Depemokimab

Depemokimab-ulaa is used for severe asthma.

Depemokimab-ulaa works by blocking the effect of a substance called interleukin-5 (IL-5). This substance is normally made by your body and is part of your body’s response to inflammation. Inflammation is a major cause of asthma. Blocking this substance can help treat the symptoms of severe asthma by reducing the number of eosinophils, which are white blood cells that contribute to the disease.

• Depemokimab-ulaa is available under the following different brand names: EXDENSUR.

Common side effects of depemokimab-ulaa include:

• Infection in the nose or throat, sore throat, or common cold symptoms
• Runny nose or stuffy nose
• Flu or flu-like symptoms
• Joint pain
• Sore throat
• Pain, itching, swelling, or redness near the injection site

Serious side effects of depemokimab-ulaa include:

• Severe Allergic Reactions: This medicine may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using the drug and get help right away if you have breathing problems, a racing heart, swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat, trouble swallowing, hives, or feel faint or dizzy.
• Sudden Breathing Problems: This drug should not be used to treat sudden breathing problems (acute bronchospasm) or a life-threatening asthma attack (status asthmaticus).
• Parasite Infection: This medicine might make it harder for your body to fight certain parasite infections caused by worms (helminths). Tell your healthcare provider if you have a worm infection so it can be treated before you start this medicine.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Dosage Forms & Strengths

• Single-dose prefilled pen: 100 mg/mL 
• Single-dose prefilled syringe: 100 mg/mL

Severe Asthma

• Adult Dose: 100 mg injected under the skin once every 6 months.
• Pediatric Dose (12 years and older): 100 mg injected under the skin once every 6 months.

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if depemokimab-ulaa is right for you.

No Known Drug Interactions

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with depemokimab-ulaa. Always check with your health care provider.

Contraindications: None.

Cautions

• Pregnancy: There are risks to the mother and baby if asthma is not well-controlled during pregnancy, such as high blood pressure in the mother or the baby being born too early or too small. This medicine can pass to the baby during pregnancy, and its effects on the baby are not known.
• Lactation: It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk or how it might affect a nursing baby. The benefits of breastfeeding should be weighed against the mother's need for the medicine.
• Corticosteroid Reduction: Do not suddenly stop taking your steroid medicines (by mouth or inhaled) when you start this treatment. Stopping steroids too quickly can cause withdrawal symptoms or make other health conditions come back.