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Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. What is Benlysta?
3. Do You Need a Prescription for Benlysta?
4. How Does Benlysta Work?
5. Common Side Effects of Benlysta
6. What Should You Not Take with Benlysta?
7. Conclusion

Introduction

Benlysta (belimumab) is a prescription medication used to treat adults with active, autoantibody-positive systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Benlysta is the first and only FDA-approved treatment specifically for SLE. It is a biologic drug, meaning it is made from living cells, and is administered by injection. In this article, we will discuss what Benlysta is, whether you need a prescription for it, how it works, common side effects, and what you should not take with it.

What is Benlysta?

Benlysta is a biologic drug used to treat adults with active, autoantibody-positive systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). SLE is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. Benlysta is the first and only FDA-approved treatment specifically for SLE. It is a monoclonal antibody, meaning it is made from living cells and is administered by injection. It works by blocking a protein called B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) that is involved in the overactive immune response seen in SLE.

Do You Need a Prescription for Benlysta?

Yes, you need a prescription from your doctor to get Benlysta. Your doctor will determine if Benlysta is right for you based on your medical history and other factors.

How Does Benlysta Work?

Benlysta works by blocking a protein called B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) that is involved in the overactive immune response seen in SLE. By blocking BLyS, Benlysta helps reduce the inflammation and other symptoms associated with SLE.

Common Side Effects of Benlysta

The most common side effects of Benlysta are upper respiratory tract infection, headache, nausea, and injection site reactions. Other serious side effects may include allergic reactions, infusion reactions, and worsening of SLE symptoms.

What Should You Not Take with Benlysta?

You should not take Benlysta with other immunosuppressants, such as cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate mofetil, or azathioprine. You should also not take Benlysta with live vaccines, such as the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Conclusion

Benlysta (belimumab) is a prescription medication used to treat adults with active, autoantibody-positive systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It is the first and only FDA-approved treatment specifically for SLE. It is a biologic drug, meaning it is made from living cells, and is administered by injection. You need a prescription from your doctor to get Benlysta. Benlysta works by blocking a protein called B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) that is involved in the overactive immune response seen in SLE. The most common side effects of Benlysta are upper respiratory tract infection, headache, nausea, and injection site reactions. You should not take Benlysta with other immunosuppressants, such as cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate mofetil, or azathioprine. You should also not take Benlysta with live vaccines, such as the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

This article is based on information from the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.