Injections of asthma medication: potentially leading to notable side effects?
In the management of asthma, a variety of treatments are available, including injectable medications. These biologics offer targeted therapy by targeting specific cells or antibodies to stop inflammation in the airways.
Common injectable asthma medications include Dupixent (dupilumab), Nucala (mepolizumab), and Fasenra (benralizumab). These are typically used for severe eosinophilic asthma or related conditions.
Common side effects across these injectable asthma medications include injection site reactions, respiratory and upper respiratory symptoms, general symptoms, eye-related problems, allergic reactions, and infections.
Injection site reactions such as pain, swelling, burning, irritation, redness, itching, or tenderness at the injection site are frequently reported. Respiratory and upper respiratory symptoms like throat pain, rhinitis, stuffy nose, or sore throat are also noted, particularly with Dupixent. General symptoms such as headache, dizziness, fatigue, insomnia, muscle or joint pain, and back pain appear with Dupixent and Nucala. Eye-related problems like inflammation, itching, swelling, dryness, blurred vision, or eye infection symptoms can occur with Dupixent. Allergic reactions like rash, hives, itching, facial swelling, dizziness, nausea, trouble breathing, and rarely anaphylaxis have been reported, requiring immediate medical attention. Infections like upper respiratory tract infections, herpes virus infections, and other infections are a risk with Dupixent and Nucala; watch for fever, chills, cough, or burning on urination signalling infection.
Serious side effects, although rare, require urgent care. Signs of anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) including swelling of the face/throat, breathing difficulty, severe dizziness, severe eye problems, new or worsening lung symptoms, rash, hives, sudden weakness or sensory changes, or severe headache should be reported to a healthcare provider immediately.
Careful monitoring and adherence to other asthma treatments are key precautions when using these injectable asthma biologics. Do not use these biologics to treat acute asthma attacks; continue prescribed rescue inhalers like albuterol for sudden symptoms. Maintain existing asthma medications, especially corticosteroids, when starting biologics; do not stop or reduce steroids abruptly to avoid withdrawal. Monitor for any signs of infection or allergic reactions and report promptly to your healthcare provider. Injection site care may help reduce irritation; inform your provider if reactions are severe or persist.
Steroid injections may be provided in a hospital setting when a person experiences a severe asthma attack to reduce the amount of swelling in the airways and help a person return to regular breathing. In rare cases, allergy shots may also cause anaphylaxis. In rare cases, biologics can cause anaphylaxis.
Common side effects of epinephrine include headache, diaphoresis, tachycardia, apprehension, high blood pressure, anxiety, heart palpitations, nausea, vomiting, tremors, weakness, and potential interactions with other medications.
If you suspect you may have undiagnosed asthma or if current treatments for your asthma are not helping with symptoms, speak with a healthcare professional. People experiencing severe asthma attacks should call 911 immediately. A 2018 review of studies found that steroid injections in the emergency room setting were as effective as oral steroids in preventing relapse of symptoms, but the authors only expressed moderate confidence about the results due to the low to moderate quality of evidence.
References: [1] Dupixent (dupilumab) prescribing information. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2021. [2] Nucala (mepolizumab) prescribing information. GlaxoSmithKline plc. 2021. [3] Fasenra (benralizumab) prescribing information. AstraZeneca. 2021. [4] Dupixent (dupilumab) safety information. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2021. [5] Fasenra (benralizumab) safety information. AstraZeneca. 2021.
Seekers with asthma should be aware that for severe cases, injectable medications like Dupixent, Nucala, and Fasenra might be recommended. These treatments, known as biologics, target specific cells or antibodies to stop inflammation in the airways. However, allergist should discuss potential side effects with personas considering these treatments, such as injection site reactions, respiratory and upper respiratory symptoms, general symptoms, eye-related problems, allergic reactions, and infections. In rare cases, anaphylaxis can occur, requiring immediate medical attention.
Individuals utilizing these asthma biologics should maintain other medical-conditions treatments, including corticosteroids, and not discontinue them abruptly. Concurrent health-and-wellness practices, like monitoring for signs of infection or allergic reactions, are essential. On the other hand, if injectable treatments don't alleviate symptoms, it's crucial to consult a healthcare professional regarding other treatment options.
Steroid injections, whether in a hospital setting or emergency room, can help manage acute asthma attacks by reducing airway swelling. Despite this, anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction, is a rare but serious side effect that can occur not only from steroid injections but also from allergy shots and biologics.
In case of suspected undiagnosed asthma or ineffective current asthma treatments, consult a healthcare professional. For those experiencing severe asthma attacks, call 911 immediately. In case of anaphylaxis, medical-condition treatment should follow the guidance provided by the science and prescribing information for epinephrine.
