Benralizumab

Pronunciation: ben-ra-LIZ-oo-mab.

Generic name
benralizumab
Drug class
Monoclonal antibody (anti-IL-5 receptor alpha)
Form
Pre-filled syringe/pen (30 mg)
Route
Subcutaneous injection
Legal status
Prescription-only, specialist-initiated (respiratory/rheumatology), given by a healthcare professional

Availability and supply rules vary by country

Trade names by country: United States · United Kingdom · Canada · Australia

Australia: Fasenra (4) · Full directory

What benralizumab is and how it works

Benralizumab is a prescription-only injectable biologic that reduces eosinophils, a type of white blood cell that drives inflammation in severe asthma and certain rare inflammatory conditions. (1)

Benralizumab is given as an injection by a healthcare professional, alongside your other regular treatments -- it is not a rescue medicine and does not treat sudden breathing difficulty.

Mechanism of action: how benralizumab works

Benralizumab is a humanised monoclonal antibody that binds the alpha subunit of the IL-5 receptor on eosinophils and basophils, triggering their destruction via antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity -- a more direct depletion mechanism than mepolizumab's IL-5-blocking approach. (1)

What benralizumab is used for

Severe eosinophilic asthma

Used as an add-on maintenance treatment in patients aged 6 and older with severe asthma driven by high eosinophil levels. Not used to treat a sudden asthma attack. (1)

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) and hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES)

Used to treat these rarer conditions involving eosinophil-driven inflammation, in adults (EGPA) or patients 12 and older (HES). (1)

Before taking benralizumab

Do not take / not appropriate for

  • Do not use benralizumab if you have had a serious allergic reaction to it or any of its ingredients. (all countries) (1)

Tell your clinician about

  • Any current or recent parasitic (worm) infection -- this should be treated before starting.
  • Whether you currently take steroid tablets or inhalers -- these should not be stopped suddenly when starting.
  • Any previous allergic reaction to a similar injectable medicine.
  • Pregnancy, plans for pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
(1)

How to take benralizumab

  • Benralizumab is given as an injection under the skin (thigh, abdomen, or upper arm) by a healthcare professional.
  • It does not replace your regular reliever inhaler or other prescribed treatments.
  • Any reduction in your steroid dose should be gradual and supervised by your clinician, not stopped abruptly.
(1)

Procedures and treatment changes

Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (2) (3) (4)

Missed dose

If a dose is missed, contact your healthcare provider to arrange your next dose.

Overdose

Contact your prescriber or seek medical advice if too much benralizumab has been given. (1)

Side effects

Side effects and their urgency vary; report severe, persistent, or concerning symptoms.

Headache and sore throat (asthma).

What to notice: Headache and sore throat (asthma).

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Headache (EGPA).

What to notice: Headache (EGPA).

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Headache, allergic-type reactions, and flu-like illness (HES).

What to notice: Headache, allergic-type reactions, and flu-like illness (HES).

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Serious warnings

Signs of a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) — emergency

Symptoms: Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat; difficulty breathing; widespread rash or hives.

Action: Seek emergency medical help immediately. Your prescriber will decide whether it is safe to continue treatment. (1)

Signs of a parasitic (worm) infection — high caution

Symptoms: Unexplained abdominal pain, diarrhoea, or unusual tiredness.

Action: Tell your prescriber -- any existing parasitic infection should be treated before starting. (1)

Interactions

  • No formal drug interaction studies have been performed, and no interactions are expected. Tell your prescriber about all other medicines you take. (1)

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age

Pregnancy

There is limited human data on benralizumab use in pregnancy. Animal studies at much higher doses than used in humans did not show harm to the developing baby. Discuss with your prescriber if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy. (1) (2) (3) (4)

Breastfeeding

It is not known whether benralizumab passes into human breast milk. Discuss the benefits and risks with your prescriber. (1) (2) (3) (4)

Children

Approved for severe asthma from age 6, and for hypereosinophilic syndrome from age 12; EGPA is for adults only. (1) (2) (3) (4)

Elderly

No specific dose adjustment based on age alone is described in the source reviewed. (1) (2) (3) (4)

Hepatic_impairment

Not established in the source reviewed for this dossier. (1) (2) (3) (4)

Renal_impairment

Not established in the source reviewed for this dossier. (1) (2) (3) (4)

Monitoring

Before starting

  • Screening for pre-existing parasitic infection
  • Eosinophil count where relevant to diagnosis

During treatment

  • Ongoing monitoring for allergic reaction symptoms after each injection.
  • Monitoring of asthma or vasculitis symptoms to assess response.
  • Gradual, supervised reduction of corticosteroids if appropriate.
(1)

Storage

Refrigerate at 36-46°F (2-8°C) in the original carton. May be kept at room temperature for a maximum of 14 days. Do not freeze, shake, or expose to heat. Keep out of the reach of children.

Professional information

Clinician-facing context only, sourced from the current US FDA prescribing information; verify against the current full label before prescribing.

United States

Indication: Severe eosinophilic asthma / EGPA / HES

Dose summary: Asthma (12+ years/adults, or 6-11 years >=35kg): 30mg SC every 4 weeks x3 doses, then every 8 weeks. Asthma 6-11 years <35kg: 10mg on same schedule. EGPA/HES: 30mg every 4 weeks throughout (no maintenance-phase switch). Not for acute bronchospasm/status asthmaticus.

Renal context: Not established in the source reviewed for this dossier. (1)

Mechanism of action

Hepatic guidance

Not established in the source reviewed for this dossier.

Overdose note

No specific antidote described in the source reviewed; manage supportively and seek prescriber guidance for suspected overdose. (1)

Frequently asked questions

Is benralizumab (Fasenra) available in the US, UK, Europe, Canada, and Australia?

Yes, it is approved in all of these regions. New Zealand-specific approval was not found in this research and should be confirmed locally. (1) (2) (3) (4)

Is benralizumab the same as mepolizumab (Nucala)?

No. Both reduce eosinophils and treat similar conditions, but they work on different parts of the same pathway (benralizumab blocks the IL-5 receptor, mepolizumab blocks IL-5 itself) and have different dosing schedules -- they are distinct medicines. (1)

Can benralizumab treat a sudden asthma attack?

No. Benralizumab is an add-on maintenance treatment given every 4-8 weeks and does not work quickly enough to treat a sudden asthma attack or status asthmaticus. Continue to use your prescribed rescue inhaler or emergency treatment for sudden symptoms. (1)

What is the mechanism of action of benralizumab?

Benralizumab is a humanised monoclonal antibody that binds the alpha subunit of the IL-5 receptor on eosinophils and basophils, triggering their destruction via antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity -- a more direct depletion mechanism than mepolizumab's IL-5-blocking approach. (1)

What is the generic name of Benralizumab?

The generic name is benralizumab. (1)

What class of drug is benralizumab?

Benralizumab is classed as: Monoclonal antibody (anti-IL-5 receptor alpha). (1)

References

  1. FASENRA (benralizumab) -- full prescribing informationU.S. Food and Drug Administration / DailyMed (NIH), full prescribing information, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP · United States · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 1
  2. European Commission and Health Canada approval history for Fasenra (benralizumab)AstraZeneca corporate press releases · European Union / Canada · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 2
  3. Fasenra 30mg solution for injection -- Summary of Product Characteristicselectronic medicines compendium (emc), United Kingdom -- AstraZeneca UK Limited · United Kingdom · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 3
  4. FASENRA -- ARTG registrationTherapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia · Australia · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 4

Brand names by country

Single-ingredient benralizumab names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.

Priority countries

United States

  • FASENRA30 mg/mL, 10 mg/.5mL · astrazeneca pharmaceuticals lp

United Kingdom

  • Fasenra (3)MHRA licensed emc smpc confirmed · 30 mg · AstraZeneca UK Limited

Canada

  • Fasenra (2)Health Canada approved EGPA 2025-07 confirmed · not specified in fetched source · AstraZeneca Canada Inc.

Australia

  • Fasenra (4)TGA ARTG registered 2018-04-03 · 30 mg/1 mL · AstraZeneca Pty Ltd
View brands in additional countries.

European Union

Fasenra (2)