How does NUCALA work?²

NUCALA targets eosinophils, but what exactly does that mean?

What are eosinophils?

Eosinophils [ee-uh-sin-uh-fils] are white blood cells that are a normal part of the body's immune system⁶.

How do eosinophils play a role in nasal polyps³?

When you have CRSwNP there is inflammation in your nasal passages. Eosinophils, a type of white blood cell, generally play an important role in this inflammation. Despite surgical procedures, nasal polyps can come back.

How can NUCALA help?

NUCALA is not a steroid like prednisone; it's a biologic³. NUCALA is the only approved IL-5 biologic for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps in New Zealand³. It reduces the number of eosinophils in the blood¹.

By reducing the number of eosinophils in your blood, Nucala may reduce the size of your nasal polyps and their associated symptoms. Nucala may also be an alternative to surgery. If you are taking oral or injectable steroids, Nucala may also help reduce the need for steroids to control your CRSwNP¹.

It is not fully understood how NUCALA works.

See how NUCALA targets eosinophils to help treat nasal polyps^*

^*It is not fully understood how NUCALA works.

What to expect during your first NUCALA treatment

At the medical centre

If you want to receive your NUCALA injections from your doctor, you can have NUCALA administered at the medical centre.

At home on your time

NUCALA can also be taken at home with the prefilled pen. Your doctor will provide information on how to properly inject at home.

It is important to monitor for serious allergic reactions after injection, either at the medical centre or at home.

Sometimes serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, can occur hours or days after administration of NUCALA¹. See risks and side effects.

See what

NUCALA

can do.

Learn about NUCALA

Ready to talk to your doctor?

Download the doctor discussion guide to keep the conversation on track.

Important Safety Information:

Do not use NUCALA if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to mepolizumab or any of the ingredients in NUCALA¹.

Do not use to treat sudden breathing problems¹.

The most common side effects of NUCALA are headache, injection site reactions (pain, redness, swelling, itching, or a burning feeling at the injection site), back pain, and nasal pressure¹.

Tell your doctor or get emergency help right away if you think you are having an allergic reaction to NUCALA².

Any information provided on this website should be discussed with a healthcare professional and does not replace a healthcare professional's advice.

References:

GlaxoSmithKline New Zealand. Nucala Data Sheet. GSK NZ; 2023. Available at https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/Datasheet
GlaxoSmithKline New Zealand. Nucala Consumer Medicine Information. GSK NZ; 2023. Available at https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/Consumers/CMI
Han JK, Bachert C, Fokkens W et al. Mepolizumab for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (SYNAPSE): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. Lancet Respir Med. 2021; published online April 16.
Bernstein D, Pavord ID, Chapman KR et al. Usability of mepolizumab single-use prefilled autoinjector for patient self-administration. J Asthma 2019;28:1-12
Kennedy JL. Sino-nasal outcome test (SNOT-22): a predictor of postsurgical improvement in patients with chronic sinusitis. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2013 Oct;111(4):246-251, E-supplement
www.webmd.com/asthma/eosinophil-counts-facts (Last Accessed on Dec 2023)

Nucala (mepolizumab 100 mg) is a Prescription Medicine, available as a 100 mg powder for injection (100 mg/ mL after reconstitution) and as a 100 mg/mL pre-filled pen (auto-injector). Nucala is used as an add-on treatment for; severe eosinophilic asthma in patients 12 years and over, severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) with an inadequate response to intranasal corticosteroids in adult patients 18 years and older, relapsing or refractory Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA) in adult patients aged 18 years and over, and in adult patients with inadequately controlled hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) without an identifiable non-haematologic secondary cause. Nucala is given by injection under your skin (subcutaneous). Nucala is fully funded for severe eosinophilic asthma only; Special Authority criteria apply. Use strictly as directed. Nucala has risks and benefits. Do not stop taking your other asthma medications including inhaled and/or oral steroid asthma medications. Tell your doctor if: you have a parasitic (helminth) infection; you are taking prescription and over-thecounter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements; you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant; you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Nucala does not treat acute asthma symptoms, such as sudden asthma attack. Tell your healthcare professional or get emergency help immediately if you have any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction: swelling of your face, mouth, and tongue, breathing problems, fainting, dizziness, feeling light-headed (low blood pressure), rash or hives. Side effects: headache, injection site reactions (pain, redness, swelling, itching, or a burning feeling at the injection site), back pain, and fatigue. Serious side effects may include allergic (hypersensitivity) reactions, including anaphylaxis. Serious allergic reactions can happen after you get your injection of Nucala. Allergic reactions can sometimes happen hours or days after you get a dose of Nucala. Herpes zoster infections that can cause shingles have happened in people who received Nucala. If symptoms continue or you have side effects, see your doctor, pharmacist or health care professional. For more information, see Nucala Consumer Medicine Information at www.medsafe.govt.nz. Ask your doctor if Nucala is right for you. Normal doctor's charges apply.

This website is intended for residents of New Zealand only.

How does NUCALA work?2