The Basics

What is Benralizumab?

helps prevent severe asthma attacks

Brand names for Benralizumab

Fasenra

How Benralizumab is classified

Anti-Allergic Agents, Anti-Asthmatic Agents, Antibodies – Monoclonal (Humanized)

Benralizumab During Pregnancy

Benralizumab pregnancy category

Category N/ANote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Benralizumab while pregnant

N/A

Taking Benralizumab While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Benralizumab?

No information is available on the clinical use of benralizumab during breastfeeding. Because benralizumab is a large protein molecule with a molecular weight of about 150,000, the amount in milk is likely to be very low and absorption is unlikely because it is probably destroyed in the infant’s gastrointestinal tract. Until more data become available, benralizumab should be used with caution during breastfeeding, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant. Benralizumab is a human immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) kappa antibody. Holder pasteurization (62.5 degrees C for 30 minutes) decreases the concentration of endogenous immunoglobulin G by up to 79%.[1][2] A study of 67 colostrum samples that underwent Holder pasteurization found that IgG amounts decreased by 34 to 40%. Specific IgG subclasses decreased by different amounts, with IgG1 activity decreasing by about 37%.[3] None of the studies measured IgG activity.

Maternal / infant drug levels

No information is available on the clinical use of benralizumab during breastfeeding. Because benralizumab is a large protein molecule with a molecular weight of about 150,000, the amount in milk is likely to be very low and absorption is unlikely because it is probably destroyed in the infant’s gastrointestinal tract. Until more data become available, benralizumab should be used with caution during breastfeeding, especially while nursing a newborn or preterm infant. Benralizumab is a human immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) kappa antibody. Holder pasteurization (62.5 degrees C for 30 minutes) decreases the concentration of endogenous immunoglobulin G by up to 79%.[1][2] A study of 67 colostrum samples that underwent Holder pasteurization found that IgG amounts decreased by 34 to 40%. Specific IgG subclasses decreased by different amounts, with IgG1 activity decreasing by about 37%.[3] None of the studies measured IgG activity.

Possible effects of Benralizumab on milk supply

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Possible alternatives to Benralizumab

(Asthma) Omalizumab, Mepolizumab.

List of References

Lactation sources: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/1. Koenig A, de Albuquerque Diniz EM, Barbosa SF et al. Immunologic factors in human milk: The effects of gestational age and pasteurization. J Hum Lact. 2005;21:439-43. PMID: 16280560
2. Adhisivam B, Vishnu Bhat B, Rao K et al. Effect of Holder pasteurization on macronutrients and immunoglobulin profile of pooled donor human milk. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2018;1-4. PMID: 29587541
3. Rodriguez-Camejo C, Puyol A, Fazio L et al. Antibody profile of colostrum and the effect of processing in human milk banks: Implications in immunoregulatory properties. J Hum Lact. 2018;34:137-47. PMID: 28586632

Disclaimer: This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your healthcare provider with any questions.

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