IV Infusion

If you prefer to receive BENLYSTA intravenous (IV) infusions, you can do so with the comfort of having a healthcare provider monitor you during and immediately after the infusion.

What to know about IV infusion

For people 5 years of age and older with active lupus or active lupus nephritis, BENLYSTA can be given through IV infusion. IV infusion is a treatment method that delivers BENLYSTA directly into your bloodstream.

When you are administered BENLYSTA by your healthcare provider, you will be monitored before, during, and immediately after the infusion.

See Medication Guide for more information.

Where it happens

You and your doctor will decide where you’ll receive your infusions: at the doctor’s office, an infusion center, or a hospital.

How long it takes

Infusions take approximately 1 hour, but preparation time before and observation time after the infusion may vary.

How often it happens

For the first 3 infusions, BENLYSTA is given once every 2 weeks. After that, BENLYSTA is given once every 4 weeks.

Understand how the IV infusion process works.

See Full Dosing Schedule

What to expect with BENLYSTA IV administration

If you have questions about infusion appointments, here are a few tips to help you prepare. Your doctor can answer questions about scheduling infusions and help you understand what to expect.

    It can take some time before you may notice any changes from treatment with BENLYSTA. Talk to your doctor about what you can expect while on treatment.

    Fitting IV infusions into your routine

    If scheduling IV infusions seems like a shift in your routine, keep in mind that the process will become more familiar as you go along. You’ll learn more about what to expect from the infusion, what to tell the doctor, nurse, or staff assisting you, and what to bring to help the time pass.

    Dosing schedule for lupus and lupus nephritis

    Your doctor will help you schedule your IV infusions and determine your correct dose.

    View Medication Guide
    Doses 1-3: one infusion every two weeks

    Doses 1-3 Once every 2 weeks

    Doses 4+: one infusion every four weeks

    Doses 4+ Once every 4 weeks

    BENLYSTA Copay Program and Savings

    The BENLYSTA Copay Program helps eligible commercially insured patients with their eligible out-of-pocket costs* for BENLYSTA. Visit BenlystaCopayProgram.com for information about eligibility and full program terms and conditions.

    Learn About Savings & Support

    * Program annual maximums apply. Eligibility for the BENLYSTA Copay Program must be determined by the GSK Copay Program.

    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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    Explore the GSK Help Center website to find customer service support and contact information.

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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.