BENLYSTA Infusion for
Intravenous Use
Erica
Real patient
compensated by GSK
BENLYSTA is available as an intravenous (IV) infusion for patients ≥5 years old with lupus and adults with active lupus nephritis.
You may prefer to receive BENLYSTA from your healthcare provider. Infusions are usually given at a doctor’s office or an infusion center.
BENLYSTA IV:
What You Need to Know
When you are administered BENLYSTA by your healthcare provider, you will be monitored before, during, and immediately after the infusion.
Where it happens
- Your healthcare provider will discuss the most suitable place for you to receive BENLYSTA IV.
- Doctor’s office
- Hospital
- Infusion center
How long it takes
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How often it happens
- For the first three IV infusions, BENLYSTA is given every 2 weeks.
- After that, BENLYSTA is given once every 4 weeks.
It's important to continue to receive BENLYSTA as prescribed, even if you're feeling better. And if you’re not feeling better right away, talk to your doctor about how BENLYSTA may take time to work in your body.
Talk to your doctor if you experience any side effects.
Important tips to remember before your infusion
Before your infusion
- Your healthcare provider will ask questions about how you’re feeling and your medical history, and take measurements, such as temperature, pulse rate, and blood pressure.
- They will weigh you to calculate the dosage.
- They may give you an antihistamine before your infusion to help reduce your chance of having an allergic reaction.
Important tips to remember after your infusion
After your infusion
You may feel some discomfort where the IV line was inserted. This discomfort should go away within a few hours.
- If you took an antihistamine, you may feel a little drowsy and want to go home to rest.
- The drowsiness could impact your driving, so you may want to consider having someone drive you home.
- Depending on how you feel, you may be able to return to your usual activities.
Contact your healthcare provider if you don't feel well or have soreness or tenderness at the infusion site that does not go away.
The infusion experience
Learn from patients about starting BENLYSTA IV
Susan: Of course, I was a little apprehensive at my first infusion, but I had done my homework, so my biggest concern was if they’d be able to get my vein right away. Thankfully, they did.
Michelle: Before they start the infusion, they’ll take your vitals and weight so they can calculate the right dosage just for you. Once they have the medicine ready, they will prep your arm and choose a vein. I know for me, the very first infusion, it was definitely a little nerve-wracking… The nurses walked me through everything, reassured me they were there, every step of the way. And I remember just looking up at that infusion bag and saying: “well this is it -- (PAUSE) I really hope this helps.”
Susan: I think sitting in the chair, when I started to receive my infusion for the first time, I was just – I was actually hopeful. I just had this incredible sense of hope that this might be the drug that would help me.
Morgan: During my first BENLYSTA infusion, I was certainly nervous. I remember it being cold and quiet in the infusion clinic. My mother was there with me – she’s always there helping me and coming along for the ride. Those poor nurses – I never stopped talking.
Michelle: The best thing is to think about this, as you know, an hour, an hour and a half of time, just for yourself. If you like to read, bring a book. If you’re someone who likes to knit or do things like that, bring something that is, you know, something you can do on your time…this is about you.
Morgan: During my BENLYSTA infusions – it usually takes around an hour – and this time is usually spent for me. It’s my time. It’s my time to sit and reflect on things that are happening in my life. During my BENLYSTA infusions, I typically have snacks – of course, cuz you know, you sit there for long enough – and books to read. Obviously, I have – I like to chat. There’s a lot of other patients around usually in the clinic, so I’m able to converse with them. And that helps to pass that time.
Important information to know
Allergic (hypersensitivity) and infusion reactions
- Serious reactions can happen on the day of – or in the days after – receiving BENLYSTA and may cause death.
- Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a reaction: itching; swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat; trouble breathing; anxiousness; low blood pressure; dizziness or fainting; headache; nausea; or skin rash, redness, or swelling.
- Tell your healthcare provider or get emergency medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms.
It’s normal to have questions or concerns regarding a new treatment. Be sure you ask your healthcare provider what to do if:
- You miss your infusion appointment.
- You are unsure how often you should receive BENLYSTA.
- You think you feel better and want to discontinue your treatment, as it is important to continue to receive BENLYSTA as prescribed.
For more information on BENLYSTA IV, you can contact BENLYSTA Cares.
Call BENLYSTA Cares: 1-877-4-BENLYSTA (1-877-423-6597), 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
Experience BENLYSTA
Discover stories from those living with lupus and using BENLYSTA. Listen to people discuss starting BENLYSTA, working with their healthcare team, building support systems, and sharing their tips for those with lupus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Want to learn more about resources for BENLYSTA?
Whether you are just getting started with BENLYSTA infusion, or have been taking BENLYSTA for a while, BENLYSTA Cares offers support and ongoing resources throughout the course of your treatment.
Looking for BENLYSTA coverage assistance?
With BENLYSTA infusion treatment, you will also have access to assistance in understanding your health insurance coverage with BENLYSTA Gateway & Co-pay Savings Program.
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