Working With Your Care Team

Explore the resources below for help on your BENLYSTA journey.

What type of doctor is right for me?

Rheumatologist

Rheumatologists are doctors who specialize in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases like lupus. You can see a rheumatologist or your primary care doctor if you have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or lupus nephritis (LN).

Nephrologist

Nephrologists are doctors who specialize in diseases of the kidney. You can see a nephrologist as well as a rheumatologist if you have lupus nephritis.

It is key to talk to your doctor about your lupus and lupus nephritis treatment

A collaborative relationship with your doctor will allow the two of you to find the best treatment for you. Maximizing your time during your appointment is important, so make sure you arrive prepared. Your doctor should be there for you every step of the way to help with any questions or concerns that may arise. 

 

Need help thinking of what to talk to your doctor about during your appointment? Check out our Doctor Discussion Guide below.

 

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Helpful tips to prepare for your doctor visit

What questions should I ask my doctor?

  • What symptoms might I experience with lupus or lupus nephritis?
  • What are my treatment options?
  • What should I know about organ damage?
  • How long before I feel the effects of my treatment?
  • What side effects could my treatment have?
  • How long will I be on my treatment?
  • I’m still experiencing flares. What else can I do to prevent flares?
  • What should I do if I’m still experiencing symptoms on treatment?                                                

Feel free to add questions of your own.

How do I best describe how I’m feeling to my doctor?

  • Make sure to write down how you are feeling every day. It can be hard to remember everything when you get into the doctor’s office.
  • Try to be as detailed as possible when describing your symptoms or side effects from current medications. Be sure to include how frequently they occur so your doctor gets a better picture of what’s going on.
  • Be honest about how you are feeling—your doctor’s office should be a judgment-free zone to focus on your health.
  • If you feel like you are having trouble talking with your doctor, you can always bring a family member or friend to help you during your appointment.
  • If you don’t feel comfortable speaking with your doctor, you can look for another doctor who may be a better fit for your treatment journey.

Get a blank Doctor Discussion Guide

Fill out a blank guide before your next appointment, or share it with someone who may find it helpful.

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Finding the right doctor for you

Do you have a doctor who can help you manage your systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or lupus nephritis and can provide information about treatment options, including BENLYSTA? A specialized doctor could help you determine whether BENLYSTA could be right for you. Find one in your area.

The information provided is for informational purposes only and is not meant to replace your doctor’s medical advice or information from your plan about preferred doctors.

You may search by ZIP code. You may also narrow your search to doctors who have been provided information about BENLYSTA by GSK. Any information you provide is used solely to help you find a physician. It will not be disclosed to third parties. Please note: This list is pulled from a publicly available nationwide database of doctors who have indicated their specialty. While it is updated regularly, this list may not have the latest provider information, and results shown may not reflect all of the lupus specialists in your area. GSK has compiled the list of doctors who have been provided information about BENLYSTA by GSK in this directory.

Inclusion of a physician is not and does not imply a referral, an endorsement, or a recommendation by GSK. Doctors included in this list have not endorsed GSK or any of its products. Participation by physicians in payer networks may vary. You should verify a physician’s participation/acceptance of your health insurance. Users of this website are solely responsible for communications and interactions with any of the listed physicians, and any information users send them is not governed by our Legal Notice and Privacy Policy. Users are responsible for compliance with state and federal laws regulating physician referrals, such as anti-kickback laws, the Stark Law, or state professional practice restrictions. 

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Approved Use & Safety Info

Approved Use

Important Safety Information

Approved Use

What is BENLYSTA?

BENLYSTA is a prescription medicine used to treat adults and children 5 years of age and older with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus) or active lupus nephritis (LN) (lupus-related kidney inflammation) who are receiving other lupus medicines. It is not known if BENLYSTA is safe/effective in people with severe active central nervous system lupus.

 

It is not known if BENLYSTA is safe and effective for use in children less than 5 years of age.

 

It is not known if BENLYSTA, given under the skin (subcutaneously), is safe and effective for use in children who weigh less than 33 pounds (15 kilograms).

Important Safety Information

Do not use BENLYSTA if you are allergic to belimumab or any ingredients in BENLYSTA.

 

The most important information about BENLYSTA

 

Immunosuppressive agents, including BENLYSTA, can cause serious side effects. Some of these may cause death.

  • Infections: fever, chills, pain or burning with urination, urinating often, coughing up mucus, or warm, red, or painful skin or sores on your body. Infections could be serious, leading to hospitalization or death.
  • Allergic (hypersensitivity) reactions: itching, swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat, trouble breathing, anxiousness, low blood pressure, dizziness or fainting, headache, nausea, or skin rash. Serious allergic reactions can happen the day of, or in days after, receiving BENLYSTA and may cause death.
  • Mental health problems and suicide: thoughts of suicide or dying, attempt to commit suicide, trouble sleeping (insomnia), new or worse anxiety or depression, acting on dangerous impulses, other unusual changes in your behavior or mood, or thoughts of hurting yourself or others.

 

Before receiving BENLYSTA, discuss with your healthcare provider if you:

  • think you have an infection or have infections that keep coming back. Do not use BENLYSTA if you have an infection unless your healthcare provider tells you to.
  • have or have had mental health problems such as depression or thoughts of suicide.
  • have recently received or may need a vaccination. If you are receiving BENLYSTA, you should not receive live vaccines.
  • are taking any medicines, including prescription, over-the-counter, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
  • are allergic to other medicines.
  • are receiving other biologic medicines.  
  • have or have had any type of cancer.
  • have any other medical conditions.
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is unknown if BENLYSTA will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about whether to prevent pregnancy while on BENLYSTA. If you choose to prevent pregnancy, you should use an effective method of birth control for at least 4 months after the final dose of BENLYSTA.
  • become pregnant while receiving BENLYSTA, talk to your healthcare provider about enrolling in the BENLYSTA Pregnancy Registry. You can enroll in this registry by calling 1-877-311-8972 or go to https://mothertobaby.org/ongoing-study/benlysta-belimumab/.
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is unknown if BENLYSTA passes into your breast milk.

 

Possible side effects of BENLYSTA

  • Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). PML is a serious and life-threatening brain infection. PML can result in death or severe disability. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you notice any new or worsening medical problems: memory loss, trouble thinking, dizziness or loss of balance, difficulty talking or walking, or loss of vision.
  • Cancer. Medicines that affect the immune system, including BENLYSTA, may increase your risk of certain cancers.

 

The most common side effects of BENLYSTA are nausea, diarrhea, fever, stuffy or runny nose and sore throat, persistent cough, trouble sleeping, leg or arm pain, depression, headache, and pain, redness, itching, or swelling at the site of injection (when given subcutaneously). These are not all the possible side effects of BENLYSTA. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

 

Please see Prescribing Information and Medication Guide for BENLYSTA.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report negative side effects to GSK at gsk.public.reportum.com or 1-888-825-5249.
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Pay as little as zero dollars

Eligible commercially insured patients may pay as little as $0 for BENLYSTA, subject to program maximums.*

*Program annual maximums apply. Visit BenlystaCopayProgram.com for information about eligibility and full program terms and conditions.