A long-acting injection for severe eosinophilic asthma
Depemokimab
A long-acting biologic injection used as an add-on for severe eosinophilic asthma.
What is Depemokimab?
Depemokimab is a specialist biologic injection used as an add-on treatment for severe asthma driven by raised eosinophils (a type of white blood cell). It works by blocking interleukin-5, a signal that builds up these cells and fuels asthma inflammation. It is long-acting, so it is given as an injection only a few times a year. It is a preventer that reduces flare-ups; it does not treat a sudden asthma attack, for which the usual reliever and emergency care are still needed. The team checks for parasitic (worm) infection first and watches for injection-site or allergic reactions.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Depemokimab — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Depemokimab is a biologic medicine used as an add-on treatment for severe asthma that is driven by raised numbers of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell involved in allergic-type inflammation. It is a type of antibody given as an injection. Its distinctive feature is that it is long-acting, so it is given only a few times a year rather than every few weeks. It is used alongside a person's usual inhalers in those whose asthma stays poorly controlled despite standard treatment. It is prescribed and supervised by a specialist asthma service.
How it works
In eosinophilic asthma, a signal called interleukin-5 (IL-5) tells the body to make and keep alive more eosinophils, and these cells drive the airway inflammation that causes flare-ups. Depemokimab is an antibody that blocks IL-5, so fewer eosinophils are produced and the inflammation behind the asthma settles over time. Because it is designed to act for a long time, a single injection keeps working for months, which is why it is given infrequently. It works in the background to prevent flare-ups rather than to open the airways quickly during an attack.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Specialist manufacturer.
A specialist biologic injection used as an add-on treatment for severe asthma driven by raised eosinophils, given infrequently because it is long-acting.
What it treats
Conditions Depemokimab is used for
Practical use
How to take Depemokimab
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- It is given as an injection by a healthcare professional, only a few times a year because it is long-acting.
- Keep using your usual asthma inhalers, including your reliever, as this medicine does not treat a sudden attack.
- Seek emergency help in an asthma attack rather than relying on this injection for quick relief.
- Tell your team before starting if you may have a parasitic (worm) infection, as this is usually checked first.
- Report any rash, swelling, itching or breathing difficulty after an injection, as allergic reactions can occur.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Depemokimab
Advantages
- Reduces severe asthma flare-ups driven by raised eosinophils when added to usual treatment.
- Long-acting, so it is given only a few times a year.
- May help some people reduce their need for steroid tablets.
Disadvantages
- Does not treat a sudden asthma attack, so usual reliever inhalers and emergency care are still needed.
- Can cause injection-site or, less often, allergic-type reactions.
- Requires checking for parasitic infection first and ongoing specialist supervision.
Practical use
Good to know
The key things to understand about depemokimab are that it is a long-acting add-on preventer given only a few times a year, and that it does not treat a sudden asthma attack. People must keep using their usual inhalers, including their reliever, and seek emergency help in an attack, because this medicine works slowly in the background to reduce flare-ups rather than giving quick relief. Before starting, the team usually checks for a parasitic (worm) infection, because eosinophils help fight these and lowering them could let such an infection take hold. The most common side effects are reactions where the injection is given, and, less often, allergic-type reactions, so any rash, swelling or breathing difficulty after an injection should be reported. The benefit is fewer flare-ups and, for some, a chance to reduce reliance on steroid tablets, all with very infrequent dosing.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to depemokimab should not use it.
- It is not used to treat a sudden asthma attack or sudden worsening of breathing.
- It is used with care, and after appropriate checks, in people who may have a parasitic infection.
- It should only be used under a specialist asthma service.
Monitoring
- Checking for parasitic (worm) infection before starting.
- Reviewing how well asthma control improves and how often flare-ups happen.
- Watching for injection-site and allergic-type reactions.
Side effects
- Reactions where the injection is given, such as redness, soreness or swelling.
- Headache or aches in some people.
- Less commonly, allergic-type reactions, which should be reported.
Key interactions
- There are few well-established routine medicine interactions, but tell your team about all your medicines.
- It is used alongside, not instead of, your usual asthma inhalers and emergency treatment.
- Tell your team about any treatment for a parasitic infection.
Available as: A solution for injection given by a healthcare professional.
Answers
Depemokimab: frequently asked questions
What is depemokimab used for?
It is used as an add-on treatment for severe asthma driven by raised eosinophils, by blocking interleukin-5, a signal that fuels the underlying inflammation.
Can it stop an asthma attack?
No, it is a preventer that works in the background; it does not treat a sudden asthma attack, so keep using your reliever inhaler and seek emergency help in an attack.
How often is it given?
Because it is long-acting, it is given as an injection only a few times a year rather than every few weeks.
Why is a parasite check done first?
Eosinophils help fight parasitic (worm) infections, so the team usually checks for and treats any such infection before lowering these cells with this medicine.
What side effects should I watch for?
The most common are reactions where the injection is given; less often, allergic-type reactions can occur, so report any rash, swelling or breathing difficulty afterwards.
The wider class
About Long-acting anti-interleukin-5 antibody (biologic)
Depemokimab belongs to the long-acting anti-interleukin-5 antibody (biologic) class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
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Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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