Depemokimab: a new biologic for eosinophilic asthma
The NHS BSA has added depemokimab to the dm+d dictionary (version 6.0.0). This is a monoclonal antibody that targets the interleukin-4 receptor, used to treat moderate-to-severe eosinophilic asthma in patients with elevated blood eosinophils (≥300 cells/μL).
What is depemokimab used for?
Depemokimab is a biologic immunosuppressant given by subcutaneous injection. The standard regimen is a 600 mg loading dose, followed by 300 mg every 2 weeks. It reduces asthma exacerbations in patients with eosinophil-driven disease and is administered by pre-trained patients at home as part of their maintenance therapy.
Event-medicine relevance
Depemokimab is not an acute treatment and should not be administered in the field. At events, you may encounter patients taking this drug as part of their regular asthma management. Your role is to:
- Ensure patients have access to their rescue inhalers (short-acting beta-agonists) and oral corticosteroids
- Manage acute asthma exacerbations using standard protocols
- Refer any patient with acute asthma unresponsive to rescue therapy for urgent conveyance
- Be aware that abrupt discontinuation may worsen asthma control
Key cautions and interactions
Depemokimab is an immunosuppressant, so:
- Patients are at increased risk of infection; watch for signs of active infection
- Live vaccines should not be given concurrently
- Avoid concurrent use with other biologic immunosuppressants where possible
- Hypersensitivity and anaphylaxis are rare but possible; if a patient reports recent first-dose administration, observe for 15 minutes post-injection
- Do not use in patients with active serious infection or known hypersensitivity