- Summary of biologics currently approved for severe asthma
| Drug | Dose and route | Indication | Mechanism of action |
| Dupilumab (Dupixent) | 400-600 mg SC loading dose followed by 200 or 300 mg SC every 2 wk | ≥12 yr old; AEC ≥150 cells/µL or FeNO ≥25 ppb with OCS-dependent | Anti–IL-4R; binds to IL-4 receptor α; blocks signaling of IL-4 and IL-13 |
| Benralizumab (Fasenra) | 30 mg SC every 4 wk for three doses; followed by every 8 wk subsequently | ≥18 yr old; severe eosinophilic asthma | Anti–IL-5; binds to IL-5 receptor α; causes apoptosis of eosinophils and basophils |
| Reslizumab (Cinqair) | Weight-based dosing of 3 mg/kg IV every 4 wk | ≥18 yr old; AEC ≥400 cells/µL | Anti–IL-5; binds to IL-5 ligand; prevents IL-5 from binding to its receptor |
| Mepolizumab (Nucala) | 100 mg SC every 4 week | ≥6 yr old; AEC ≥150 cells/µL or ≥300 cells/µL at least once a year | Anti–IL-5; binds to IL-5 ligand; prevents IL-5 from binding to its receptor |
| Omalizumab (Xolair) | Based on weight and total IgE, SC every 2-4 wk | ≥6 yr old; positive allergy testing (allergic asthma); IgE, 30–1500 IU/mL | Anti-IgE; prevents IgE from binding to its receptor on mast cells and basophils |
IV: Intravenous, SC: subcutaneous, IgE: immunoglobulin E, wk: week, yr: year, IL: interleukin, ACE: absolute eosinophil count, FeNO: fractional nitric oxide