Mepolizumab and C19

[Riff1954]

My wife has EGPA and currently receives monthly injections of Mepolizumab at the local hospital.

We are concerned that going to hospital may expose her to the virus (particularly as it is a respiratory nurse that administers it).

We are trying to weigh up whether missing the dose is preferable to taking the risk of having it

Opinions please.

Thanks and stay safe

[PMRpro]

The advice being given by the BSR that patients should continue with medication, including biologics, as long as they are not infected. The reasoning behind it is that the lack of the treatment may lead to the underlying disease worsening, thus putting the patient at even greater risk.

There will be risk assessments going on - and rearrangement of staff allocation since some staff need to be put into less risky roles for their own protection. My daughter is high risk, her current post is very high risk but she wants to continue working if possible so they are actively seeking alternative options. I can't imagine that any nurse administering chemotherapy/biologics to patients will also be in a Covid 19 front line position.

Contact the unit and ask them for advice - one of the uses for private hospitals is likely to be separating high risk patients from the possibility of infection.

[JGM1]

Hi I also have EGPA and started a clinical trial a couple of weeks ago which is a double blind trail of either Mepolizumab or Benralizumab administered monthly.

The respiratory consultant told me they would continue despite the current situation . I figured it can only help to have more treatment that may reduce the impact if I get the virus.

Obviously there are risks when having to attend the appointment but I am trusting the hospital and there will be far fewer people onsite than normal .

[ElaineRH]

Hi also have EGPA and on Beralizumab. I have already missed one dose as I was In hospital have a back op. The clinic have said they want me to come in the next week or so to resume the treatment but they are not going to have the post injection waiting time to minimise the time the patient is in the hospital for...

[Riff1954]

Thanks for the helpful replies. We have just heard from our nurse to the effect that the injections are proceeding as normal but that she is doing back to back appointments all day from an isolated room in outpatients which is a much better prospect than going to the ward like we usually do. Best wishes to all