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"Sorry, Lupus.
You aren't ruining my recipe today."

Erica

Real patient
compensated by GSK

When you’re ready for something more, BENLYSTA may help.

Learn how.

FREE BENLYSTA INFORMATION KIT

What is BENLYSTA?

BENLYSTA is a prescription medicine, given intravenously (IV) or subcutaneously, for adults with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus) or active lupus nephritis on other lupus medicines. BENLYSTA IV is approved in children aged 5 years and older with SLE on other lupus medicines. It is not known if BENLYSTA is safe and effective in people with severe active central nervous system lupus.

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We understand what it’s like to live with lupus. We also realize that today we face many challenges. We are here to help. On this website, you will find information — from daily tips to what to expect during treatment with BENLYSTA. Take a little time to explore all we have to offer.
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Designed for lupus

BENLYSTA is the first and only approved biologic designed for lupus in 50 years. It has been prescribed in over 58,000 adult patients since it was approved by the FDA for adults in 2011.*

 

The IV formulation gained approval in 2019 for use in children 5 years and older.

 

In 2020 BENLYSTA was approved for the treatment of lupus nephritis.

 

BENLYSTA is the only FDA-approved treatment option for both lupus and lupus nephritis.

 

* Source: Symphony Health, PayerSource, March 2011 to December 2018. Claims data based upon total unique number of patients who had at least one claim for BENLYSTA in the US only.

Have you been diagnosed with lupus nephritis?

If you have been diagnosed with lupus nephritis, a type of kidney disease that can arise due to lupus, BENLYSTA may help. Access information and resources specially created for you.

 

Learn about BENLYSTA for lupus nephritis

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Understanding Lupus

Coping with lupus can be tough — physically, emotionally, and socially. Find resources to help you make your experiences about so much more than lupus.

Learn more

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Understanding Lupus Nephritis

Living with lupus nephritis can feel overwhelming. Find resources that can help you cope better with lupus nephritis and the impacts it has on your life.

 

Learn More About Living with Lupus Nephritis

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What kind of medicine is BENLYSTA?

BENLYSTA (belimumab) is a biologic therapy, not a steroid. It is taken in addition to your other lupus medications and is available in three options for adults with lupus and lupus nephritis:

  • an autoinjector you self-inject
  • a prefilled syringe you self-inject
  • an intravenous (IV) infusion a healthcare provider administers

For children ages 5 and above with lupus, BENLYSTA is available as an IV infusion.

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Erica

Why BENLYSTA?

Whether you have lupus or lupus nephritis, adding BENLYSTA to your treatment plan may help.

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Lupus

In three clinical studies of adult patients with active lupus, BENLYSTA*:

  • Significantly reduced lupus disease activity mainly related to improvements in the immune system, muscles, joints, and skin.†
  • Significantly reduced risk of severe flares in two of the three studies.†
  • Reduced steroid dose by 25% or more (to a daily dose of 7.5 mg or less) during Weeks 40-52, in patients receiving 7.5 mg or higher daily doses of steroid at the start of the studies.†‡

* These studies were used in the FDA approval of BENLYSTA.
† Compared to other lupus medicines alone.
‡ A reduction of steroid dose was seen but was not statistically significant.

 

Results may vary

LEARN ABOUT BENLYSTA FOR LUPUS

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Lupus nephritis

In a 2-year clinical study of adult patients with active lupus nephritis, BENLYSTA:

  • Significantly reduced kidney disease activity, with maintained kidney function, reduced protein in the urine, and reduced need for rescue medicines.†§
  • Significantly reduced risk of kidney worsening.†

† Compared to other lupus medicines alone.

§ Rescue medicines such as steroids greater than 10 mg/day.

 

Results may vary

LEARN ABOUT BENLYSTA FOR LUPUS NEPHRITIS

Ask your doctor if BENLYSTA is right for you.

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When we say that "BENLYSTA Cares," what does that really mean?

Whether you're just getting started on BENLYSTA or you've been taking it for a while, we offer resources created with you in mind.

DISCOVER BENLYSTA CARES

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Ready for more?

As you and your doctor consider BENLYSTA, it’s natural to have questions. To learn more about how BENLYSTA works, understand information about ways to get your medicine, hear from others like you, and more, request our free BENLYSTA Information Kit.

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Erica

Frequently Asked Questions

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  • What are the common symptoms of lupus?

    Since SLE can affect many different parts of the body, it can cause a lot of different symptoms, and these symptoms may come and go. Also, symptoms may vary between one patient and the next.

    The most common signs and symptoms of lupus include fatigue (feeling tired often), fever, joint pain, stiffness and swelling, butterfly-shaped rash on the cheeks and bridge of the nose or rashes elsewhere on the body, sun sensitivity, fingers and toes that turn white or blue when exposed to cold or during stressful periods (Raynaud's phenomenon), shortness of breath, chest pain, dry eyes, headaches, and confusion and memory loss. Please note that this is not a complete list of all possible lupus symptoms. BENLYSTA may not help with all of these symptoms. Talk to your healthcare provider to discuss your symptoms.

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  • What is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)?

    SLE or lupus is a systemic autoimmune disease caused by your body's immune system attacking your tissues and organs. Inflammation caused by lupus can affect many different body systems, including your joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs.

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  • What is lupus nephritis?

    When lupus causes the immune system to attack and inflame your kidneys, it’s called "lupus nephritis." This inflammation can make your kidneys unable to properly remove waste from your blood or control the amount of fluids in your body.

    Lupus nephritis most often develops within 5 years after a lupus diagnosis. Talk to your doctor about the impact of lupus nephritis on your kidneys and strategies to monitor disease progression.

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  • How does BENLYSTA work?

    In many patients with lupus, certain white blood cells called autoreactive B cells (cells that react against the body) stay in the body longer than they should. 

    One of the important proteins for the growth of these B cells is called B-lymphocyte stimulator, or BLyS. BENLYSTA works by binding to BLyS. When BENLYSTA is attached to BLyS, BLyS can no longer bind to and stimulate the autoreactive B cells.

     

    Get more information on how BENLYSTA works

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