A Treatment Option for Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps
Indication
NUCALA (mepolizumab) is indicated for the add-on maintenance treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) in adult patients 18 years of age and older with inadequate response to nasal corticosteroids.
Important Safety Information
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Known hypersensitivity to mepolizumab or excipients.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Hypersensitivity Reactions
Hypersensitivity reactions (eg, anaphylaxis, angioedema, bronchospasm, hypotension, urticaria, rash) have occurred with NUCALA. These reactions generally occur within hours of administration but can have a delayed onset (ie, days). Discontinue if a hypersensitivity reaction occurs.
Acute Asthma Symptoms or Deteriorating Disease
NUCALA should not be used to treat acute asthma symptoms, acute exacerbations, or acute bronchospasm.
Opportunistic Infections: Herpes Zoster
Herpes zoster infections have occurred in patients receiving NUCALA. Consider vaccination if medically appropriate.
Reduction of Corticosteroid Dosage
Do not discontinue systemic or inhaled corticosteroids abruptly upon initiation of therapy with NUCALA. Decreases in corticosteroid doses, if appropriate, should be gradual and under the direct supervision of a physician. Reduction in corticosteroid dose may be associated with systemic withdrawal symptoms and/or unmask conditions previously suppressed by systemic corticosteroid therapy.
Parasitic (Helminth) Infection
Treat patients with pre-existing helminth infections before initiating therapy with NUCALA. If patients become infected while receiving NUCALA and do not respond to anti-helminth treatment, discontinue NUCALA until infection resolves.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
In patients receiving NUCALA, the most common adverse reactions (≥5%) were oropharyngeal pain and arthralgia.
Systemic reactions, including hypersensitivity, also occurred. Manifestations included urticaria, erythema, and rash; 1 of the 3 reactions occurred on the day of dosing.
Injection site reactions occurred at a rate of 2% in patients receiving NUCALA vs <1% in patients receiving placebo.
USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
The data on pregnancy exposures are insufficient to inform on drug-associated risk. Monoclonal antibodies, such as mepolizumab, are transported across the placenta in a linear fashion as the pregnancy progresses; therefore, potential effects on a fetus are likely to be greater during the second and third trimesters.
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PMUS-MPLWCNT240012 April 2024
Produced in USA.