Belimumab

From Anvita Health Wiki

Contents 1 Epidemiology 2 Indications 3 Dosage 4 Adverse-effects 5 Mechanism-of-action 6 Notes 7 More General Terms 8 References

Epidemiology

• may not be effective in people of African descent

Indications

• treatment of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus already on standard treatment [1]

Dosage

• 10 mg/kg given as an IV infusion on study days 0, 14, & 28 then every 4 weeks thereafter for a total of 48 weeks [2]

Adverse-effects

• risk of infection
• increased mortality
  
• drug adverse effects of immunosuppressive agents

Mechanism-of-action

• human monoclonal antibody that targets the B-lymphocyte stimulator protein ( TNFSF13B)

Notes

• costs at least $35,000 per year (2011) [2]

More General Terms

• monoclonal antibody
• immunosuppressive agent

References

1. FDA NEWS RELEASE: March 9, 2011 FDA approves Benlysta to treat lupus [1]
2. Prescriber's Letter 18(5): 2011 Management of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Detail-Document#: [2] (subscription needed) [3]

belimumab (Benlysta)