Eosinophilic Asthma (EA)

Chronic asthmatic conditions, like eosinophilic asthma (EA), can put a damper on daily activities and impact your quality of life. As you seek out ways to treat your illness, you'll naturally have questions as to the method, efficacy, and safety of each available option. At Ohio Infusion Services, we understand your needs and aim to keep you informed about potential treatments. Together we can work on helping you feel better.

What Is Eosinophilic Asthma?

Eosinophilic asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that affects your ability to breathe easily. It is caused, in part, by an overabundance of eosinophils, specific forms of white blood cells. In healthy immune systems, this type of cell helps to fight off illness. But too many of these cells in the lungs can swell and restrict airways, leading to asthmatic symptoms. 

Eosinophilic asthma tends to show itself in adulthood, and unlike other forms of asthma—like allergic asthma—it is not caused or triggered by underlying allergies. The root cause of this type of asthma is, as of yet, unknown. Poorly managed eosinophilic asthma can be hard to control with traditional asthma treatment methods. Some signs that point to a severe condition getting the upper hand are:

• Typical asthma symptoms, despite taking multiple medications
• Asthma attacks that occasionally necessitate oral steroids
• Symptoms that interrupt normal sleep patterns
• Symptoms require regular breathing treatments at a doctor’s office
• Severe symptoms that have required hospital visits

Without effective treatment, additional conditions can result:

• chronic sinus infection-like symptoms (e.g. stuffy nose, post-nasal drip, reduced sense of smell)
• ear infections
• nasal polyps
• gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses
• sensitivity to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

It’s estimated that about 15% of the 25 million people in the U.S. living with asthma have a severe form that is hard to control with standard medications. Of those cases, eosinophilic asthma is considered a leading cause. But there is positive news for severe asthma patients—an additional medication can help to keep symptoms in check. Ohio Infusion Services has that treatment option available to you.

Infusion Therapy Options for Eosinophilic Asthma

Your doctor can administer a simple blood test to determine the root cause of your asthma, and whether your eosinophils are out of balance. Evaluation of a mucus sample or a bronchial biopsy are also potential ways to diagnose eosinophilic asthma. Once you’re certain of your condition, your doctor might suggest additional treatment.

Ohio Infusion Services offers treatment for eosinophilic asthma with Cinqair, Fasenra, and Nucala. All three medications have been proven to reduce eosinophil levels, helping to prevent asthma attacks and control symptoms while also improving breathing and lung function. Regular treatment with Fasenra and Nucala can drastically reduce or eliminate the need for oral steroids.

• Cinqair (reslizumab) is a biologic drug therapy that is an add-on maintenance treatment if you are 18 years or older. Cinqair is administered as an intravenous (IV) infusion once every 4 weeks in a dose that’s unique to the patient and based on body weight. Infusions typically take about 20-50 minutes.
• Fasenra (benralizumab) is another biologic drug therapy that is an add-on maintenance treatment for patients 12 years and older with ​severe eosinophilic asthma (EA). Fasenra is administered in 30 mg doses on a predetermined schedule (once every 4 weeks for the first three doses, and then once every 8 weeks) via a subcutaneous injection into the thigh or abdomen.
• Nucala (mepolizumab) is a biologic therapy that works as an add-on maintenance treatment for patients 6 years and older who deal with ​severe eosinophilic asthma (EA). Nucala is injected subcutaneously once every 4 weeks. 

Side Effects of Infusion Therapy for Eosinophilic Asthma

Every treatment carries its own risks, and infusion therapy for eosinophilic asthma is no different. Cinqair IV infusions, Fasenra injections, and Nucala injections are all considered to be safe, but no medication will react the same way in everyone's body. Both during and after treatment at Ohio Infusion Services, you will be monitored for adverse reactions to any treatment you seek. After leaving, any of the following symptoms should be taken seriously and merit medical attention: 

• Severe allergic reaction (e.g. wheezing, shortness of breath, cough, chest tightness, or trouble breathing)
• Low blood pressure (e.g. dizziness, fainting, rapid or weak heartbeat)
• Flushing, itching, hives, or rash
• Swelling of the throat or the tongue, throat tightness, hoarse voice, or trouble swallowing
• Nausea or abdominal discomfort

More common and less worrisome reactions may include:

• Headache
• Injection site irritation, swelling, or pain
• Back pain
• Fatigue
• Sore throat

At Ohio Infusion Services, you can rest assured that as you receive premium care in the privacy of your own suite, trained medical staff is always nearby if you need medical assistance.

If any reactions persist or worsen over time, please get in touch with your doctor. And as always, have a detailed conversation with your physician before starting treatment to ensure that other medications, vitamins, supplements, or OTC drugs you’re currently on do not pose the risk of a negative interaction. That said, unless your doctor advises you otherwise, do not stop taking other asthma medications that are helping to control your symptoms—treatments for eosinophilic asthma are add-ons to the treatment plan you’re already using.

What to Expect From Infusion Therapy for Eosinophilic Asthma

After you talk with your doctor and decide to proceed with treatment, they will need to issue a referral to our facility. While here for your treatment, our skilled and knowledgeable staff can review your treatment plan and discuss what you need to know about infusion therapy. An on-site physician or nurse will oversee your first treatment, but after the initial session you will have full, private access to your own treatment suite. 

We hope that treatment for eosinophilic asthma will help your condition right away, but medications often take some time to reach their full effect. Regardless of which treatment option your prescribing doctor recommends, you should see a reduction in severe, uncontrolled eosinophilic asthma attacks while also experiencing improved breathing and a better quality of life. 

In studies and clinical trials, all medication options were seen to provide relief in as early as 4 weeks’ time for people with poorly managed eosinophilic asthma. Improvements continued to accrue across the full year of the study, resulting in fewer asthma attacks overall. Reliance on steroids was also reduced, and some patients were able to remove them entirely.

Have You Been Prescribed Infusion Therapy for eosinophilic asthma? Ohio Infusion Services Can Help!

The process to work with our infusion center is simple. We first need a referral form from your physician. But in the meantime, please fill out a new patient form to let us know you're interested. Our staff will then reach out to you. We work with most common insurance providers and can get your medication ordered and infusion scheduled as soon as we receive your information. We are open Monday through Friday and have locations in Mayfield Heights and North Olmsted.

Our Ohio infusion center staff will do all they can to streamline this process and get your treatment underway. If you'd like to learn more or find out whether we can offer treatment for your specific condition, please call us at 216-381-3333 or submit an online contact form. We look forward to hearing from you and are here to help.