belimumab - Medications

Belimumab is a human IgG1λ monoclonal antibody specific for soluble human B lymphocyte stimulator protein (BLyS, also referred to as BAFF and TNFSF13B). Belimumab has a molecular weight of approximately 147 kDa. Belimumab is produced by recombinant DNA technology in a murine cell (NS0) expression system. Intravenous Infusion BENLYSTA (belimumab) for injection is a sterile, white to off-white, preservative‑free, lyophilized powder in a single-dose vial for reconstitution and dilution prior to intravenous infusion. BENLYSTA for injection is supplied as 120 mg per vial and 400 mg per vial and requires reconstitution with Sterile Water for Injection, USP (1.5 mL and 4.8 mL, respectively) to obtain a concentration of 80 mg/mL [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2 )] . After reconstitution, each vial allows for withdrawal of 1.5 mL (120 mg) or 5 mL (400 mg). Each mL delivers 80 mg belimumab, citric acid (0.16 mg), polysorbate 80 (0.4 mg), sodium citrate (2.7 mg), and sucrose (80 mg), with a pH of 6.5. The vial stoppers are not made with natural rubber latex. Subcutaneous Injection BENLYSTA (belimumab) injection is a sterile, preservative-free, clear to opalescent, and colorless to pale yellow solution for subcutaneous use. It is supplied in a 1-mL single-dose prefilled autoinjector with a fixed 27-gauge, half-inch needle or in a 1-mL single-dose prefilled syringe with a fixed 27-gauge, half-inch needle with a needle guard. Each 1 mL delivers 200 mg belimumab, L-arginine hydrochloride (5.3 mg), L-histidine (0.65 mg), L-histidine monohydrochloride (1.2 mg), polysorbate 80 (0.1 mg), and sodium chloride (6.7 mg), with a pH of 6.0. The autoinjectors and prefilled syringes are not made with natural rubber latex.