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.