Home
Individuals and Families
Health and Wellness
Wellness Library
reslizumab

reslizumab

Pronunciation: res LIZ ue mab

Brand: Cinqair

What is the most important information I should know about reslizumab?

Some people have had allergic reactions to reslizumab during or shortly after the injection. Tell your caregiver if you feel nauseated, light-headed, itchy, or have swelling in your face or trouble breathing.

What is reslizumab?

Reslizumab is used together with other medicines to help control severe asthma in adults.

Reslizumab affects your immune system, reducing levels of a certain type of white blood cell that may contribute to the symptoms of asthma.

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

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving reslizumab?

You should not be treated with reslizumab if you are allergic to it.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had a parasite infection (such as roundworms or tapeworms).

Using reslizumab may increase your risk of developing cancer. Ask your doctor about this risk.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. It is not known whether reslizumab will harm an unborn baby. However, having uncontrolled asthma during pregnancy may cause premature birth, a low birth weight baby, or complications such as eclampsia (dangerously high blood pressure that can lead to medical problems in both mother and baby). The benefit of treating asthma may outweigh any risks to the baby.

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

How is reslizumab given?

Before you start treatment with reslizumab, your doctor may perform tests to measure your white blood cells.

Reslizumab is given as an infusion into a vein, usually once every 4 weeks. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

This medicine must be given slowly, and the infusion can take 20 to 50 minutes to complete.

You will be watched closely for a short time after each injection, to make sure you do not have an allergic reaction.

If you also use a steroid medication, you should not stop using it suddenly. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose.

Reslizumab is not a rescue medicine for asthma attacks. Seek medical attention if your breathing problems get worse quickly, or if you think your asthma medications are not working as well.

Use all asthma medications as directed. Your dose needs may change due to surgery, illness, stress, or a recent asthma attack. Do not change your dose or dosing schedule without your doctor's advice. Tell your doctor if any of your medicines seem to stop working.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your reslizumab injection.

What happens if I overdose?

Since this medicine is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.

What should I avoid while receiving reslizumab?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

What are the possible side effects of reslizumab?

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

Some side effects may occur during or shortly after the injection. Tell your caregiver if you feel dizzy, nauseated, light-headed, itchy, short of breath, or if you have swelling in your face.

Common side effects may include:

  • sore throat; or
  • muscle pain.

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.

What other drugs will affect reslizumab?

Other drugs may affect reslizumab, 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.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about reslizumab.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

© 2019 Cigna. All rights reserved
Language Assistance

Disclaimer

Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Group Universal Life (GUL) insurance plans are insured by CGLIC. Life (other than GUL), accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and disability plans are insured or administered by Life Insurance Company of North America, except in NY, where insured plans are offered by Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York (New York, NY). All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.

 Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna website. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. Details