Ebglyss (lebrikizumab-lbkz)

Ebglyss generic or biosimilar

Ebglyss contains the active ingredient lebrikizumab-lbkz, which is a biologic drug. Ebglyss is available only as a brand-name medication. It’s not currently available in biosimilarTrusted Source form. (The reason “-lbkz” appears at the end of the drug’s name is to distinguish it from future biosimilar versions.)

Biologic drugs are made using living cells, while traditional drugs are made from chemicals. It’s possible to make exact copies of brand-name drugs made from chemicals. These are called generics. But it’s not possible to make exact copies of biologic drugs. Instead, biosimilars can sometimes be made.

Biosimilars are considered just as safe and effective as their parent drug. And like generics, biosimilars tend to cost less than brand-name medications.

Ebglyss dosage

The following information describes Ebglyss dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosing schedule to fit your needs.

Drug forms and strengths

Ebglyss comes as a solution in single-dose prefilled syringes and injection pens.

Ebglyss pens and syringes are available in one strength: 250 milligrams (mg) in 2 milliliters (mL) of solution (125 mg/mL).

Dosage for atopic dermatitis

Ebglyss is prescribed to treat moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (also called eczema) in adults and children ages 12 years and older who weigh at least 40 kilograms (kg), which is about 88 pounds (lb).

The usually recommended Ebglyss dosing schedule is described below:

• Week 0: 500 mg (two injections)
• Week 2: 500 mg (two injections)
• Weeks 4 to 14: 250 mg (one injection) every 2 weeks
• Week 16 and beyond: 250 mg (one injection) every 4 weeks

Note: You and your doctor will discuss your eczema treatment plan at week 16. If your eczema hasn’t improved enough at this time, your doctor may recommend that you keep taking one injection every 2 weeks until your symptoms are well managed. Talk with your doctor about when to switch to one injection every 4 weeks.

Children’s dosage

Ebglyss is approved to treat moderate to severe atopic dermatitis in children ages 12 years and older who weigh at least 40 kg (about 88 lb). The recommended dosage is the same as the one for adults, described just above.

How to inject

Ebglyss doses should be given by subcutaneous injection.

A healthcare professional can teach you or a caregiver how to inject Ebglyss using the syringe or injection pen. Instructions for use are also provided with the medication. For further instructions, you can watch videos about how to use the Ebglyss pen and syringe on the manufacturer’s website.

Injection sites

Ebglyss can be injected in the following sites:

• the front of your thigh
• your abdomen, at least 2 inches away from your navel (belly button)
• the back of your upper arm (if given by a caregiver)

You should inject Ebglyss into a different site each time you give the injection. Avoid injecting Ebglyss into areas of skin that are broken, tender, bruised, red, discolored, or hard.

Also, avoid injecting the medication into areas of skin that are affected by atopic dermatitis or other conditions.

About taking Ebglyss

Below you’ll find information about key dosage issues.

• When to take: Ebglyss is taken once every 2 weeks or once every 4 weeks. You can inject the medication at any time of day on your injection day.
• If you miss a dose: If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as possible. Then continue with your usual dosing schedule.
• Length of use: Ebglyss is meant to be a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Ebglyss is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.
• Length of time to work: Some people may have reduced eczema symptoms after 2 weeks of Ebglyss treatment. But for others, the medication may take 16 weeks or longer to work.

If you have any questions about taking Ebglyss, talk with your doctor.

Overdose

Do not take more Ebglyss than your doctor recommends. For some drugs, doing so may lead to unwanted side effects or overdose.

What to do in case you take too much Ebglyss

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. You can also call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. However, if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

Ebglyss side effects

Ebglyss can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur during Ebglyss treatment. These lists do not include all possible side effects.

For more information about the possible side effects of Ebglyss, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to manage any side effects that may be concerning or bothersome.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you would like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Ebglyss, you can do so through MedWatch.

Mild side effects

Below is a partial list of mild side effects of Ebglyss. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist or view the drug’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Ebglyss can include:

• injection site reactions, such as:
  • pain
  • itching
  • rash
  • swelling
  • warmth
  • redness or other skin discoloration
• conjunctivitis (pink eye)

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. However, if they become more severe, last for more than a month, or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Ebglyss aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects and their symptoms can include:

• shingles, which may include symptoms such as:
  • a blistering skin rash on one area of the body
  • burning or stabbing pain in one area of the body
  • fever
• keratitis (inflammation of the cornea), which may include symptoms such as:
  • blurry vision
  • sensitivity to light
  • eye pain

ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Ebglyss injection can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Ebglyss, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Ebglyss uses

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Ebglyss to treat certain conditions. Ebglyss may also be used off-label for other conditions. Off-label drug use is when an FDA-approved drug is prescribed for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.

Ebglyss for atopic dermatitis

Ebglyss has FDA approval to treat moderate to severe atopic dermatitis in adults and children ages 12 years and older who weigh at least 40 kilograms (kg), which is about 88 pounds (lb).

It’s approved for use when the condition has not responded well enough to topical prescription medications or when these medications are not suitable. (Topical medications are those that you apply to your skin, such as creams and ointments.)

Atopic dermatitis is a type of eczema. It’s an inflammatory skin condition that causes symptoms such as:

• itching
• rough, dry, scaly, cracked, or thickened patches of skin
• patches of skin that may be red, white, purple, brown, gray, or lighter or darker than the surrounding skin (depending on your skin tone)
• sores that weep or crust

Ebglyss reduces the inflammation in your skin. This helps reduce itching and other symptoms and can result in clearer skin. (For details about the mechanism of action, see “How Ebglyss works.”)

For this purpose, Ebglyss may be prescribed by itself or with other drugs for atopic dermatitis.

Examples of other atopic dermatitis drugs that may be used with Ebglyss include topical corticosteroids, such as betamethasone dipropionate (Diprolene) or triamcinolone acetonide (Triderm).

To learn more about atopic dermatitis and its treatment, you can visit our eczema hub.

Ebglyss and children

Ebglyss is FDA approved to treat moderate to severe atopic dermatitis in children ages 12 years and older who weigh at least 40 kg (about 88 lb). For more information about this use, see just above.

It’s not known whether Ebglyss is safe or effective in children who are younger than 12 years or weigh less than 40 kg.

Ebglyss interactions

Ebglyss may interact with live vaccines, such as the chickenpox vaccine (Varivax) or the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. You should not receive live vaccines during treatment with Ebglyss.

Ebglyss is not known to interact with other medications, herbs, supplements, foods, or alcohol. However, this doesn’t mean that interactions won’t be recognized in the future. For example, new drugs could be approved that interact with Ebglyss.

Before starting Ebglyss treatment, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also, tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you take. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Ebglyss cost

As with all medications, the cost of Ebglyss can vary. The actual price you’ll pay for Ebglyss depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.

Financial and insurance assistance: If you need financial support to pay for Ebglyss or need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.

A program called Lilly Support Services is available for Ebglyss. For more information and to find out whether you’re eligible for support such as the Ebglyss savings card, call 800-545-5979 or visit the program website.

Learn more about saving money on prescriptions.

Generic or biosimilar version: Ebglyss is not available in a generic or biosimilar form. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. Biosimilars are like generics for brand-name biologic drugs. Generics and biosimilars tend to cost less than brand-name drugs. For more information, see the “Ebglyss generic or biosimilar” section.

Similar drugs

Other drugs are available that can treat your condition. Some may be a better fit for you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to Ebglyss, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you.

The following drugs are similar to Ebglyss:

• dupilumab (Dupixent)
• tralokinumab-ldrm (Adbry)
• upadacitinib (Rinvoq)

Things to consider when taking Ebglyss

If you can become pregnant, consider the following information about pregnancy, birth control, and breastfeeding.

Ebglyss and pregnancy

It’s not known whether Ebglyss should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Ebglyss and birth control

It’s not known whether Ebglyss is safe to take during pregnancy. If you’re sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control needs while you’re taking Ebglyss.

Ebglyss and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether Ebglyss should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Ebglyss vs. Dupixent

You may wonder how Ebglyss compares with other medications that are prescribed for similar uses. Here, we look at how Ebglyss compares with Dupixent.

Ebglyss and Dupixent are both used to treat moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. They’re suitable for adults and children ages 12 years and older. Dupixent can also be used in younger children (ages 6 months and older). Dupixent is approved for several other conditions, including moderate to severe asthma and chronic sinusitis.

Both drugs are taken by subcutaneous injection once every 2 weeks. After 4 months of Ebglyss treatment, you may be able to take the medication once every 4 weeks. A healthcare professional can teach you or a caregiver how to give the injections at home. (For details, see the “Ebglyss dosage” section.)

Ebglyss and Dupixent are both biologic drugs called monoclonal antibodies. (Biologics are drugs made using living cells. Monoclonal antibodies are lab-made antibodies that target specific proteins in the body.)

Ebglyss and Dupixent target certain inflammatory proteins called interleukins. Ebglyss targets interleukin-13 (IL-13), and Dupixent targets interleukin-4 (IL-4).

These drugs can cause some similar and some different side effects. To learn more, see the “Ebglyss side effects” section and this article about Dupixent side effects.

If you’d like more details about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor. They can help determine whether either treatment is right for you.

How Ebglyss works

Ebglyss is used to treat moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (a type of eczema). This condition causes inflammation in your skin, which leads to symptoms such as itching and dry, rough, cracked, thickened, or discolored patches of skin. Ebglyss treats atopic dermatitis by reducing the inflammation in your skin.

The way a drug works is called its mechanism of action. Ebglyss belongs to a class of drugs called monoclonal antibodies. A monoclonal antibody is a lab-made antibody that targets specific proteins in the body.

Ebglyss targets and attaches to an immune system protein called interleukin-13 (IL-13). This protein is involved in causing inflammation. When Ebglyss attaches to IL-13, it blocks the signals sent by IL-13. By blocking these signals, Ebglyss reduces inflammation in your skin and thus reduces symptoms of atopic dermatitis.