Living with severe asthma can feel like a daily struggle; regular wheezing, dyspnea, and emergency inhalers define the regimen. Biologics like Dupilumab and Benralizumab have given patients whose asthma cannot be managed by conventional drugs fresh hope. Which one, nevertheless, would be appropriate for you?
At MediQuickRx, we know how important it is to identify the correct treatment that not only lessens your symptoms but also enhances your quality of life. This article dissected the main variations between Dupilumab and Benralizumab to enable you to make a wise choice with your doctor.
Learning About Severe Asthma
Let us define what severe asthma actually is before we discuss the drugs. Unlike mild or moderate asthma, severe asthma responds poorly to conventional therapies such bronchodilators or inhaled corticosteroids. Severe asthmatics might go through:
- Regular asthma episodes
- Continuous symptoms even after therapy
- Hospital visits or emergency treatment.
- reliance on oral corticosteroids
This is where biologic treatments such as Benralizumab and Dupilumab find use.
What are biologics?
Advanced drugs produced from living entities are called biologics. They go after particular immune system components that set up asthma attacks. Unlike short-term relief inhalers, biologics act at the source to help gradually lower inflammation.
Two FDA-approved biologics for severe asthma, Dupilumab and Benralizumab, will be compared here.
Dupilumab, sometimes known as Dupixent, is the brand name.
How It Works:
Two important proteins that fuel airway inflammation in asthma are interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13), which dupilumab inhibits. Patients with eosinophilic asthma or asthma with strong allergic responses find it very beneficial.
Advantage:
- lessens oral steroid need and asthma episodes
- enhances lung capacity.
- also aids with eczema and, should exist, chronic sinusitis.
- Approved for those six years of age and above.
- How It’s Done: Every two weeks a subcutaneous injection
- can be given at home after appropriate instruction.
Side Notes:
- responses at injection sites
- Problems of the eyes including conjunctivitis
- Sore throat or upper respiratory problems
Brand name for benralizumab: Fasenra
The Mechanism:
Targeting interleukin-5 receptor (IL-5R), benralizumab helps eosinophils—a kind of white blood cell associated with asthma inflammation—to survive and thrive. It works rather well for eosinophilic asthma.
Advantage:
- greatly reduces eosinophil levels
- Stops aggravations and hospital visits.
- enhances lung functionality.
- approved for twelve years of age and above.
How That’s Taken:
For the first three doses, a subcutaneous injection every four weeks; subsequently, every eight weeks.
Usually given in a medical environment
Side Results:
- Headaches
- Sore tongue
- Discomfort at the injection site
- Conceivable allergic responses
Out of the two which one should you pick?
Selecting between Dupilumab and Benralizumab relies on numerous elements:
Type of asthma
Both medications might help if your asthma is eosinophilic.
Should you additionally suffer from allergic asthma, Dupilumab may be more appropriate.
Additional Disorders
Also dealing with nasal polyps or eczema? Dupilumab might assist with all three.
Age and Lifestyle
Parents of younger children (ages six to eleven) could gravitate toward dupilumab.
Benralizumab might be handy for people looking for less regular dosage.
Insurance and Affordability
Both drugs can be somewhat costly. Review your copay cards, insurance coverage, or manufacturer-provided assistance program availability.
What Comments Patients Make?
Many patients say their daily life has improved greatly once they began biologics. They sleep better, have easier breathing, and cut ER trips.
Still, outcomes differ. Some react better to Benralizumab, others to Dupilumab. Finding which biologic best fits you might take time and medical assessment.
A Comment from MediQuickRx
MediQuickRx is dedicated to compassionately and personally helping you control severe asthma. Our Pharmacists can help you with:
- Medication instruction
- Support and instruction in injections
- Programs for financial support
- Quick and dependable house delivery
You need not fight asthma on your own; let us be your care partner.
Last thoughts
For those with severe eosinophilic asthma, both Dupilumab and Benralizumab provide encouraging improvement. The decision between them is about which suits you more than about which is superior. See your doctor, learn your choices, and select a course of action that best meets your particular medical need.
Want further details? See mediquickrx or get in touch with our knowledgeable staff. Here we are to assist you in controlling your asthma, live better, and breathe easier.
