EGPA is a rare autoimmune disorder
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare autoimmune disorder that often results in inflammation of blood vessels and a high number of white blood cells known as eosinophils (e-o-SIN-o-phils).
Inflammation and damage to your blood vessels related to EGPA can restrict the amount of blood that reaches tissues and organs throughout your body. This can cause different effects throughout the body and irreversible damage if left untreated.
Learn more about EGPA and talk to your doctor about treatment options. You may feel better about your treatment plan and managing the condition.
What are eosinophils, and how do they relate to EGPA?
Everyone has eosinophils. They are white blood cells, a normal part of your immune system. If you have EGPA, that means your eosinophil count is high. A high number of eosinophils in your blood can lead to inflammation throughout your body to various tissues and organs.
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What are some symptoms of EGPA?
While there are many symptoms of EGPA, a few of the most common include:
Wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, chest tightness
Difficulty with smell, nasal congestion, frequent sinus infections
Numbness and tingling in the feet and hands
Rashes, fever, fatigue, pain, and weight loss
Symptoms can vary in patients. For some people, too many eosinophils can also cause airway inflammation that leads to asthma attacks. This type of asthma is known as eosinophilic asthma, which helps to explain why people with EGPA often have asthma.
If you are experiencing any of the asthma symptoms above, reach out to your doctor to discuss your conditions. You may be referred to a specialist for EGPA, which could include rheumatologists, allergists, pulmonologists, or any other specialist your doctor recommends.
What are the stages of EGPA?
People with EGPA often experience the condition in stages, but it’s important to know that not everyone develops all of these symptoms, nor will they experience them in the same order:
How is EGPA usually treated?
EGPA is a chronic disease; it usually requires treatment with close supervision from your doctor. A variety of treatments may be considered to help treat your EGPA. Your doctor will discuss which treatment options may be appropriate for you.
Talking to your doctor is important when developing your EGPA treatment plan.
Potential Health Risks of Oral Steroids
If you have already been diagnosed with EGPA, you may be on oral steroids to help treat your condition and control your symptoms. Daily use of oral steroids can have negative impacts on your health including weight gain; heart conditions, including heart failure; depression; decreased bone density and increased fractures; and increased risk of diabetes. Healthcare professionals aim for the lowest effective dose of steroids to help limit these risks and manage your disease.
Do not stop or change your corticosteroid medicines unless instructed by your healthcare provider.
FASENRA is approved to treat adults with EGPA.
frequently asked questions
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare autoimmune disorder that often results in inflammation of blood vessels and a high number of white blood cells known as eosinophils (e-o-SIN-o-phils). Inflammation and damage to your blood vessels related to EGPA can restrict the amount of blood that reaches tissues and organs throughout your body. This can cause different reactions throughout the body and irreversible damage if left untreated.
While there are many symptoms of EGPA, a few of the most common include:
- Wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, chest tightness
- Difficulty with smell, nasal congestion, frequent sinus infections
- Numbness and tingling in the feet and hands
- Rashes, fever, fatigue, pain, and weight loss
Symptoms can vary in patients. For some people, too many eosinophils can also cause airway inflammation that leads to asthma attacks. This type of asthma is known as eosinophilic asthma, which helps to explain why people with EGPA often have asthma.
If you are experiencing asthma symptoms above, reach out to your doctor to discuss your conditions. You may be referred to a specialist for EGPA, which could include rheumatologists, allergists, pulmonologists, or any other specialist your doctor recommends.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Do not use FASENRA if you are allergic to benralizumab or any of the ingredients in FASENRA. Do not use to treat sudden breathing problems.
FASENRA may cause serious side effects, including:
- allergic (hypersensitivity) reactions, including anaphylaxis. Serious allergic reactions can happen after you get your FASENRA injection. Allergic reactions can sometimes happen hours or days after you get your injection. Tell your healthcare provider or get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction:
- swelling of your face, mouth and tongue
- breathing problems
- fainting, dizziness, feeling lightheaded (low blood pressure)
- rash
- hives
Before using FASENRA, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- are taking oral or inhaled corticosteroid medicines. Do not stop taking your corticosteroid medicines unless instructed by your healthcare provider. This may cause other symptoms that were controlled by the corticosteroid medicine to come back
- have a parasitic (helminth) infection
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if FASENRA will harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant during your treatment with FASENRA
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if FASENRA passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you use FASENRA
- are taking prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements.
Do not stop taking your other medicines unless instructed to do so by your healthcare provider. Tell your healthcare provider if your condition does not get better or if it gets worse after you start treatment with FASENRA.
The most common side effects of FASENRA:
- adults and children 6 years and older with asthma include headache and sore throat
- adults with EGPA include headache
- adults and children 12 years and older with HES include headache, allergic reactions, and flu-like symptoms
These are not all the possible side effects of FASENRA.
APPROVED USE
FASENRA is a prescription medicine used:
- with other asthma medicines for the maintenance treatment of asthma in adults and children 6 years and older whose asthma is not controlled with their current asthma medicines. FASENRA is not used to treat sudden breathing problems.
- to treat adults with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA).
- to treat adults and children 12 years and older with hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES).
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information and Instructions for Use.
You may report side effects related to AstraZeneca products.
