Nucala (mepolizumab) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat a certain kind of asthma and some other immune-related conditions. The drug is typically given once every 4 weeks as an injection under the skin.
Nucala is used to treat:
- chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps in adults
- severe eosinophilic asthma in adults and some children
- eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Churg-Strauss syndrome) in adults
- hypereosinophilic syndrome in adults and some children
Do not use Nucala during a severe asthma attack. Use your rescue inhaler instead, as directed by your doctor.
The active ingredient in Nucala is mepolizumab. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Nucala is a biologic drug, which means it’s made from living cells.
This article describes the dosages of Nucala, as well as its strengths and how to use it. To learn more about Nucala, see this in-depth article.
The table below highlights the basics of Nucala’s dosage. The drug is given as an injection under your skin. All doses shown below are in milligrams (mg).
| Condition | Recommended dose | Frequency |
| severe eosinophilic asthma (ages 12 years and older) | 100 mg | once every 4 weeks |
| severe eosinophilic asthma (ages 6–11 years) | 40 mg | once every 4 weeks |
| chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps | 100 mg | once every 4 weeks |
| eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis | three 100-mg injections (300 mg) | once every 4 weeks |
| hypereosinophilic syndrome | three 100-mg injections (300 mg) | once every 4 weeks |
Keep reading for more details about Nucala’s dosage.
What are the forms of Nucala?
Nucala comes in three different injectable forms that are given under the skin. They include:
- liquid solution inside a prefilled auto-injector
- liquid solution inside a prefilled syringe
- powder inside a vial, which is mixed with liquid to make a solution for use in a syringe
What strengths does Nucala come in?
Nucala is available in two strengths, one of which comes in several forms.
- 40 milligrams (mg) per 0.4 milliliter (mL) in a single dose prefilled syringe
- 100 mg per mL in a prefilled auto-injector or single dose syringe
- 100 mg of powder in a single dose vial that’s mixed with liquid to make a solution for use in a syringe
What are the usual dosages of Nucala?
Your dosage depends on the condition you’re using Nucala to treat. The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to use the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for severe eosinophilic asthma
The Nucala dosage for treating severe eosinophilic asthma in adults is 100 mg given as an injection under the skin once every 4 weeks. You can receive doses at your doctor’s office or inject your doses yourself at home.
Dosage for eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis
The dosage for eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis in adults is 300 mg. This is given as three 100-mg injections under the skin once every 4 weeks.
Dosage for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps
The Nucala dosage for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps in adults is 100 mg given as an injection under the skin once every 4 weeks.
Dosage for hypereosinophilic syndrome
The Nucala dosage for treating hypereosinophilic syndrome in adults is 300 mg. It’s given as three 100-mg injections under the skin once every 4 weeks.
If you have questions about your dosage of Nucala, talk with your doctor to learn more.
What’s the dosage of Nucala for children?
Nucala is approved to treat severe eosinophilic asthma in children 6 years and older.
The dosage of Nucala for severe eosinophilic asthma in children ages 12 years and older is the same as for adults. 100 mg is given as an injection under the skin once every 4 weeks.
The dosage for severe eosinophilic asthma in children ages 6–11 years is 40 mg given as an injection under the skin once every 4 weeks.
Nucala is also approved to treat hypereosinophilic syndrome in children ages 12 years and older. The dosage is 300 mg given as three separate 100-mg injections under the skin once every 4 weeks.
Is Nucala used long term?
Yes, Nucala is usually used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely use it long term.
The dosage of Nucala you’re prescribed may depend on several factors. These include your age and the type and severity of the condition you’re using the drug to treat.
Nucala is available in three different dosage forms all of which are given as an injection under the skin. They include:
- liquid solution in a prefilled auto-injector
- liquid solution in a prefilled syringe
- powder in a single dose vial that’s mixed with liquid to make a solution for use in a syringe
You may get Nucala injections at your doctor’s office or a clinic. Your doctor may also train you or a caregiver on how to inject Nucala at home with a prefilled syringe or auto-injector. (Only a healthcare professional can administer the powder dosage form of Nucala.)
If you have questions about how to inject your dose of Nucala, ask your pharmacist. They can answer your questions and show you how to give yourself your dose.
For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Nucala, see this article.
Accessible drug containers and labels
Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:
- have large print
- use braille
- feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio
Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.
If you miss giving yourself your regularly scheduled dose of Nucala, inject the dose as soon as you remember. But if it’s too close to your next regular dose, skip the missed dose. Do not give yourself two injections of Nucala at one time. This could increase your risk of side effects from the drug.
If you receive Nucala at your doctor’s office and miss an appointment, call their office to reschedule your injection.
If you need help remembering your Nucala injections, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.
Do not use more Nucala than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to serious side effects.
What to do in case you inject too much Nucala
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve injected too much Nucala. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.
The sections above describe the usual dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Nucala for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.
Remember, you should not change your dosage of Nucala without your doctor’s recommendation. Only use Nucala exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage. Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask them:
- Does my dosage of Nucala depend on my age?
- Would I have a higher risk of side effects with higher doses of Nucala?
- Can I take a missed dose of Nucala within 1 week of my next scheduled dose?
To learn more about Nucala, see these articles:
To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthline’s newsletters. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. It’s a place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.