Home Drug Guide Reslizumab

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Reslizumab

Brand Names Cinqair

Classification

Therapeutic: Antiasthmatic, Anti-inflammatory

Pharmacological: Interleukin-5 (IL-5) inhibitor

FDA Approved Indications

  • Add-on maintenance treatment of severe eosinophilic asthma in patients aged 18 years and older

Mechanism of Action

Reslizumab is a monoclonal antibody that selectively binds to IL-5, reducing its activity. This decreases eosinophil levels, which are involved in the inflammatory process of eosinophilic asthma.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: 3 mg IV infusion every 4 weeks; administer over 20-50 minutes.

Pediatric: Not approved for pediatric use.

Geriatric: No specific dosage adjustments, but use with caution in elderly due to potential comorbidities.

Renal Impairment: No specific dose adjustment required.

Hepatic Impairment: No specific dose adjustment required.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Administered intravenously; absorption phase not applicable.

Distribution: Widely distributed in tissues; large volume of distribution.

Metabolism: Catabolized into small peptides and amino acids via proteolytic enzymes.

Excretion: Primarily via proteolytic pathways; not eliminated unchanged in urine.

Half Life: Approximately 24 days.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to reslizumab or any component of the formulation.

Precautions

  • Potential for hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis; monitor during and after infusion.
  • Use with caution in patients with eosinophilic conditions other than asthma.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Oropharyngeal pain (Common)
  • Wheezing (Common)
  • Anaphylaxis, angioedema (Rare but serious)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Anaphylaxis (Rare)
  • Herpes zoster infections (Uncommon)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • None specifically; however, concomitant use of other biologics or immunosuppressants may increase risk of infections.

Drug-Food Interactions

  • No known significant interactions.

Drug-Herb Interactions

  • Limited data; caution with herbal supplements that affect immune response.

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Evaluate eosinophil counts and asthma control prior to administration.

Diagnoses:

  • Ineffective airway clearance related to airway inflammation.
  • Risk for allergic reaction. assets: monitor for hypersensitivity during and after infusion.

Implementation: Administer IV infusion as prescribed; monitor for infusion reactions.

Evaluation: Assess for improvement in asthma symptoms and monitor for adverse effects.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Inform about possible side effects including allergic reactions.
  • Advise on the importance of regular follow-up and blood tests.
  • Instruct to report any signs of allergic reactions immediately.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • Anaphylaxis has been reported; patients should be observed during and after infusion.

Genetic Factors: None specifically noted for reslizumab.

Lab Test Interference: May affect eosinophil counts; interpret laboratory results accordingly.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Potential allergic reactions or infusion site reactions.

Treatment: Discontinue infusion immediately; provide supportive care including antihistamines, corticosteroids, epinephrine if necessary.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F).

Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions until the expiration date on the label.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.