, compared with 34 percent taking placebo. In another study, 58 percent responded with Benlysta, compared with 44 percent taking placebo. An SRI-4 response means lupus symptoms improved without major worsening in other parts of the disease.

How effective is Benlysta for LN?

In adults with active LN, Benlysta improved kidney-related outcomes when added to standard therapy.

At week 104, 43 percent of people taking Benlysta had a primary kidney response, compared with 32 percent taking placebo. A complete kidney response occurred in 30 percent of people taking Benlysta, compared with 20 percent taking placebo.

People taking Benlysta were also less likely to have a kidney-related event or die during the study.

How long does Benlysta take to work for lupus?

Benlysta does not work at the same speed for everyone.

In studies of active SLE, doctors measured results over 52 to 76 weeks. In LN, they measured results for up to 104 weeks.

Some changes in the immune system happened earlier. Certain B cells and anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies decreased by week 8. Complement C3 and C4 levels increased by week 12.

The clinical study does not give one exact time when every person should expect to feel better.