nucala
Pharmaranks rates Nucala 3.5/5 for recall safety — an independent score from its FDA recall history and its manufacturer's record. Nucala (Mepolizumab) is an interleukin-5 antagonist used to treat Asthma.
Mepolizumab · by Glaxosmithkline
Based on 1 source · Recall-safety score from FDA recall history — this product's own recalls and its manufacturer's record. Not an efficacy or quality rating. methodology →
Key facts
- Active ingredient
- Mepolizumab
- Drug class
- Interleukin-5 Antagonist
- Form
- Injectable, Solution
- Strength
- Mepolizumab 100MG
- Type
- Prescription (Rx)
- Brand or generic
- Brand-name
- May treat
- asthma
- Manufacturer
- Glaxosmithkline
- FDA application
- BLA125526
What is Nucala?
From the FDA label:Mepolizumab is a humanized IL-5 antagonist monoclonal antibody. Mepolizumab is produced by recombinant DNA technology in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Mepolizumab has a molecular weight of approximately 149 kDa. NUCALA for injection is a sterile, preservative-free, white to off-white, lyophilized powder in a single-dose vial for subcutaneous injection after reconstitution. Upon reconstitution with 1.2 mL of Sterile Water for Injection, USP, the resulting concentration is 100 mg/mL and delivers 1 mL [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2 )] . Each vial delivers 100 mg of mepolizumab, polysorbate 80 (0.67 mg), sodium phosphate dibasic heptahydrate (7.14 mg), and sucrose (160 mg), with a pH of 7.0. The vial stopper is not made with natural rubber latex. NUCALA injection is a sterile, preservative-free, clear to opalescent, colorless to pale yellow to pale brown solution for subcutaneous use. NUCALA injection is supplied in a single-dose, 1-mL, prefilled autoinjector with a fixed 29‑gauge, half-inch needle and in a single-dose, 1-mL, prefilled syringe with a fixed 29‑gauge, half-inch needle with a needle guard. Each 1 mL delivers 100 mg mepolizumab, citric acid monohydrate (0.95 mg), EDTA disodium dihydrate (0.019 mg), polysorbate 80 (0.20 mg), sodium phosphate dibasic heptahydrate (4.16 mg), and sucrose (120 mg), with a pH of 6.3. NUCALA injection is supplied in a single-dose,…
How to use
Nucala is sold in more than one form (Injectable and Solution), and each is dosed differently. The instructions below come from the FDA label for application BLA125526 — follow the label that came with the product you were actually prescribed.
Severe asthma in patients aged 12 years and older: 100 mg administered subcutaneously once every 4 weeks. ( 2.1 ) • Severe asthma in patients aged 6 to 11 years: 40 mg administered subcutaneously once every 4 weeks. ( 2.1 ) • CRSwNP: 100 mg administered subcutaneously once every 4 weeks. ( 2.1 ) • COPD: 100 mg administered subcutaneously once every 4 weeks. ( 2.1 ) • EGPA: 300 mg administered subcutaneously once every 4 weeks. ( 2.1 ) • HES: 300 mg administered subcutaneously once every 4 weeks. ( 2.1 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosage NUCALA is for subcutaneous use only, and should be injected into the upper arm, thigh, or abdomen [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2 , 2.3 )]. Table 1. Recommended Dosage of NUCALA a 300 mg dose is administered as 3 separate 100 mg dose injections administered at least 5 cm (approximately 2 inches) apart. Indication Adults Pediatric Patients Severe asthma 100 mg every 4 weeks • 12 to 17 years of age: 100 mg every 4 weeks • 6 to 11 years of age: 40 mg every 4 weeks Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps 100 mg every 4 weeks Not applicable Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 100 mg every 4 weeks Not applicable Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis 300 mg a every 4 weeks Not applicable Hypereosinophilic syndrome 300 mg a every 4 weeks 12 to 17 years of age: 300 mg a every 4 weeks 2.2 Preparation and Administration of NUCALA for Injection Vial…
Side effects
The following adverse reactions are described in greater detail in other sections: • Hypersensitivity reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Opportunistic infections: herpes zoster [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥5%): • Asthma: Headache, injection site reaction, back pain, and fatigue. ( 6.1 ) • CRSwNP: Oropharyngeal pain and arthralgia. ( 6.1 ) • COPD: Back pain, diarrhea, and cough. ( 6.1 ) • EGPA and HES: Most common adverse reactions are similar to asthma. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact GlaxoSmithKline at 1-888-825-5249 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared with rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Adverse Reactions in Adult and Adolescent Patients Aged 12 Years and Older with Severe Asthma A total of 1,327 patients with severe asthma were evaluated in 3 randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter trials of 24 to 52 weeks’ duration (Severe Asthma Trials DREAM, MENSA, and SIRIUS). Of these, 1,192 had a history of 2 or more exacerbations in the year prior to enrollment despite regular use of high-dose ICS plus additional…
Warnings
Important safety information
Hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis, angioedema, bronchospasm, hypotension, urticaria, rash) have occurred after administration of NUCALA. Discontinue NUCALA in the event of a hypersensitivity reaction. ( 5.1 ) • Herpes zoster infections have occurred in patients receiving NUCALA. Consider vaccination if medically appropriate. ( 5.3 ) • Do not discontinue systemic or inhaled corticosteroids abruptly upon initiation of therapy with NUCALA. Decrease corticosteroids gradually, if appropriate. ( 5.4 ) • Treat patients with pre-existing helminth infections before therapy with NUCALA. If patients become infected while receiving treatment with NUCALA and do not respond to anti-helminth treatment, discontinue NUCALA until parasitic infection resolves. ( 5.5 ) 5.1 Hypersensitivity Reactions Hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis, angioedema, bronchospasm, hypotension, urticaria, rash) have occurred following administration of NUCALA. These reactions generally occur within hours of administration, but in some instances can have a delayed onset (i.e., days). In the event of a hypersensitivity reaction, NUCALA should be discontinued [see Contraindications ( 4 )] . 5.2 Acute Symptoms of Asthma or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or Acute Deteriorating Disease NUCALA should not be used to treat acute symptoms or acute exacerbations of asthma or COPD. Do not use NUCALA to treat acute bronchospasm or status asthmaticus. Patients should seek medical advice if their asthma or COPD remains uncontrolled or worsens after initiation of treatment with NUCALA. 5.3 Opportunistic Infections: Herpes Zoster Herpes zoster has occurred in subjects receiving NUCALA 100 mg in controlled clinical trials [see Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )] . Consider vaccination if medically appropriate. 5.4 Reduction of Corticosteroid Dosage Do not discontinue systemic or inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) abruptly upon initiation of therapy with NUCALA. Reductions in corticosteroid dosage, if appropriate, should be gradual and performed under the direct supervision of a physician. Reduction in corticosteroid dosage may be associated with systemic withdrawal symptoms and/or unmask conditions previously suppressed by systemic corticosteroid therapy. 5.5 Parasitic (Helminth) Infection Eosinophils may be involved in the immunological response to some helminth infections. Patients with known parasitic infections were excluded from participation in clinical trials. It is unknown if NUCALA will influence a patient’s response against parasitic infections. Treat patients with pre-existing helminth infections before initiating therapy with NUCALA. If patients become infected while receiving treatment with NUCALA and do not respond to anti-helminth treatment, discontinue treatment with NUCALA until infection resolves.
Who should not take Nucala
NUCALA is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to mepolizumab or excipients in the formulation [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ), Description ( 11 )] . History of hypersensitivity to mepolizumab or excipients in the formulation. ( 4 )
Overdose — what happens if you take too much
There is no specific treatment for an overdose with mepolizumab. If overdose occurs, the patient should be treated supportively with appropriate monitoring as necessary. Consider contacting the Poison Help line (1-800-222-1222) or a medical toxicologist for additional overdose management recommendations.
U.S. Poison Control: call or text 1-800-222-1222 (free, 24/7). In an emergency call 911. From the FDA label; not medical advice.
Interactions
Formal drug interaction trials have not been performed with NUCALA.
Storing Nucala, and how long it keeps
Quoted from this product’s own FDA label. Storage belongs to the product and its device, not to the drug in general — a pen and a tablet of the same medicine are kept completely differently.
- “Discard if left out of the refrigerator for more than 7 days.”
- “Discard if not administered within 8 hours.”
- “If the reconstituted solution is not used immediately: • store below 30°C (86°F), • do not freeze, and • discard if not used within 8 hours of reconstitution.”
Drug class
May treat (source: NIH RxClass)
See how Nucala ranks — best-rated interleukin-5 antagonist for:
Dosage forms
Injectable and Solution
The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.
Ways to save
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Frequently asked questions
- What does Nucala treat?
- Nucala (Mepolizumab) may be used to treat asthma, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.
- How is Nucala rated?
- pharmaranks gives Nucala a composite score of 3.5 out of 5, currently based on 1 weighted source (FDA regulatory recall-safety data weighted highest). See our methodology at /how-we-rate.
- Is there a coupon or discount for Nucala?
- pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Nucala. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
- Who makes Nucala?
- Nucala is marketed by Glaxosmithkline. You can see Glaxosmithkline's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
- Is Nucala a brand-name or generic drug?
- Nucala is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Mepolizumab.
- Is Nucala available over the counter?
- No. Nucala is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
- What forms does Nucala come in?
- Nucala is currently marketed as injectable and solution, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
- What class of drug is Nucala?
- Nucala is classified as interleukin-5 antagonist, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.
- Is Nucala FDA-registered?
- Nucala is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number BLA125526. You can verify this on its official FDA label.
- Has Nucala been recalled by the FDA?
- Yes. Nucala has 1 recorded FDA recall event in the openFDA enforcement database. A recall removes specific lots from the market — usually for manufacturing, contamination, potency, or labeling issues — and does not mean the drug is unsafe to take; your specific lot was almost certainly never affected. This recall history is factored into its safety score above. Always check the FDA recall database or your pharmacist for current alerts.
- Is Nucala safe?
- There's no single safe-or-not verdict. pharmaranks gives Nucala a recall-safety score of 70/100, based on its FDA recall history (1 recorded recall event) — not an efficacy or side-effect rating. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings before use, and always consult a licensed professional.
- What are the side effects of Nucala?
- Nucala's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: The following adverse reactions are described in greater detail in other sections: • Hypersensitivity reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Opportunistic infections: herpes zoster [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] Most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥5%): • Asthma: Headache,… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.
What people report to the FDA about MEPOLIZUMAB
The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) collects reports from patients and clinicians. It holds 16,643 reports naming MEPOLIZUMAB — the active ingredient in Nucala, and the FDA flagged 97% of those reports as serious. The effects reported most often — leaving out reports about overdose, misuse or the condition being treated, which dominate the raw list for common medicines:
- asthma5,756 reports
- dyspnoea4,550 reports
- pneumonia2,903 reports
- wheezing2,759 reports
- cough2,450 reports
- loss of personal independence in daily activities1,769 reports
- therapeutic product effect incomplete1,655 reports
- malaise1,255 reports
Read these as a signal, not a rate. A report does not mean MEPOLIZUMAB caused the effect — anyone can file one, and many describe people taking several medicines for several conditions. Crucially there is no denominator: FAERS does not record how many people took the drug, so these counts cannot be turned into “X% of patients” — a bigger number often just means a more widely used or more talked-about drug. Duplicates exist, and publicity drives reporting. For what is actually established, read the FDA label.
Source: openFDA drug/event (FAERS), retrieved September 25, 2026.
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nucala
70/100