Patient Information Leaflet
Fasenra 30mg pre-filled syringe solution for injection
benralizumab
Read this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine, because it contains important information for you.
Whatis Fasenra
Fasenra contains the active ingredient benralizumab,which is a monoclonal antibody, that is, a type of protein that recognizes and binds to a specific substance in the body. The target of benralizumab is a protein called interleukin‑5 receptor, which is particularly found in a type of white blood cell called eosinophil.
What is Fasenra used for
Asthma
Fasenra is used to treatsevere eosinophilic asthmain adults. Severe eosinophilic asthma is a type of asthma in which patients have too many eosinophils in the blood or lungs.
Fasenra is used in combination with other medications to treat asthma (high doses of «inhaled corticosteroids» plus other asthma medications) when the disease is not well controlled by those other medications alone.
Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA)
Fasenra is used to treat EGPA in adults. EGPA is a disease in which people have too many eosinophils in the blood and tissues and also have some form of vasculitis. This means that there is inflammation of the blood vessels. This disease most often affects the lungs and paranasal sinuses, but often affects other organs such as the skin, heart, and kidneys.
How Fasenra works
Eosinophils are white blood cells involved in the inflammation of asthma and EGPA. By binding to eosinophils, Fasenra helps to reduce their frequency and inflammation.
Benefits of using Fasenra
Asthma
Fasenra may reduce the frequency of asthma attacks you are experiencing, helping you to breathe better and reducing your asthma symptoms. If you are using medications called «oral corticosteroids», the use of Fasenra may also allow you to decrease your daily dose or discontinue the oral corticosteroid treatment you need to control your asthma.
EGPA
Fasenra may reduce symptoms and prevent EGPA flare-ups. This medication may also allow you to decrease your daily dose of oral corticosteroids that you need to control symptoms.
Do not use Fasenra:
Warnings and precautions
Consult your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before using Fasenra:
Also, consult your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are receiving Fasenra:
Fasenrais not a rescue medication.Do not use it to treat a sudden asthma attack.
Be aware of signs of severe allergic reactions
Fasenra may potentially cause severe allergic reactions. You should be aware of the signs of these reactions (such as hives, skin rash, difficulty breathing, dizziness, discomfort, feeling dizzy and/or swelling of the face, tongue or mouth) while receiving Fasenra.
It is essential that you consult with your doctor about how to recognize early symptoms of severe allergic reactions and how to manage them if they occur.
To improve the traceability of biologic medications, note the name and batch number included on the outer packaging and on the pre-filled syringe label each time you receive a new package of Fasenra and provide this information when reporting any adverse effects.
Other asthma or GEPA medications
Do not suddenly stopor change the dose of your other medications for your disease when starting Fasenra.
If your response to treatment allows, your doctor may try to reduce the dose of some of these medications, especially those called "corticosteroids". This should be done gradually and under the direct supervision of your doctor
Inform your doctorif you are using, have used recently or may need to use any other medication before using Fasenra.
Children and adolescents
Do not administer this medication to children under 18 years of age because the safety and benefits of this medication in this population are unknown.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or intend to become pregnant,consult your doctorbefore using this medication.
Do not use Fasenra if you are pregnant unless your doctor tells you otherwise. The safety of Fasenra for the fetus is unknown.
The components of Fasenra may pass into breast milk.Speak with your doctorif you are breastfeeding or plan to do so.
Driving and operating machinery
Fasenra is unlikely to affect your ability to drive and use machines.
Fasenra contains polysorbate 20
This medication contains 0.06mg of polysorbate20 (of vegetable origin) in each pre-filled syringe of 30mg. Polysorbates may cause allergic reactions. Inform your doctor if you have any known allergies.
Use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you to. If you are unsure, consult your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
Asthma
The recommended doseis a 30mg injection. The first 3injections are administered every 4weeks. Subsequently, the injections are 30mg every 8weeks.
GEPA
The recommended doseis a 30mg injection every 4weeks.
Fasenra is administered via a subcutaneous injection. You and your doctor or nurse must decide if you should inject Fasenra yourself. Do not inject Fasenra yourself if you have not received Fasenra previously, or if you have had a previous allergic reaction to Fasenra.
You or your caregiver must receive training on the correct way to inject Fasenra. Read the ‘Instructions for Use’ for the pre-filled syringe carefully before using Fasenra.
Ifyou forget to use Fasenra
If you have forgotten to inject a dose of Fasenra, speak with your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse as soon as possible.
Ifyou interrupt the treatment with Fasenra
Do not interrupt the treatment with Fasenra unless your doctor recommends it. Stopping or suspending treatment with Fasenra may cause your symptoms to return and asthma exacerbations to occur.
If your asthma symptoms worsen while receiving Fasenra injections,speak with your doctor.
If you have any other questions about using this medicine, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse.
Like all medications, this medication may produce adverse effects, although not everyone will experience them.
Severe Allergic Reactions
Seek medical attention immediatelyif you think you are having an allergic reaction. Such reactions can occur hours or days after the injection.
Unknown Frequency(cannot be estimated from available data):
•anaphylaxis
The usual symptoms include:
oswelling in the face, tongue, or mouth
obreathing difficulties
olightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting (due to a drop in blood pressure)
Common(may affectup to 1 in 10 people)
Other Adverse Effects
Common(may affectup to1 in 10people)
Reporting Adverse Effects
If you experience any type of adverse effect, consult your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse,even if it is a possible adverse effect not listed in this prospectus. You can also report them directly through thenational notification system included in theAppendix V. By reporting adverse effects, you can contribute to providing more information about the safety of this medication.
Keep this medication out of the sight and reach of children.
Fasenra is for single use only.
Do not use this medication after the expiration date that appears on the label and on the box after ‘EXP/CAD’. The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated.
Store in the original packaging to protect it from light.
Store in the refrigerator (between 2°C and 8°C).
The syringe can be stored at room temperature up to 25°C for a maximum of 14 days. After removing it from the refrigerator, Fasenra must be used within 14 days or discarded, and the disposal date must be written on the box.
Do not shake, freeze, or expose to heat.
Medications should not be disposed of through drains. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of the packaging and medications you no longer need. This will help protect the environment.
Compositionof Fasenra
The active ingredient is benralizumab. A pre-filled syringe of 1ml solution contains 30mg of benralizumab.
The other components are histidine, histidine hydrochloride monohydrate, trehalose dihydrate, polisorbate20 (E432) and water for injection.
Appearance of the product and contents of the pack
Fasenra is a solution in a transparent glass syringe. Its color varies between colorless and yellow. It may contain particles.
Fasenra is available in a pack containing 1 pre-filled syringe.
Marketing Authorization Holder
AstraZeneca AB
SE‑151 85 Södertälje
Sweden
Responsible for manufacturing
AstraZeneca AB
Gärtunavägen
SE-152 57 Södertälje
Sweden
MedImmune UK Ltd
6 Renaissance Way
Liverpool, L24 9JW
United Kingdom
AstraZeneca Nijmegen B.V., Nijmegen
Lagelandseweg 78
Nijmegen, 6545CG
Netherlands
For more information about this medicine, please contact the local representative of the marketing authorization holder:
België/Belgique/Belgien AstraZeneca S.A./N.V. Tel: +32 2 370 48 11 | Lietuva UAB AstraZenecaLietuva Tel: +370 5 2660550 | ||
Luxembourg/Luxemburg AstraZeneca S.A./N.V. Tél/Tel: +32 2 370 48 11 | |||
Ceská republika AstraZeneca Czech Republic s.r.o. Tel:+420 222 807 111 | Magyarország AstraZeneca Kft. Tel.: +36 1 883 6500 | ||
Danmark AstraZeneca A/S Tlf.: +45 43 66 64 62 | Malta Associated Drug Co. Ltd Tel: +356 2277 8000 | ||
Deutschland AstraZeneca GmbH Tel: +49 40 809034100 | Nederland AstraZeneca BV Tel: +31 85 808 9900 | ||
Eesti AstraZeneca Tel: +372 6549 600 | Norge AstraZeneca AS Tlf: +47 21 00 64 00 | ||
Ελλ?δα AstraZeneca A.E. Τηλ: +30 210 6871500 | Österreich AstraZeneca Österreich GmbH Tel: +43 1 711 31 0 | ||
España AstraZeneca Farmacéutica Spain, S.A. Tel: +34 91 301 91 00 | Polska AstraZeneca Pharma Poland Sp. z o.o. Tel.: +48 22245 73 00 | ||
France AstraZeneca Tél: +33 1 41 29 40 00 | Portugal AstraZeneca Produtos Farmacêuticos, Lda. Tel: +351 21 434 61 00 | ||
Hrvatska AstraZeneca d.o.o. Tel: +385 1 4628 000 | România AstraZeneca Pharma SRL Tel: +40 21 317 60 41 | ||
Ireland AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals (Ireland) DAC Tel: +353 1609 7100 | Slovenija AstraZeneca UK Limited Tel: +386 1 51 35 600 | ||
Ísland Vistor hf. Sími: +354 535 7000 | Slovenská republika AstraZeneca AB, o.z. Tel: +421 2 5737 7777 | ||
Italia AstraZeneca S.p.A. Tel: +39 02 00704500 | Suomi/Finland AstraZeneca Oy Puh/Tel: +358 10 23 010 | ||
Κ?προς Αλ?κτωρΦαρµακευτικ?Λτδ Τηλ: +357 22490305 | Sverige AstraZeneca AB Tel: +46 8 553 26000 | ||
Latvija SIA AstraZeneca Latvija Tel: +371 67377100 | United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) AstraZeneca UK Ltd Tel: +44 1582 836836 |
Last update of this leaflet:
The detailed information about this medicine is available on the website of the European Medicines Agency:https://www.ema.europa.eu.
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Instructions for use
Fasenra 30mg solution for injection in a pre-filled syringe
benralizumab
For subcutaneous injection
Pre-filled syringe for single use
Before starting to use Fasenra pre-filled syringe, a healthcare professional should teach you or your caregiver how to use it correctly.
Read these “Instructions for use” before starting to use Fasenra pre-filled syringe and each time you have to administer a new injection.This information does not replace a consultation with your healthcare professional about your disease or treatment.
If you or your caregiver has any doubts, consult your healthcare professional.
Important information
Keep Fasenra in a refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C in its carton until you are ready to use it.Fasenra can be kept at room temperature up to 25°C for a maximum of 14 days. After removal from the refrigerator, Fasenra should be used within 14 days or discarded.
Do not useyourFasenra pre-filled syringe if:
| Do not:
|
If any of the above occurs, discard the syringe and use a new one.
Each Fasenra pre-filled syringe contains one dose of Fasenra which is for single use only.
Keep Fasenra and all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
Your Fasenra pre-filled syringe
Do not removethe needle cap until you have reached step 6 and are ready to inject Fasenra.
Do not touchthe activation clips of the needle guard to avoid activating the safety device (needle guard) too soon.
Activation clips of the needle guard | Body of the syringe | Expiry date label | Needle cap | |||
Tip of the plunger | ||||||
Plunger | Thumb grip | View window | Needle |
Step 1 – Gather the materials
(See step 9 – Dispose of the used syringe)
Fasenra pre-filled syringe | Alcohol wipe | Cotton ball or gauze | Sharps container |
Step2 – Prepare to use your Fasenra pre-filled syringe | |
Check the expiry date (EXP).Do not use it if the expiry date has passed. Before administration, let the syringe reach room temperature of 20°C to 25°C by leaving the carton out of the refrigerator for approximately 30minutes. Do notheat the syringe in any other way. For example, do not heat it in a microwave or with warm water or place it near heat sources. Use Fasenra within 14 days after removal from the refrigerator. |
Step 3 – Check the liquid | |
Hold the body of the syringe(notthe plunger) to remove the syringe. Observe the liquid through the view window.The liquid should be clear and colorless to yellow. It may contain small white particles. Do notinject Fasenra if the liquid is cloudy, discolored or contains large particles. You may see a small air bubble in the liquid. This is normal. You do not need to do anything about it. |
Step 4 – Choose the injection site | |
The recommended injection site is the front of the thigh. You can also use the lower abdomen. Do notinject:
A caregiver can inject it in the upper arm, thigh or abdomen.Do nottry to inject it yourself in the upper arm. For each injection, choose a different site, separated by at least 3 cm from the previous injection site. |
Step 5 – Clean the injection site | |
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Clean the injection site with an alcohol wipe in a circular motion. Let it dry. Do nottouch the cleaned area before injection. Do notfan or blow on the cleaned area. |
Step 6 – Remove the needle cap | |
Hold the syringe with one hand, and carefully pull the needle cap off with the other hand. Do nothold the plunger or the tip of the plunger while removing the needle cap. Put the needle cap aside to throw it away later. You may see a drop of liquid at the end of the needle. This is normal. Do notuse the syringe if it has fallen off without the needle cap in place or if the needle is damaged or dirty. Do nottouch the needle or let it touch any surface. Continue with the next steps without pause. |
Step 7 – Inject Fasenra | |
Hold the pre-filled syringe with one hand, as shown in the figure. Use the other hand to gently pinch and hold the skin where you want to inject. This creates a firmer surface. Do notpush the plunger until the needle is fully inserted into the skin. Do notpull the plunger back at any time. Inject Fasenra following the steps in figuresa,bandc. |
Make a quick movement, like a dart, to insert the needle into the pinched skin. Insert the needle at a 45degree angle. | Use your thumb to push the tip of the plunger. Continue pushing the plunger until it reaches the bottom. This is to ensure that all the medication has been injected. | Keep your thumb pushing the tip of the plunger while removing the needle from the skin. Stop applying pressure on the plunger slightly until the activation clips of the needle guard cover the needle. |
Step 8 – Check the injection site | |
You may see a small amount of blood or liquid where you injected. This is normal. Gently press on the skin with a cotton ball or gauze until the bleeding stops. Do notrub the injection site. If necessary, cover the injection site with a small dressing. |
Step 9 – Dispose of the used syringe | |
Do notthrow the syringe in your household waste. Do notrecap the syringe. Throw the needle cap and any other used materials in your household waste. | |
Waste disposal guide Dispose of the container as a whole according to the instructions of your healthcare professional or pharmacist. Do notrecycle your sharps container. |
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