Belimumab

Generic name: belimumab [ be-LIM-ue-mab ]
Brand names: Benlysta, Benlysta Autoinjector
Dosage forms: intravenous powder for injection (120 mg; 400 mg), subcutaneous solution (200 mg/mL)
Drug class: Selective immunosuppressants

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Apr 5, 2024. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is belimumab?

Belimumab is used together with other medicines to treat active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in adults and children at least 5 years old.

Beliumumab is also used to treat kidney problems (active lupus nephritis) in adults with SLE who are using other lupus medication.

Belimumab is not for use in people who have active SLE that affects the central nervous system (brain, nerves, and spinal cord).

Belimumab may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Belimumab side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, itching; feeling anxious or light-headed; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Some people have had serious or fatal allergic reactions to belimumab within hours or days after an injection. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms such as muscle pain, headache, tiredness, slow heartbeats, rash, itching, swelling in your face or throat, anxiety, nausea, trouble breathing, and feeling dizzy or light-headed.

You may get infections more easily, even serious or fatal infections. Stop using belimumab and call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as:

• fever, chills;

• skin sores, warmth, or redness;

• cough with mucus, chest pain, shortness of breath;

• pain or burning when you urinate;

• urinating more than usual; or

• bloody diarrhea.

Belimumab may cause a serious brain infection that can lead to disability or death. Call your doctor right away if you have problems with speech, thought, vision, or muscle movement. These symptoms may start gradually and get worse quickly.

Also call your doctor at once if you have new or worsening depression, anxiety, mood or behavior changes, trouble sleeping, risk-taking behavior, or thoughts about hurting yourself or others.

Common side effects of belimumab may include:

• nausea, diarrhea;

• fever, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, cough, chest tightness;

• pain, itching, redness, or swelling where an injection was given under the skin;

• pain in your arms or legs;

• headache, depressed mood; or

• sleep problems (insomnia).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

Some people have had serious or fatal allergic reactions to this medicine within hours or days after an injection. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms such as headache, anxiety, rash, itching, swelling in your face or throat, nausea, trouble breathing, and feeling dizzy or light-headed.

Belimumab affects your immune system. You may get infections more easily, even serious or fatal infections. Call your doctor if you have a fever, chills, cough with mucus, skin sores, warmth or redness under your skin, increased urination, or burning when you urinate.

Report any new or worsening mental health symptoms to your doctor, such as: depression, mood or behavior changes, trouble sleeping, or thoughts about hurting yourself or others.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use belimumab if you are allergic to it.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• an active or chronic infection;

• depression or mental illness;

• suicidal thoughts or actions;

• cancer;

• a drug allergy;

• if you recently received a vaccine; or

• if you are using cyclophosphamide, biologic medicines, or other monoclonal antibody medicines.

Belimumab may increase your risk of certain cancers by changing the way your immune system works. Ask your doctor about your individual risk.

Some people have thoughts about suicide while using belimumab. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

Belimumab may affect the immune system of your baby if you use belimumab while you are pregnant. Use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy while you are using belimumab and for at least 4 months after your last dose. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant.

Belimumab may affect your baby's immune system, but having SLE during pregnancy may cause complications such as worsened lupus, eclampsia (dangerously high blood pressure), premature birth, miscarriage, or growth problems in the unborn baby. SLE in the mother may also cause lupus or heart problems to develop in the newborn. The benefit of treating SLE may outweigh any risks to the baby.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of belimumab on the baby. Make sure any doctor caring for your newborn baby knows if you used belimumab while you were pregnant.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

How is belimumab given?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Belimumab is given as an infusion into a vein, usually every 2 to 4 weeks. A healthcare provider will give you this injection. The medicine must be given slowly, and the infusion can take about 1 hour to complete.

In adults, belimumab may also be injected under the skin, usually once weekly on the same day each week. A healthcare provider may teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself. Do not inject this medicine into skin that is bruised, tender, red, or hard.

If you give injections at home, read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don't understand all instructions.

Prepare an injection only when you are ready to give it. Do not use if the medicine looks cloudy, has changed colors, or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

You may be given other medications to help prevent serious side effects or an allergic reaction. Keep using these medicines for as long as your doctor has prescribed.

Store the prefilled syringe or injection pen in its original packaging in the refrigerator. Do not freeze or expose to light or high heat. Do not shake the medicine.

Take the syringe or injection pen out of the refrigerator and let it reach room temperature for 30 minutes before injecting your dose. Do not use if the medicine has been left at room temperature longer than 12 hours. Do not put it back into the refrigerator. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

Each prefilled syringe or injection pen is for one use only. Throw it away after one use, even if there is still medicine left inside.

Throw away used needles, syringes, or injection pens in a puncture-proof "sharps" container. Follow state or local laws about how to dispose of this container. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.

Belimumab dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus:

IV: 10 mg/kg IV every 2 weeks for the first 3 doses and every 4 weeks thereafter
Subcutaneous: 200 mg subcutaneously once a week

Comments:
-Subcutaneous dosing is not based on weight.
-If transitioning from IV therapy to subcutaneous administration, the first subcutaneous dose should be administered 1 to 4 weeks after the last IV dose.

Use: For the treatment of patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who are receiving standard therapy

Usual Adult Dose for Lupus Nephritis:

IV: 10 mg/kg IV every 2 weeks for the first 3 doses and every 4 weeks thereafter
Subcutaneous:
-As initial therapy: 400 mg subcutaneously once a week for 4 doses, then 200 mg subcutaneously once a week thereafter

Comments:
-Patients may transition from IV therapy to subcutaneous therapy any time after completion of the first 2 IV doses; if transitioning, the first subcutaneous dose of 200 mg should be administered 1 to 2 weeks after the last IV dose.

Use: For the treatment of patients with active lupus nephritis who are receiving standard therapy

Usual Pediatric Dose for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus:

5 years and older: 10 mg/kg IV every 2 weeks for the first 3 doses and every 4 weeks thereafter

Uses:
-For the treatment of patients with active SLE who are receiving standard therapy
-For the treatment of patients with active lupus nephritis who are receiving standard therapy

Usual Pediatric Dose for Lupus Nephritis:

5 years and older: 10 mg/kg IV every 2 weeks for the first 3 doses and every 4 weeks thereafter

Uses:
-For the treatment of patients with active SLE who are receiving standard therapy
-For the treatment of patients with active lupus nephritis who are receiving standard therapy

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medicine as soon as you remember. You can either restart a weekly schedule based on the new injection day, or you can go back to your regular injection schedule. Do not use 2 injections on the same day.

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for an intravenous infusion of belimumab.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while using belimumab?

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using belimumab. The vaccine may not work as well and may not fully protect you from disease. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and nasal flu (influenza) vaccine.

What other drugs will affect belimumab?

Other drugs may affect belimumab, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Popular FAQ

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Copyright 1996-2024 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 9.01.