Benlysta is a biologic therapy that is indicated to treat:

• Patients aged 5 years and older with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who are receiving  standard therapy.
• Patients aged 5 years and older with active lupus nephritis who are receiving standard therapy.

What Is Benlysta?  

Benlysta (belimumab) is a prescription medication administered for patients in all IV LEAGUE INFUSION SERVICES centers via IV infusion to treat lupus.  

How Benlysta Works  

People with lupus have white blood cells called autoreactive B cells (cells that react against the body) that stay in the body longer than they should. One important protein that contributes to the growth of these B cells is the B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS). 

Benlysta works by binding to BLyS so it can no longer bind to and stimulate the autoreactive B cells. 

What Is Benlysta Used For?  

Doctors order belimumab to treat:

• lupus 

Benlysta Infusion Dosage and Administration  

Patients receive belimumab intravenously. Treatment time for a Benlysta infusion at a medical clinic like IV LEAGUE INFUSION SERVICES usually lasts roughly 60 minutes. 

Dosage and Frequency  

Before receiving their first intravenous infusion of belimumab, the ordering physician determines the patient’s dose. This dose depends on the patient’s weight as well as the severity of the condition for which he or she is receiving treatment.   

Benlysta treatments are given every two weeks for the first three infusions and then once every four weeks after the first three treatments. 

Administering Benlysta via IV Infusion  

1. The nurse prepares the patient’s arm by using rubbing alcohol to sterilize the location that is being used to insert the IV needle. 
2. Following needle insertion, the IV line is held in place with tape. 
3. The nurse attaches the patient’s IV line to the line coming down from the bag of medication. 

Every half-an-hour, the patient’s nurse takes his or her vitals. 

Benlysta Infusion Side Effects  

As with all medications, side effects are possible.  

The most common side effects are: 

• Nausea 
• Diarrhea 
• Fever 
• Stuffy or runny nose and sore throat 
• Persistent cough 
• Trouble sleeping 
• Leg or arm pain 
• Depression 
• Headache  
• Redness, itching, or swelling at IV site 

Additional rarer side effects include: 

• Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) 
• Cancer 
• Serious infections 
• Allergic (hypersensitivity) reactions 
• Mental health problems and suicide 

While receiving Benlysta, or following a treatment, symptoms can be addressed with the appropriate medication (such as acetaminophen, steroids, antihistamines, or epinephrine). 

To decrease the likelihood of the patient experiencing another reaction, he or she may be advised to take certain medications before the next IV infusion treatment with belimumab. 

How To Prepare for a Benlysta Infusion  

It is essential that patients inform their physician if they currently have, or have had, any of the conditions listed below: 

• A serious or recurrent infection 
• Allergies to other medicines 
• Receiving or received other biologic medicines or monoclonal antibodies 
• Cancer 
• Mental health problems such as depression or thoughts of suicide 
• Any other medical conditions 

During treatment with Benlysta, patients need to avoid receiving live vaccines. 

How to Get a Referral for Benlysta IV Infusions  

Every Benlysta referral must be accompanied by a physician’s order for treatment. 

• Patient information should include: 
• Name 
• Current address 
• Home and mobile phone number 
• Insurance information 

Information the physician must include on the patient’s order for Benlysta IV therapy: 

• Patient’s name and DOB 
• Order date 
• Diagnosis 
• Physician’s name and NPI# 
• Office address, phone, and fax numbers 
• Provider’s signature 

Supporting clinical documentation from the physician should include: 

• Clinicals to support that the patient has active, autoantibody-positive, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and is receiving standard therapy 

If you or someone you care about has one of the conditions that Benlysta infusions treat, you may want to learn more about IV infusion treatments with belimumab. To find an IV LEAGUE INFUSION SERVICES infusion center near you, please click here. 

 Patients chose IV LEAGUE INFUSION SERVICES to receive their ongoing Benlysta treatments because: