Asthma

Overview

Asthma causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways. Most people control it with inhalers, but some have severe asthma that keeps flaring despite high-dose inhaled medicines. For these patients, a pulmonologist or allergist may test for the type of inflammation involved, such as high eosinophil counts or allergic (IgE-driven) asthma, and consider a biologic add-on treatment.

Common Signs and Symptoms

• Wheezing, coughing, chest tightness or shortness of breath
• Night-time symptoms that disturb sleep
• Frequent use of a rescue inhaler
• Flare-ups that need oral steroids or urgent care

When to Contact a Provider

Ask your provider to review your plan if you use a rescue inhaler more than twice a week, wake at night with symptoms, or have needed steroid bursts. Severe breathlessness, trouble speaking or blue lips is an emergency: call 911.

How Treatment May Help

Biologics are add-on maintenance treatments, not rescue medicines. Matched to the type of asthma, they may help reduce flare-ups and the need for oral steroids. Patients keep using their usual inhalers unless their provider says otherwise.

Therapies That May Be Available at Infuse Care

• Cinqair (reslizumab): IV infusion every four weeks, for adults with eosinophilic asthma
• Fasenra (benralizumab): injection under the skin, for eosinophilic asthma
• Nucala (mepolizumab): injection under the skin, for eosinophilic asthma
• Tezspire (tezepelumab): injection under the skin, for severe asthma without a required type
• Xolair (omalizumab): injection under the skin, for allergic asthma

Safety and Monitoring

Allergic reactions, including rare anaphylaxis, can occur, so patients are observed after treatment. Cinqair and Xolair carry specific anaphylaxis warnings. Other possible side effects include injection-site reactions, headache and sore throat. Do not stop steroid medicines suddenly unless your provider tells you to.

Your prescribing provider decides which treatment is right for you. Infuse Care administers prescribed therapies after a referral, a clinical review and any required insurance authorization, and we keep your provider's office updated on your care.