What is Cinqair® (Reslizumab)?
Cinqair® is a biologic medication. Its generic name is reslizumab. It belongs to a drug class known as monoclonal antibodies.
Cinqair is approved by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat severe eosinophilic asthma. It is available as an intravenous infusion into a blood vessel. Cinqair can be given in a doctor’s office, an infusion center, or at your home by a qualified healthcare professional.
Cinqair is designed to stop inflammation before it can start. The medication can help prevent symptoms in the lungs and airways and reduce the risk of clinical asthma exacerbations. Cinqair can also help with improving lung function.
What is Cinqair used for?
Cinqair is indicated for severe asthma with an eosinophilic phenotype for adults 18 years of age and older. It is not indicated for any other eosinophilic condition or to treat acute asthma symptoms.
How does Cinqair work?
Cinqair works by targeting and blocking the protein called interleukin-5 (IL-5). IL-5 binds to cell surface receptors involved in the production and activation of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell). Cinqair blocks IL-5 from binding and interacting with the receptors. By doing so, the drug helps reduce the number of eosinophils that cause inflammation in the lungs and airways.
Cinqair is an add-on maintenance treatment, meaning that it can be taken with other prescribed asthma medications. This includes inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta2-agonists, which are daily controller medications. The combination can improve inadequately controlled asthma.
If you’re prescribed Cinqair, work together with your doctor on a treatment plan for severe eosinophilic asthma. Follow it closely, as the specific combination of medications you’re prescribed may vary based on the severity of your condition. Regular appointments and communication with your doctor can ensure your treatment plan is effective.
Cinqair dosing
Cinqair is a 3 mg dosage given once every four weeks. It is administered through an intravenous infusion (IV infusion).
Cinqair infusions
The Cinqair infusion is administered through a small needle inserted into a vein by a healthcare provider. You can anticipate the Cinqair infusion to take approximately 20-50 minutes per dose. The duration of your infusion depends on both the total volume to be administered and the patient’s weight.
You can choose to receive the medication at your doctor’s office, an infusion center or at home. If you choose to take it at home, a healthcare provider will come to your home, measure out the dose, and administer the IV infusion.
Cinqair ingredients
Active ingredient: Reslizumab
Inactive ingredients: acetic acid, sodium acetate, sucrose and water.
Cinqair side effects
People on Cinqair may experience mild or serious adverse effects. The most common side effects are:
- throat pain
- muscle aches and pains throughout the body
Another potential side effect is elevated levels of creatine phosphokinase (CPK) in the blood. CPK is an enzyme found in your heart, brain and skeletal muscles. It helps regulate the body’s energy levels. It usually indicates an injury to the muscles. It can lead to symptoms such as body aches, fatigue, numbness, tingling, or dark urine.
In rare cases, people on reslizumab treatment may develop abnormal growths of cells. These cells may move to body tissue and become a precancerous or cancerous tumor. If you have a family history of cancer, Cinqair could increase your risk of getting cancer. Talk with your doctor about this risk and whether Cinqair is right for you.
Some people may experience an allergic reaction soon after the Cinqair infusion. Tell your healthcare provider or get emergency help right away if the allergic reaction is severe. This is anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening condition. Symptoms of anaphylaxis may include:
- hives on the skin
- swelling of your face, mouth and/or tongue
- breathing problems
- nausea, abdominal cramps or vomiting
- low blood pressure
- fainting, dizziness, feeling lightheaded
Your doctor or healthcare provider will administer epinephrine as treatment for a severe allergic reaction. Epinephrine is the first line of treatment for anaphylaxis.
Before taking Cinqair, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions. Provide a list of any other medications you’re taking that could cause drug interactions. Do not stop taking other medications unless instructed to do so by your healthcare provider.
How much does Cinqair cost?
Biologics are expensive medications due to their complex production process. Cinqair’s list price is $3,615.79 for three 100 mg/10 ml vials. Most people will not pay the list price. The actual cost will vary based on your insurance coverage.
Check your health insurance plan to see if it covers Cinqair. Under the Cinqair Cost Support Program, eligible people with commercial health insurance can pay as little as $0 per dose in out-of-pocket costs for Cinqair, up to $10,000 per year. If you are eligible for the Cost Support Program, you will receive a Program Card and information on how much you’ll pay in out-of-pocket costs. The program does not cover the cost of doctor visits, home visits, evaluation or testing.
Contact your Medicare plan provider to find out whether Cinqair is covered. Cinqair may be covered under some Medicaid programs, but the costs may vary depending on the state.
People who are uninsured or underinsured and cannot afford Cinqair can contact the Teva Cares Foundation for assistance. Teva Cares is an independent nonprofit program that seeks to provide Cinqair at no cost to eligible patients.
Charitable organizations such as The Assistance Fund, Inc., Patient Advocate Foundation and The HealthWell Foundation are dedicated to offering financial support to patients with specific medical conditions, irrespective of their chosen treatment. People with commercial or public insurance, including those under Medicare and Medicaid, can reach out directly to these foundations for financial assistance.
