Fasenra

Fasenra treats severe asthma associated with increased blood levels of a type of white blood cell known as eosinophils. This drug assists in preventing attacks and should not be relied upon as a treatment for acute attacks or asthma or bronchospasm. It appears moderately better than adding placebo to standard asthma therapy.

Asthma typically begins in childhood as a result of allergies and responds to inhaled steroids and periodic use of bronchodilators – drugs geared to widening the air passageways. Eosinophilic asthma tends to begin during the adult years and is not linked to underlying allergies. Unlike the allergic variety, eosinophilic asthma involves the entire airway from the nose through the smallest passageways of the lung far beyond the reach of inhaled medicines.

Eosinophils appear as the culprit in this form of asthma. Fasenra functions by blocking activation of eosinophils in the lungs which reduces signals capable of causing the disease to flare. Unquestionably it adds stability to many patients affected by moderate to severe eosinophilic asthma but it fails to completely eliminate the disease. Since asthma involves more than just eosinophils, Fasenra does not cure the disease.

As with almost all prescription drugs advertised on the television, Fasenra is associated with a sticker shock price tag. The cash price for the first year of therapy approximates $47,000 falling to around $40,000 for subsequent years. This averages a daily price of about $125.

Fasenra competes with Nucala, Cinqair, Xolair and Dupixent among others.