Drug Action
Reslizumab is a humanised monoclonal antibody that interferes with interleukin-5 receptor binding, thereby reducing the survival and activity of eosinophils. Respiratory system
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Drug reference
Reslizumab is a humanised monoclonal antibody that interferes with interleukin-5 receptor binding, thereby reducing the survival and activity of eosinophils. Respiratory system
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Severe eosinophilic asthma (adjunctive therapy when inadequately controlled by high-dose corticosteroids plus another standard treatment) (specialist use only) ▶BY INTRAVENOUS INFUSION ▶Adult: (consult product literature)
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▶The half-life of reslizumab is approx. 24 days.
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Hypersensitivity reactions. pre-existing helminth infection CAUTIONS, FURTHER INFORMATION ▶Helminth infection Manufacturer advises to treat pre- existing helminth infections before starting reslizumab— consider temporarily discontinuing reslizumab if patient becomes infected during therapy and does not respond to anti-helminth treatment. ▶Hypersensitivity reactions Serious hypersensitivity reactions, including life-threatening anaphylaxis, can occur and manufacturer advises to monitor closely during treatment and for at least 20 minutes after completion of infusion; in the event of a hypersensitivity reaction, treatment should be permanently discontinued.
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NICE decisions ▶Reslizumab for treating severe eosinophilic asthma (October 2017) NICE TA479 Reslizumab, as an add-on therapy, is recommended as an option for the treatment of severe eosinophilic asthma that is inadequately controlled in adults despite maintenance therapy with high-dose inhaled corticosteroids plus another drug, only if: . the blood eosinophil count has been recorded as 400 cells per microlitre or more, and . the person has had 3 or more severe asthma exacerbations needing systemic corticosteroids in the past 12 months, and . the manufacturer provides reslizumab with the discount agreed in the patient access scheme. At 12 months, stop reslizumab if the asthma has not responded adequately or continue reslizumab if the asthma has responded adequately and assess response each year. Patients whose treatment was started within the NHS before this guidance was published should have the option to continue treatment, without change to their funding arrangements, until they and their NHS clinician consider it appropriate to stop. www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta479 Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) decisions Respiratory system The Scottish Medicines Consortium has advised (December 2017) that reslizumab (Cinqaero ®) is not recommended for use within NHS Scotland as add-on therapy in adults with severe eosinophilic asthma inadequately controlled with high-dose inhaled corticosteroids plus another medicinal product for maintenance treatment, as the economic case was not demonstrated.
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▶Uncommon Anaphylactic reaction. myalgia ▶Frequency not known Secondary malignancy
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Manufacturer advises avoid—limited information available.
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Manufacturer advises avoid during first few days after birth—risk of transfer of antibodies to infant cannot be excluded; present in milk in animal studies.
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For intravenous infusion, manufacturer advises give intermittently in Sodium chloride 0.9%; administer over 20–50 minutes through an in-line 0.2 micron filter. l HANDLING AND STORAGE Manufacturer advises store in a refrigerator (2–8°C); consult product literature for storage conditions after preparation of infusion.
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There can be variation in the licensing of different medicines containing the same drug. Solution for infusion EXCIPIENTS: May contain Sucrose ▶Cinqaero (Teva UK Ltd) A Reslizumab 10 mg per 1 ml Cinqaero 100mg/10ml concentrate for solution for infusion vials | 1 vial P £499.99 Cinqaero 25mg/2.5ml concentrate for solution for infusion vials | 1 vial P £124.99 LEUKOTRIENE RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS
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Manufacturer advises patients and their carers should be instructed to seek medical advice if their asthma remains uncontrolled or if symptoms worsen after initiation of treatment.
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(consult product literature)
First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.
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