FASNERA

[Putnam]

Hello from New York. Symbiocort and Proair not working so well. My ensophil count is always high, considering Fasnera. Would appreciate anyones experience with Fasnera. Thanks. Kevin.

[MommaMich]

I take Nucala. When I originally started it Dr gave choice between Faserna or Nucala. Insurance approved Nucala. My understanding is they are pretty much the same (dosage may differ) in any case, I’ve been on Nucala almost 2 yrs, in that time I haven’t had a single attack I couldn’t get under control at home. I did have a few minor attacks, but again, controllable. Good luck

[Putnam Asthma Captain in reply to MommaMich]

Thank you. I’m going for it.

[Ynnam30 in reply to Putnam]

Have beenon Fasenra over 2 years. No side affects. It has certainly given me better control over my asthma.

[RALLENCUMMINGHA]

Dont quite know what to expect? Ive had 4 doses. Hacking cough is persistent. But wheeze has decreased. Waiting a.few more doses to really critic

[d2read]

HI, Putnam,

I'm considered a miracle baby. I have Hypereosinophilic Syndromes, and was literally dying from it when we tried Nucala (mepolizumab) in 2017 (unfortunately, I had minimal improvement on it and developed severe complications -- zoster-virus caused corneal ulcers that took almost 6 months to resolve). So they took me off of that and my condition rapidly deteriorated again. (Steroids don't help much -- I'd had to be on such high doses for so many years that I'd developed steroid toxicity. As a result systemic steroids are used ONLY for acute asthma attacks.)

Luckily Fasenra (benralizumab) was approved for trials/compassionate use and as soon as I was stabilized (it took a few months), in June 2018 I was given my first injection. Immediately my eosinophil level went to zero. I had two more monthly injections, which is the normal initial dosage, then maintenance is one injection every 8 weeks. We monitor it each month, and it has remained at zero ever since.

My situation is extremely rare, but there are some things you might want to consider in your case.

1. I also take Xolair (omalizumab), which works much more slowly, but gradually has reduced my allergic reactions. Most of my severe asthma attacks used to be triggered by either allergic reactions or upper respiratory infections, and Xolair works with Fasenra to tackle my problems in a coordinated manner. The treatment protocol was recommended by the National Institutes of Health.

2. Nucala and Fasenra are not exactly interchangeable. They work slightly differently. In fact, the companies manufacturing the various drugs are each taking a slightly different tack specifically to try to determine which ones work the best to eliminate or greatly reduce the eosinophils produced without causing other problems. Do not make the mistake of assuming that your experience with one biologic drug will be the same as another. My experience is illustrative of that -- no one expected complete and total remission from me, especially given how high my eos levels were.

3. Each of the drug companies has a compassionate use program to try to help patients get coverage for the drug. If your doctor contacts AstraZeneca (the manufacturer of Fasenra) or someone else contacts GlaxoSmithKline (which makes Nucala) and discusses your case, including all your CBC levels over time, they may decide to work with your insurance company to cover your use of Fasenra. I've had to become an expert on how to campaign for the drugs I need -- even going so far this year as suing the PDP and winning a summary judgment before the Medicare administrative judge. You may need to become an expert, too. If so, I'm sorry. It's what we are forced into by the ridiculous insurance system we have in this country.

Nucala is a good drug. So is Dupixent, Fasenra and Xolair. I've gotten to know some of the researchers at various companies over the past decade, as they worked on this and each one I've met has been sincerely interested in my experiences and ways to help me. There's no cure for my condition. No way to repair all the damage done to my body by the eos over the years -- in fact, we are still finding it. But I am better.

You are welcome to contact me privately if you want more information.

Good luck!

Debbie

[Putnam Asthma Captain in reply to d2read]

Debbie, Wow, Thanks so much for the great response. I have to jump through some hoopsBefore I qualify. Here’s hoping I’m eligible. Definitely have high ensophils and waiting results

On my Pulmonary Function test. Thanks again. Kevin

[d2read in reply to Putnam]

Good luck. Don't hesitate to reach out if you just want someone to listen, or you are trying to cope with something. You might also find some tips helpful on my website, AsthmaOdyssey.com.

[Deff]

I have been on Fasenra for over a year now. No side affects and it does help but the price will take your breath away.

[Claire-Rose]

I’m on this had 4 doses and I feel great before I was in hospital every month and now I don’t even feel like I have asthma

[Thebird]

I was on Fasenra for approximately 2 years. I was still having persistent problems and required many inhalers. I switched Drs recently and my new Dr was able to get me on Dupixent. I am having much better results. I can also give the medicine to myself, which took some getting used to. For me it came down to my E count. With a lower E count, Fasenra was the only biological that I could originally get.

[Putnam Asthma Captain]

EOS is 7.6. Pulmory function test came back as mild airways problems, according to to Dr. Never the less, still have a lot of trouble breathing upon any type of exertion. Dr is hesitating on the bilologics. Not sure what to do. On top of all of this, just came down with a bronchial

Infection, taking antibiotics and 6bday burst of prednisone and feel like hell. I got to dig myself out of this. Good morning from NY. Thanks for all of the support and responses.