mepolizumab

Nucala · ATC code R03DX09

Key facts
Active substance
mepolizumab
ATC code
R03DX09
Authorisation
centrally authorised across the EU (EMA)
Dosage forms
Nucala 100 mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen / Nucala 100 mg solution for injection in pre-filled syringe / Nucala 40 mg solution for injection in pre-filled syringe · Nucala 100 mg powder for solution for injection
Marketing authorisation holder
GlaxoSmithKline Trading Services Limited
Information as of
2026-10-27

Key facts

Mepolizumab (Nucala) is a monoclonal antibody acting on the interleukin-5 pathway. It is used as add-on treatment for severe eosinophilic asthma and other eosinophilic diseases.

What it is used for

  • Severe refractory eosinophilic asthma in adults, adolescents and children aged 6 years and older (add-on)
  • Severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps in adults, add-on to intranasal corticosteroids
  • Uncontrolled COPD with raised blood eosinophils in adults on ICS/LABA/LAMA
  • Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) from 6 years
  • Inadequately controlled hypereosinophilic syndrome in adults

Dosing

  • Asthma: 12 years and older 100 mg subcutaneously every 4 weeks; children 6 to 11 years 40 mg every 4 weeks
  • CRSwNP and COPD (adults): 100 mg subcutaneously every 4 weeks
  • EGPA: 12 years and older 300 mg every 4 weeks; children 6 to 11 years ≥ 40 kg 200 mg, < 40 kg 100 mg every 4 weeks
  • Hypereosinophilic syndrome (adults): 300 mg subcutaneously every 4 weeks
  • Long-term treatment; review need at least annually; in CRSwNP consider alternatives if no response after 24 weeks

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to the active substance or any excipient

Important warnings

  • Not for treatment of acute asthma or COPD exacerbations
  • Do not stop corticosteroids abruptly after starting; reduce gradually under physician supervision
  • Acute and delayed systemic reactions including hypersensitivity (anaphylaxis, urticaria, angioedema), possibly after long treatment
  • Treat pre-existing helminth infections before starting therapy
  • Record product name and batch number for traceability

Side effects

  • Asthma: headache (20%), injection site reactions (8%), back pain (6%)
  • EGPA: headache (32%), injection site reactions (15%), back pain (13%); systemic allergic reactions in 4%
  • Common: lower respiratory tract infection, urinary tract infection, pharyngitis, hypersensitivity reactions
  • Rare: anaphylaxis

Interactions

  • No interaction studies; potential for interactions considered low

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

  • Limited data; as a precaution preferable to avoid in pregnancy, consider only if expected benefit to the mother outweighs the risk
  • No data on excretion in human milk

Summary of the official product information, written with AI (Claude, Anthropic) on 2026-10-28. Every number was checked automatically against the original text. Not reviewed by a physician – the full official text is authoritative.

Full official text →

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For patients

Package leaflet, verbatim

Package leaflet for patients →

Authorisation and brand names by country

Medicines with exactly this active-substance composition, as listed in the national registers – alphabetical and without ranking. Whether a product is currently available is not shown here.

EU – centrally authorised (all member states)

  • NucalaGlaxoSmithKline Trading Services Limited · EMEA/H/C/003860

Source: European Medicines Agency (EMA), product information

Turkey

  • NucalaGLAXOSMİTHKLİNE İLAÇLARI SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 8 register entries

Source: TİTCK – Ruhsatlı Beşeri Tıbbi Ürünler Listesi, as of 2026-10-16

Brand names in 3 more European countries
Iceland
Nucala
Liechtenstein
Nucala
Norway
Nucala

EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-28

Medelix receives no money from pharmaceutical companies. Brand names are listed alphabetically and without ranking.

Other substances in the same group

Another question about this substance?

Medelix answers clinical questions from guidelines, studies and product information – every claim with its source.

Sources

  1. European Medicines Agency. Nucala – EPAR, Product Information (OF THE TEXT Detailed information on this medicinal product i). 2026-10-27. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/nucala-epar-product-information_en.pdf
  2. TİTCK – Ruhsatlı Beşeri Tıbbi Ürünler Listesi, 2026-10-16. https://www.titck.gov.tr/dinamikmodul/85

Editorial: Medelix editorial team · last updated 2026-10-27 · How these pages are made · Report an error

Source: European Medicines Agency (EMA), product information. Not advertising, not a treatment recommendation. For questions about your own treatment, ask your doctor or pharmacist.