About this Tool

The Fasenra (benralizumab) Dosing Calculator is a clinical support tool designed to help healthcare professionals map out the administration schedule for patients with severe eosinophilic asthma. It calculates dates for both the initial loading phase and the subsequent maintenance phase based on the approved dosing regimen.

Outputs

Upon entering the required dates, the calculator provides a clear and organized dosing schedule. Key outputs include:

• Full Dosing Schedule: A table detailing the administration dates for the first 15 doses, covering approximately two years of treatment.
• Next Dose Information: A summary highlighting the date of the next due dose, its corresponding dose number, the treatment phase (loading or maintenance), and a countdown of days until administration.
• Missed Dose Rescheduling: When a missed dose is indicated, the tool generates a new 8-week maintenance schedule starting from the date the last dose was administered.

How to Use

Standard Schedule Calculation

1. Treatment Initiation Date: Select the date the patient received their first 30 mg dose of Fasenra.
2. Today’s Date / Status Check Date: This field defaults to the current date. It is used to determine which dose is next. You can change it to a future date to project the patient’s schedule at that time.
3. Calculate: The tool generates the full administration schedule.

Missed Dose Recalculation

1. Check the “Recalculate for Missed Dose” box.
2. Date of Last Administered Dose: Enter the date the patient actually received their missed maintenance dose.
3. Calculate: The tool will generate a new maintenance schedule with 8-week intervals beginning from the new date provided.

Dosing Overview

Fasenra is administered as a 30 mg subcutaneous injection. The dosing regimen consists of two distinct phases:

• Loading Phase: The first three doses are administered once every 4 weeks (at Week 0, Week 4, and Week 8).
• Maintenance Phase: Following the loading phase, all subsequent doses are administered once every 8 weeks.

Switching Therapy

When switching a patient to Fasenra from another biologic agent (e.g., omalizumab, mepolizumab, reslizumab), the decision on timing should be based on clinical judgment. Typically, Fasenra can be initiated at the time the next dose of the previous biologic was scheduled. There is no required washout period, but consultation with the complete prescribing information is recommended.

Missed Dose Protocol

The management of a missed dose depends on the treatment phase. The calculator specifically addresses a missed maintenance dose.

• If a maintenance dose is missed, it should be administered as soon as possible.
• Subsequently, the patient’s schedule should be continued every 8 weeks from the date the missed dose was administered. The calculator’s “Recalculate for Missed Dose” feature automates this process.
• For a missed loading dose, healthcare providers should consult the full prescribing information and use clinical discretion to get the patient back on schedule.

Safety Alerts

This tool does not replace clinical judgment or the need to consult the official Prescribing Information. Important safety considerations for Fasenra include potential hypersensitivity reactions (including anaphylaxis) and the need to treat pre-existing helminth infections before starting therapy. Common adverse reactions include headache and pharyngitis. Do not discontinue systemic or inhaled corticosteroids abruptly upon initiation of Fasenra.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the loading dose schedule for Fasenra?

The loading phase consists of three 30 mg injections. The first dose is given at initiation (Week 0), the second at Week 4, and the third at Week 8.

How often is the maintenance dose of Fasenra given?

After the initial three doses, Fasenra is administered as a 30 mg injection once every 8 weeks.

How does the calculator handle a missed maintenance dose?

The calculator allows you to input the date the missed dose was finally given. It then generates a new maintenance schedule with 8-week intervals starting from that new date.

Can I use this calculator for the Fasenra PEN autoinjector?

Yes, the dosing schedule (30 mg every 4 weeks for 3 doses, then every 8 weeks) is the same for both the pre-filled syringe and the Fasenra PEN.

Does this calculator account for pediatric dosing?

Fasenra is approved for patients aged 12 years and older. The dosing regimen is the same for adolescents and adults. The calculator is applicable for this approved age group.

What should I do if a patient misses one of the first three loading doses?

The calculator does not have a specific function for a missed loading dose. It is recommended to contact the manufacturer or use clinical judgment to determine the best course of action to re-establish the dosing schedule.

Can I project a future schedule with this tool?

Yes. By changing the “Today’s Date / Status Check Date” field to a date in the future, the calculator will highlight which dose will be next as of that future date.

Is Fasenra an infusion or an injection?

Fasenra is a subcutaneous injection administered into the thigh, abdomen, or upper arm.

Does the calculator show the entire treatment course?

The calculator generates a schedule for the first 15 doses, which covers approximately the first two years of treatment. Fasenra is intended for long-term maintenance therapy.

References

1. FASENRA® (benralizumab) injection, for subcutaneous use. Prescribing Information. AstraZeneca; 2019. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/761070s002lbl.pdf
2. Fasenra HCP Official Site. Dosing and Administration. AstraZeneca. Accessed 2023. Available from: https://www.fasenrahcp.com/dosing-and-administration.html
3. Global Initiative for Asthma. Global Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention, 2023. Available from: https://ginasthma.org/gina-reports/
4. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Drugs@FDA: FDA-Approved Drugs. FASENRA (benralizumab). Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=overview.process&ApplNo=761070