Tag: Benralizumab

As of late 2025, there is no generic for Fasenra injection, because it is a biologic medication, not a traditional chemical drug. Instead of generics, complex biologics like Fasenra (benralizumab) may one day have "biosimilars," but these are not yet approved.

While Fasenra (benralizumab) is an effective add-on maintenance treatment for severe eosinophilic asthma and EGPA, it is not without its challenges. A significant reported issue is its high cost, with some patients citing a major financial burden despite effective symptom control. Furthermore, like all medications, it carries a risk of side effects, ranging from common, mild reactions to rare, serious allergic responses.

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, biologics like benralizumab represent a significant shift in managing severe asthma. In addressing the question: **Is benralizumab an immunotherapy?** the answer is complex, as it is a specialized biologic that modulates the immune system but is distinct from classical allergen immunotherapy.

Approved by the FDA in 2017, benralizumab is a biologic medication designed for the add-on maintenance treatment of severe eosinophilic asthma. This article explains **what class of drug is benralizumab** and its unique mechanism of targeting the interleukin-5 (IL-5) receptor to reduce eosinophil-driven inflammation.

First approved by the FDA in 2017, benralizumab is a biologic medication known as a monoclonal antibody. This targeted treatment is specifically used for certain severe inflammatory conditions, primarily severe eosinophilic asthma and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), that are driven by high levels of eosinophils in the body.

For decades, vasculitis treatment relied heavily on broad immunosuppressants, often with severe side effects from long-term steroid use. In recent years, newer, more targeted medicines like avacopan for ANCA-associated vasculitis and benralizumab for EGPA have revolutionized therapy by offering a steroid-sparing approach. These advances provide hope for a future with more personalized and effective treatments and better quality of life for patients.