Uses
Belimumab injection is used with other medications to treat certain types of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus; an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks healthy parts of the body such as joints, skin, blood vessels, and organs) in adults and children 5 years of age and older. Belimumab is in a class of medications called monoclonal antibodies. It works by blocking the activity of a certain protein in people with SLE. Belimumab injection may not work as well to treat African Americans who have SLE.
Side Effects Of Belimumab Injection
Belimumab injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- nausea
- vomiting
- stomach pain
- diarrhea
- headache
- difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- pain in the arms or legs
- tiredness
- runny nose
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the HOW section, call your doctor immediately:
- rash
- hives
- itching
- shortness of breath
- swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, and/or lower legs
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- chest discomfort or pain
- fever, sore throat, chills, cough, and other signs of infection
- thinking of harming or killing yourself or others, or planning or trying to do so
- new or worsening depression or anxiety
- unusual changes in your behavior or mood
- acting on dangerous impulses
- frequent, painful, or difficult urination
- cloudy or strong-smelling urine
- upper back or side pain
- bloody diarrhea
- coughing up mucus
- vision changes
- memory loss
- difficulty talking or walking
- dizziness or loss of balance
- Belimumab may increase your risk of certain cancers. Studies have shown that people who received belimumab were more likely to die from various causes than those who did not take belimumab. Talk to your doctor about the risks of receiving this medication.
Belimumab injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before using belimumab injection:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to belimumab, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in belimumab injection. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: intravenous cyclophosphamide; and monoclonal antibodies or other biologic medications. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have an infection or if you have or have ever had an infection that keeps coming back, depression or thoughts of harming or killing yourself, or cancer.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if taking belimumab injection during pregnancy can harm your unborn baby. If you choose to prevent pregnancy, you should use effective birth control during your treatment with belimumab injection and for 4 months after your final dose. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that you can use during your treatment. If you become pregnant during your treatment with belimumab, call your doctor.
- tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using belimumab injection.
- do not have any vaccinations without talking to your doctor. Tell your doctor if you have received a vaccine within the past 30 days.
Dosage Of Belimumab Injection
Belimumab comes as a powder to be mixed into a solution to be injected intravenously (into a vein) in adults and children 5 years of age and older. Belimumab injection also comes as a solution (liquid) in an autoinjector or prefilled syringe to inject subcutaneously (under the skin) in adults. When given intravenously, it is usually given over at least an hour by a doctor or nurse once every 2 weeks for the first three doses, and then once every 4 weeks. Your doctor will decide how often you are to receive belimumab injection intravenously based on your body’s response to this medication. When given subcutaneously, it is usually given once weekly preferably on the same day each week.
You will receive your first subcutaneous dose of belimumab injection in your doctor’s office. If you will be injecting belimumab injection subcutaneously by yourself at home or having a friend or relative inject the medication for you, your doctor will show you or the person who will be injecting the medication how to inject it. You and the person who will be injecting the medication should also read the written instructions for use that come with the medication.
Remove the autoinjector or prefilled syringe from the refrigerator and allow it to reach room temperature 30 minutes before you are ready to inject belimumab injection. Do not try to warm the medication by heating it in a microwave, placing it in warm water, or through any other method. The solution should be clear to opalescent and colorless to pale yellow. Call your pharmacist if there are any problems with the package or the syringe and do not inject the medication.
You may inject belimumab injection on the front of the thighs or anywhere on your stomach except your navel (belly button) and the area 2 inches around it. Do not inject the medication into the skin that is tender, bruised, red, hard, or not intact. Choose a different spot each time you inject the medication.
Belimumab may cause serious reactions during and after you to receive the medication. A doctor or nurse will watch you closely while you are receiving the infusion and after the infusion to be sure you are not having a serious reaction to the medication. You may be given other medications to treat or help prevent reactions to belimumab injection. Tell your doctor or nurse immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms that may occur during the intravenous infusion or the subcutaneous injection or for up to a week after you receive the medication: rash; itching; hives; swelling of the face, eyes, mouth, throat, tongue, or lips; difficulty breathing or swallowing; wheezing or shortness of breath; anxiousness; flushing; dizziness; fainting; headache; nausea; fever; chills; seizures; muscle aches; and slow heartbeat.
Belimumab helps control lupus but does not cure it. Your doctor will watch you carefully to see how well belimumab works for you. It may take some time before you feel the full benefit of belimumab injection. It is important to tell your doctor how you are feeling during your treatment.
Your doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer’s patient information sheet (Medication Guide) when you begin treatment with belimumab and each time you refill your prescription. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Other
Keep all appointments with your doctor.
Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about belimumab injection.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
