Nucala (mepolizumab) is a brand-name subcutaneous injection that comes in different forms. Depending on which form you’re prescribed, you or your doctor will administer the injection.
Nucala injection is prescribed for eosinophilic asthma and certain other conditions. It’s important to administer the injection safely and correctly so that the medication will be effective. Keep reading to learn how different forms of the medication are administered.
Nucala comes in the following forms that are given as a subcutaneous injection:
| Form | Strength | Note |
|---|---|---|
| single-dose prefilled autoinjector pen | 100 milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL) | contains a liquid solution |
| single-dose prefilled syringe | • 40 mg per 0.4 mL (40 mg/0.4 mL) • 100 mg/mL | contains a liquid solution |
| single-dose vial | 100 mg | contains a powder that your doctor or another healthcare professional will mix with a liquid to form a solution |
A subcutaneous injection is an injection that’s given under your skin. It’s injected into fatty tissues just under your skin rather than into muscle tissue.
Depending on which form you’re prescribed, you’ll either receive doses of Nucala at your doctor’s office or inject them yourself at home.
If you’re injecting Nucala yourself, your doctor will prescribe the autoinjector pen or prefilled syringe. They’ll show you how to inject Nucala. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions when injecting Nucala at home.
Nucala is injected under the skin of your abdomen or thigh. Alternatively, a caregiver may give the injection in your upper arm. Before injecting Nucala, you’ll need to clean the injection site with an alcohol swab and let it air-dry. Do not touch the injection site again until after your injection.
Be sure to avoid injecting Nucala into skin that is hard, tender, bruised, or discolored. And do not inject it within 2 inches of your belly button.
If you need more than one injection to complete your dose, keep at least 2 inches between the injection sites.
Below are the general steps for how to give yourself a dose of Nucala using the autoinjector:
- Preparing the autoinjector: Remove the autoinjector carton from the refrigerator and use caution as you take the autoinjector out of the carton. Make sure the solution is clear and colorless and does not have particles floating in it. Keep the autoinjector at room temperature, out of direct sunlight, and wait 30 minutes before injecting it. Do not use it if the carton seals are broken or if it’s been out of the refrigerator for more than 8 hours.
- Injecting the drug: Pull the clear needle cap straight off. You’ll need to inject the drug within 5 minutes of doing so. Put the autoinjector straight onto the chosen injection site, with the yellow needle guard flat on your skin. Push the autoinjector all the way down, until you hear the first click. Continue holding the autoinjector in this position until you hear a second click. It may take 15 seconds to administer the entire dose.
- Disposing of the autoinjector: Right after you inject your dose, throw away the used autoinjector and cap in an approved sharps disposal container. Do not put the clear needle cap back on.
For more details on how to inject Nucala with the autoinjector, see the manufacturer’s website. It includes helpful injection videos. You can also read the autoinjector’s instructions for use or call the MyNUCALA Support Line at 1-844-4-NUCALA (844-468-2252).
Below are the general steps for how to give yourself a dose of Nucala using the prefilled syringe:
- Preparing the syringe: Remove the syringe carton from the refrigerator and be careful as you take the syringe out of the carton. Make sure the solution is clear and colorless and does not have particles floating in it. Keep the syringe at room temperature, out of direct sunlight, and wait 30 minutes before injecting it. Do not use it if the carton seals are broken or if it’s been out of the refrigerator for more than 8 hours.
- Injecting the drug: Pull the gray needle cap straight off and away from the needle. You’ll need to inject the drug within 5 minutes of doing so. Pinch the skin around your injection site and inject Nucala at a 45-degree angle. Use your thumb to slowly press the white plunger all the way down to inject the full dose. Then, slowly lift your thumb up to retract the needle into the syringe.
- Disposing of the syringe: Right after you inject your dose, throw away the used syringe and cap in an approved sharps disposal container. Do not put the needle cap back on.
For more details on how to inject Nucala with the syringe, see the manufacturer’s website. It includes helpful injection videos. You can also read the syringe’s instructions for use or call the MyNUCALA Support Line at 1-844-4-NUCALA (844-468-2252).
Below are some additional things you should know about administering Nucala:
- Refrigeration: Be sure to keep your Nucala autoinjectors or syringes refrigerated at 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). If needed, you may store an unopened carton of Nucala outside the refrigerator at up to 86°F (30°C) for up to 7 days. If the carton has been left out of the refrigerator for more than 7 days, discard it.
- Autoinjector or syringe use: Do not use the autoinjector or syringe more than 1 time. And do not share it with other people — this can cause serious infections to spread from one person to another, including yourself. Also, do not use the autoinjector or syringe if it was dropped or looks damaged.
- How often it’s given: Nucala is typically given every 4 weeks. Depending on your dose, you may need to administer one or more injections when you take your dose. For example, if your dosage is 300 mg every 4 weeks, you’ll need to inject three 100-mg injections, one after the other.
- Injection site side effects: It’s possible for Nucala to cause side effects at the site where you inject it. These were common in clinical trials of the drug. You can see this article about Nucala’s side effects to learn more. If you experience injection site side effects, talk with your doctor.
If you have questions about administering Nucala, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Nucala can be administered using three different forms of the medication. Depending on which form you’re prescribed, you or your doctor will inject the drug under your skin. If you’re injecting Nucala yourself, be sure to follow the instructions that your doctor provides. Other resources are also available to help you administer your Nucala dose.