What is Fasenra: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Medically reviewed by Karen BergerPharm.D.
Licensed Pharmacist
Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020
Fact Checked

Fasenra is an injectable medication that contains the active ingredient benralizumab and is made by AstraZeneca. It can be used in adults and adolescents 12 years and older, along with other medications, to help control asthma symptoms. Fasenra is classified as an interleukin-5 receptor alpha-directed cytolytic monoclonal antibody. It works by decreasing eosinophils, which helps reduce airway inflammation, making breathing easier.

Fasenra overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Fasenra, Fasenra Pen

Generic Names:

  • No generic available

Uses:

  • Treats severe asthma with an eosinophilic phenotype in adults and adolescents 12 years and older. It is used along with other medications.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Interleuken-5 antagonists, monoclonal antibody

Forms:

  • Injectable

How it’s taken:

  • By injection

What is Fasenra used for?

  • Fasenra is used as a maintenance treatment (to prevent and control symptoms) in adults and adolescents 12 years and older with severe eosinophilic asthma.

  • Fasenra does not relieve an acute asthma attack. For an acute attack, you will need to use your rescue medication, such as albuterol.

Key takeaways

  • Fasenra is used in people with eosinophilic asthma that is not well controlled with other medicines. It is used along with other medicines to help prevent and control asthma symptoms like wheezing and shortness of breath.

  • Fasenra will not stop an acute asthma attack. For an acute attack, you will use your rescue medication.

  • Fasenra may be injected by a healthcare provider. Or, with proper training, you or a caregiver can inject it. 

  • Take Fasenra and any other asthma medications exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. Tell your provider if any of your medications seem to stop working or not work as well. 

  • While taking Fasenra, keep all healthcare provider and bloodwork appointments.

What form(s) does Fasenra come in

  • Injectable

    • 30 milligrams (mg) per milliliter (mL) single-dose prefilled syringe

    • 30 mg/mL single-dose autoinjector pen

What are common Fasenra doses?

  • Fasenra is injected subcutaneously (under the skin) of the upper arm, thigh, or stomach.

  • The usual dose is 30 mg (one injection) once every 4 weeks for the first three doses, then one injection every 8 weeks after that.

Common Fasenra prescriptions

  • Fasenra
    1ml of 30mg/ml syringe

How to take Fasenra

  • A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine with the prefilled syringe. Or, they may train you or a caregiver to administer the medication with the Fasenra pen. Make sure you understand how to inject Fasenra before using it at home. Read the information leaflet every time you fill your prescription and ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have any questions.

  • This medicine is given as a shot under your skin, in the upper arm, stomach, or thigh. If you administer Fasenra to yourself, you will use the stomach or thigh. A healthcare provider or caregiver may inject you in the upper arm. Do not try to inject yourself in the upper arm. 

  • Do not inject Fasenra within a two-inch circle around your belly button. Do not inject into scars or damaged skin, through clothing, or anywhere the skin is tender, hard, or bruised. 

  • If you use the Fasenra pen, store it in a refrigerator in its original carton until it is time to use it. Take it out of the refrigerator about 30 minutes before you need to use it, and let it come to room temperature. 

  • You can keep Fasenra at room temperature for up to two weeks. Once you remove Fasenra from the refrigerator, you must use it within two weeks (14 days). If you do not use it by this time, dispose the medication. 

  • Each Fasenra pen contains one dose that is for a one-time use.

  • Follow the enclosed instructions on how to prepare the injection site, how to inject Fasenra, and how to dispose of your pen in a sharps container.

What to do if you miss a dose of Fasenra

  • If you miss your scheduled dose of Fasenra, contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible for instructions.

Fasenra contraindications

  • Do not use Fasenra if you are allergic to benralizumab or any ingredient in the medication.

  • Fasenra is not to be used as a rescue medication and will not stop an acute attack. Do not use Fasenra if you are having an acute asthma attack.

Fasenra warnings

  • Before taking Fasenra, tell your healthcare provider about all the medical conditions you have. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or if you have a parasite or worm infection. Also, tell your provider about all the medications you take, including prescription and OTC drugs, vitamins, and supplements.

  • This medicine will not stop an asthma attack that has already started. You will use your rescue medication for an asthma attack.

  • If you use a corticosteroid medicine (inhaled or taken by mouth) to control your asthma, keep using it unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

  • Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone, even if they have the same symptoms or condition.

Fasenra interactions

  • No significant drug interactions have been reported. Still, be sure to tell your healthcare provider about all the other medications you take as you will mostly likely take other medicines in addition to Fasenra which may interact with other drugs.

Fasenra side effects

If you have symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, call 911 and go to the emergency room. 

Serious side effects

  • Allergic reaction

Less serious side effects

  • Pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump at the injection site

  • Sore throat

  • Headache

  • Fever 

Sources:

Medically reviewed by Karen BergerPharm.D.
Licensed Pharmacist

After receiving her doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, Karen Berger, Pharm.D., has worked in both chain and independent community pharmacies. She currently works at an independent pharmacy in New Jersey. Dr. Berger enjoys helping patients understand medical conditions and medications—both in person as a pharmacist, and online as a medical writer and reviewer.

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