Reslizumab
Pronunciation: rez-LIZ-ue-mab.
- Generic name
- reslizumab
- Brand names
- Reslizumab Injection, Cinqaero, Reslizumab, Cinqair
- Drug class
- Monoclonal Antibody (Anti-IL-5)
Availability and supply rules vary by country
Trade names by country: United States · Canada
Australia: · Full directory
What reslizumab is and how it works
Uses, formulations, monitoring, and supply rules can differ by patient, product, and country. Follow the exact local product information and professional advice.
Mechanism of action: how reslizumab works
Reslizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that selectively binds to interleukin-5 (IL-5), a cytokine responsible for the growth, differentiation, recruitment, activation, and survival of eosinophils. By inhibiting IL-5, reslizumab reduces eosinophil levels in blood and tissues, decreasing airway inflammation associated with severe eosinophilic asthma. (1)
What reslizumab is used for
Add-on maintenance treatment for severe asthma with an eosinophilic phenotype
FDA-approved for patients 18 years and older with severe asthma and an eosinophilic phenotype, as an add-on to existing asthma therapy. Not indicated for the treatment of other eosinophilic conditions, and not for relief of acute bronchospasm or status asthmaticus. (1)
Before taking reslizumab
Do not take / not appropriate for
- Contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to reslizumab or any excipients. (Contraindication) (1)
- Caution in patients with a history of anaphylaxis, parasitic infections, or immunosuppression. (Contraindication) (1)
- Not recommended for acute bronchospasm or status asthmaticus. (Contraindication) (1)
Tell your clinician about
(1)How to take reslizumab
- General Instructions: Reslizumab is administered as an intravenous infusion by a healthcare professional, typically every 4 weeks. Do not self-administer.. Adult Dosing: The recommended dose is 3 mg/kg administered by intravenous infusion over 20–50 minutes every 4 weeks.. Pediatric Dosing: Safety and efficacy have not been established in children under 18 years of age.. Administration: Given as an IV infusion in a clinical setting. Patients are monitored during and after the infusion for any adverse reactions.. When To Stop: Do not stop treatment without consulting your doctor. Treatment may be discontinued if you experience a severe allergic reaction or if your doctor determines it is no longer needed.. Storage: Reslizumab vials should be stored in a refrigerator (2°C to 8°C/36°F to 46°F). Do not freeze. Protect from light. Unused solution should be discarded.
- This page does not provide a dose calculator. Dosing must follow the prescriber, pharmacist, or product label.
Procedures and treatment changes
Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1)
Missed dose
If you miss an appointment for your reslizumab infusion, contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible to reschedule. Do not double up doses.
Overdose
There is limited information on overdose. In case of suspected overdose, seek immediate medical attention. Supportive care and monitoring are recommended. (1)
Side effects
Side effects and their urgency vary; report severe, persistent, or concerning symptoms to a healthcare professional.
Oropharyngeal pain (throat/mouth pain)
Incidence: Most frequent adverse reaction: 2.6% of reslizumab-treated patients vs 2.2% with placebo
Signs of anaphylaxis during or after the infusion: hives, swelling of the face/lips/tongue/throat, difficulty breathing, wheezing, dizziness, or fainting — this is an FDA boxed-warning risk and needs immediate attention
(1)Unusual or unexplained muscle pain or weakness
(1)Serious warnings
FDA BOXED WARNING — Anaphylaxis — serious
Symptoms: FDA BOXED WARNING — Anaphylaxis: anaphylaxis occurred with CINQAIR (reslizumab) infusion in 0.3% of patients in placebo-controlled studies. Patients should be observed by a healthcare professional for an appropriate period of time after infusion, taking into account the usual pattern of onset of anaphylaxis. Reslizumab should be discontinued immediately if anaphylaxis occurs.
Action: Follow the urgency stated and seek prompt or emergency care when indicated. (1)
Not for use in acute asthma attacks — serious
Symptoms: Not for use in acute asthma attacks. May increase risk of infections. Monitor for muscle pain or weakness. Safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not established.
Action: Follow the urgency stated and seek prompt or emergency care when indicated. (1)
Contraindications recorded in the clinician database — serious
Symptoms: Contraindications recorded in the clinician database: Contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to reslizumab or any excipients. Caution in patients with a history of anaphylaxis, parasitic infections, or immunosuppression. Not recommended for acute bronchospasm or status asthmaticus.
Action: Follow the urgency stated and seek prompt or emergency care when indicated. (1)
Interactions
| Medicine or test | Effect | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Recorded interactions | No significant drug interactions have been identified with reslizumab. However, always inform your healthcare provider about all medicines, supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Caution is advised in patients with parasitic infections. | (1) |
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age
Pregnancy
The FDA label reports that animal reproduction studies found no adverse embryo-fetal effects at exposures up to about 17 times the maximum recommended human dose. As a monoclonal antibody, reslizumab is expected to cross the placenta; clinical trial data in human pregnancy are insufficient to establish a drug-associated risk. Discuss use during pregnancy with the treating clinician. (1)
Breastfeeding
It is not known whether reslizumab passes into human breast milk. Animal data found reslizumab in lactating mouse milk at about 5-7% of maternal serum levels. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be weighed against the mother's clinical need for reslizumab and any potential risk to the breastfed infant — discuss this with your prescriber. (1)
Children
Frequency: Not recommended for pediatric use.. Weight Based: Safety and efficacy not established in pediatric patients.. Max Daily Dose: Not recommended for pediatric use.. Max Single Dose: Not recommended for pediatric use.. Age Restrictions: Safety not established in children. (1)
Renal_impairment
FDA label: population pharmacokinetic analyses found no significant difference in reslizumab exposure between patients with normal renal function and those with mild-to-moderate renal impairment (eGFR down to 30 mL/min/1.73m²), so no renal dose adjustment is expected to be needed at those levels — impairment beyond that range has not been specifically studied. No clinically meaningful pharmacokinetic differences were seen between normal liver function and mildly elevated liver enzymes; reslizumab has not been formally studied in more significant hepatic impairment. (1)
Hepatic_impairment
FDA label: population pharmacokinetic analyses found no significant difference in reslizumab exposure between patients with normal renal function and those with mild-to-moderate renal impairment (eGFR down to 30 mL/min/1.73m²), so no renal dose adjustment is expected to be needed at those levels — impairment beyond that range has not been specifically studied. No clinically meaningful pharmacokinetic differences were seen between normal liver function and mildly elevated liver enzymes; reslizumab has not been formally studied in more significant hepatic impairment. (1)
Monitoring
(1)Storage
Refrigerate reslizumab vials at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F). Do not freeze. Do not shake. Protect the vials from light. Discard any unused solution.
Professional information
Clinician-facing context only. This section does not replace current product labeling.
General
Indication: Add-on maintenance treatment for severe eosinophilic asthma
Dose summary: 3 mg/kg administered as an intravenous infusion every 4 weeks.
Renal context: FDA label: population pharmacokinetic analyses found no significant difference in reslizumab exposure between normal renal function and mild-to-moderate renal impairment (eGFR down to 30 mL/min/1.73m²); no renal dose adjustment expected in that range. Not specifically studied beyond that level of impairment. (1)
Hepatic guidance
FDA label: no clinically meaningful pharmacokinetic differences were observed between patients with normal liver function and those with mildly elevated liver enzymes. Reslizumab has not been formally studied in more significant hepatic impairment.
Frequently asked questions
What is reslizumab used for?
Reslizumab is used as an add-on maintenance treatment for severe eosinophilic asthma in adults and adolescents who are not well controlled with standard asthma therapies.
How is reslizumab administered?
Reslizumab is given as an intravenous infusion by a healthcare professional, usually every 4 weeks.
Can reslizumab be used in children?
Reslizumab is not approved for use in children under 18 years of age due to insufficient safety and efficacy data.
What should I do if I experience an allergic reaction?
Seek immediate medical attention if you develop symptoms such as swelling, difficulty breathing, or severe rash after receiving reslizumab.
Can I stop my other asthma medications while on reslizumab?
Do not stop taking your other asthma medications unless your doctor instructs you to do so. Reslizumab is used in addition to, not as a replacement for, your regular asthma treatments.
Are there any special precautions before starting reslizumab?
Tell your doctor if you have a history of allergic reactions, parasitic infections, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
What are the most common side effects of reslizumab?
The most common side effects include sore throat, muscle pain, and increased CPK levels. Serious allergic reactions can also occur.
What happens if I take too much Reslizumab?
Overdosing on Reslizumab is unlikely given its administration by a healthcare professional. However, if an overdose were suspected, potential symptoms might include an exacerbation of known side effects. It is crucial to seek immediate emergency medical attention if you believe an overdose has occurred or if you experience any unusual or severe symptoms after administration.
Can I drink alcohol while taking Reslizumab?
There are no specific known interactions between Reslizumab and alcohol. However, alcohol consumption can sometimes exacerbate underlying medical conditions or contribute to dehydration, which may indirectly affect your overall health. It is always best to discuss alcohol intake with your healthcare provider to ensure it does not interfere with your treatment or health.
Is Reslizumab safe during pregnancy?
The safety of Reslizumab during pregnancy has not been definitively established. It is categorized as a pregnancy category B drug, meaning animal reproduction studies have not demonstrated a fetal risk, but there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Therefore, it is essential to consult your doctor immediately if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding to discuss the potential risks and benefits.
What is the mechanism of action of reslizumab?
Reslizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that selectively binds to interleukin-5 (IL-5), a cytokine responsible for the growth, differentiation, recruitment, activation, and survival of eosinophils. By inhibiting IL-5, reslizumab reduces eosinophil levels in blood and tissues, decreasing airway inflammation associated with severe eosinophilic asthma. (1)
What is the generic name of Reslizumab?
The generic name is reslizumab. It is sold under brand names including Reslizumab Injection, Cinqaero, Reslizumab, Cinqair.
What class of drug is reslizumab?
Reslizumab is classed as: Monoclonal Antibody (Anti-IL-5).
References
- Reslizumab — Prescribing InformationU.S. National Library of Medicine, DailyMed · United States · accessed 2026-08-07 · source 1
- Reslizumab Injection — patient drug information (MedlinePlus)U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 2
- CINQAIR — FDA approval record (Drugs@FDA BLA761033)U.S. Food and Drug Administration · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 3
- reslizumab — RxNorm normalized drug concept (RXCUI 1746889)U.S. National Library of Medicine (RxNorm) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 4
Brand names by country
Single-ingredient reslizumab names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.
Priority countries
United States
- CINQAIR10 mg/mL · teva respiratory, llc
Canada
- CINQAIR