BENLYSTA (also known as Belimumab)
Mechanism:
Benlysta is antibody that binds and inhibits B-cell activating factor. Benlysta essentially targets overproduction of B-cells, which is central to the autoimmune processes like Lupus.
Indications:
Patients with active systemic lupus erythematous who are already receiving standard therapy.
Cautions:
Benlysta has not been studied in patients with severe active lupus nephritis or severe active central nervous system lupus.
Administration:
Benlysta is administered as an infusion every 2 weeks for the first 3 doses and every 4 weeks thereafter.