New Severe Asthma Rx Gets Green Light

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Cinqair (reslizumab) to manage severe asthma.

Cinqair was approved as a maintenance treatment for severe asthma in patients 18 years and older and is to be given with other asthma medications. The FDA approved it for those with a history of severe asthma attacks despite receiving other asthma medicines.

Cinqair, which is marketed by Teva Pharmaceuticals, works to lower levels of a type of blood cell involved in the development of asthma, according to the FDA.

Based on trial data, when compared to patients who received a placebo, patients who received Cinqair had fewer asthma attacks and a longer time to their first asthma attack. In addition, patients who received Cinqair saw a significant improvement in lung function.

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that causes inflammation in the airways of the lungs.

Cinqair is administered into the vein by a health care provider once every four weeks. The most common side effect of Cinqair is throat pain.