Nemluvio: Dosage, side effects, uses, cost, and more

Key takeaways

• Nemluvio is a brand-name prescription medication used to treat moderate to severe atopic dermatitis and prurigo nodularis in specific populations when topical treatments are insufficient.
• This medication is administered via subcutaneous injection, and the dosage and frequency vary based on the condition being treated and the person’s weight.
• While Nemluvio can help manage symptoms such as itching and skin changes, it is not a cure, and symptoms may return if treatment is stopped.

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Nemluvio (nemolizumab-ilto) to treat:

• atopic dermatitis (eczema) in certain adults and children ages 12 years and older
• prurigo nodularis in adults

Drug details

You’ll find key information about Nemluvio here:

• Drug class: interleukin-31 receptor blockers
• Drug form: dual-chamber injection pen containing powder and sterile water that mix inside the pen to form a liquid solution, which is given as a subcutaneous injection
• Generic or biosimilar available? no
• Prescription required? yes
• Controlled substance? no

Nemluvio is a brand-name biologic drug. It isn’t available in a biosimilar form.

Traditional drugs are made using chemicals, while biologics are made using parts of living cells. This allows traditional drugs to have generics that are exact copies of the brand-name drug. However, biologics cannot be copied exactly, so they have biosimilars instead of generics.

As with generics, biosimilars are considered to be as safe and effective as the original brand-name drug, but tend to cost less.

The Nemluvio dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include the type and severity of the condition you’re using Nemluvio to treat and your body weight in kilograms (kg). For reference, 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb).

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to inject the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Drug form and strength

Nemluvio comes in a prefilled, single-use injection pen. It’s available in one strength of 30 milligrams (mg).

To learn more about using Nemluvio, see the “How to inject” section.

Dosage for atopic dermatitis (eczema)

For atopic dermatitis, the typical starting dose of Nemluvio is two injections (60 mg).

Four weeks later, you’ll switch to one injection (30 mg) every 4 weeks.

After 16 weeks of treatment, your doctor will check to see how well your skin is responding. If your skin is almost clear, they may adjust your dosage to one injection (30 mg) every 8 weeks.

Your doctor will advise you on the Nemluvio dose and schedule that’s right for your condition.

Dosage for prurigo nodularis

For prurigo nodularis, the typical starting dose of Nemluvio is two injections (60 mg).

Four weeks later, you’ll switch to an ongoing dose that depends on your body weight:

• adults weighing less than 90 kg (about 198 lb) will administer one injection (30 mg) every 4 weeks
• adults weighing 90 kg (about 198 lb) or more will administer two injections (60 mg) every 4 weeks

Your doctor will advise you on the Nemluvio dose and schedule that’s right for your condition.

Children’s dosage

Nemluvio is prescribed to treat atopic dermatitis in children ages 12 years and older. It’s not used for prurigo nodularis in children.

The dosage of Nemluvio for atopic dermatitis in children is the same as the dosage for adults. For details, see the “Dosage for atopic dermatitis (eczema)” section.

How to inject

Your doctor or pharmacist will show you how to prepare and use Nemluvio correctly.

Nemluvio comes in a device called a dual-chamber injection pen. One chamber holds the drug in a freeze-dried powder form, and the other holds sterile water. When the pen is activated, the two mix together to form a liquid solution.

Once mixed, Nemluvio is given as a subcutaneous injection under the skin of your abdomen or front thigh. A caregiver may also give the injection under the skin of your upper arm.

To learn more about how to use Nemluvio, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also visit the drug manufacturer’s website.

About taking Nemluvio

You’ll find information about key dosage issues here:

• When to take: For atopic dermatitis, Nemluvio is used once every 4 weeks. If your condition responds well after 16 weeks of treatment, your doctor may adjust your schedule to once every 8 weeks. Adults with prurigo nodularis inject Nemluvio once every 4 weeks.
• If you miss a dose: If you miss a dose, inject it as soon as you remember. Then inject your next dose at its usual time. If you have questions about what to do for a missed dose, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
• Length of use: Nemluvio is meant to be a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Nemluvio is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.
• Length of time to work: Nemluvio begins working after your first dose, but you may not notice improvement right away. Your doctor will monitor your symptoms and skin changes over time to see how well the drug is working for your condition.

Overdose

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

What to do in case you inject too much Nemluvio

If you think you’ve injected 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.

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

The side effects of Nemluvio may vary slightly depending on the condition being treated.

For more information about possible side effects of Nemluvio, 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: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medications safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect during treatment with Nemluvio and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Mild side effects

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

Mild side effects of Nemluvio can include:

• headache or migraine
• injection site reactions
• joint pain
• muscle pain
• hives
• skin rashes, including atopic dermatitis and nummular eczema

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

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Nemluvio aren’t common, but they can occur. Allergic reaction was the only serious side effect reported in the drug’s clinical trials.

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency phone number if your symptoms feel life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency.

ALLERGIC REACTION For some people, Nemluvio can cause an allergic reaction. In general, symptoms of an 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 continue treatment with the medication. For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or difficulty 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 Nemluvio, your doctor may recommend a different medication instead.

The following information describes Nemluvio’s FDA-approved uses.

Nemluvio for atopic dermatitis (eczema)

Nemluvio is approved to treat atopic dermatitis in adults and children ages 12 years and older. It’s prescribed when the condition causes moderate to severe symptoms that are not well managed with topical treatments alone.

Atopic dermatitis is the most common type of eczema. It’s a long-term condition that causes dry, inflamed patches of skin. Symptoms may include persistent itching, discolored skin patches, and skin blisters that may ooze fluid.

For this purpose, Nemluvio may be prescribed with one or both of the following treatments:

• topical corticosteroids, such as fluticasone cream
• topical calcineurin inhibitors, such as tacrolimus (Protopic) ointment

To learn more about atopic dermatitis, visit our dermatology hub.

Nemluvio for prurigo nodularis

Nemluvio is approved to treat prurigo nodularis in adults.

Prurigo nodularis is a skin condition that causes hard, itchy skin nodules (bumps) that may worsen with repeated scratching. Symptoms may include intense itching, thickened skin, and changes in skin color where the nodules heal.

To learn more about Nemluvio for prurigo nodularis, talk with your doctor.

Nemluvio and children

Nemluvio is approved to treat atopic dermatitis in children ages 12 years and older. For details about this condition, see the “Nemluvio for atopic dermatitis (eczema)” section.

To learn more about this use, talk with your child’s doctor.

Nemluvio is not known to interact with other medications, herbs, supplements, foods, or alcohol. The manufacturer did not list any interactions in the drug’s prescribing information.

However, this doesn’t mean that interactions won’t be recognized in the future. For example, new drugs that interact with Nemluvio could be approved.

Before starting Nemluvio 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.

Interactions with vaccines

You should not receive live vaccines (such as those for chickenpox or measles, mumps, and rubella) during treatment with Nemluvio. It is unknown whether Nemluvio impacts the effectiveness or safety of these vaccines.

These may not be all the vaccines that could interact with Nemluvio. If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

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

Financial and insurance assistance: A program called Galderma Patient Service is available if you need financial support to pay for Nemluvio or help understanding your insurance coverage. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, call 855-636-5884 or visit the program website.

Generic or biosimilar version: Nemluvio is not available in a biosimilar form. It’s a brand-name biologic drug made from parts of living cells. Biosimilars tend to cost less than brand-name biologic drugs. See the “Nemluvio generic or biosimilar” section for more details.

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

Examples of alternatives to Nemluvio include:

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

Nemluvio and pregnancy

It is unknown whether Nemluvio should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Nemluvio and breastfeeding

It is unknown whether Nemluvio should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Nemluvio is prescribed to treat atopic dermatitis and prurigo nodularis. In both conditions, certain immune system signals can become overactive. This may lead to inflammation, itchiness, and skin changes.

Nemluvio’s mechanism of action (how it works) is by blocking a protein in the body called interleukin-31 (IL-31). This protein is thought to play a key role in sending itch signals through the skin and nervous system. By targeting IL-31, Nemluvio helps reduce itching and improve symptoms of atopic dermatitis and prurigo nodularis.

If you have other questions about how Nemluvio works, talk with your doctor. You can also visit the drug manufacturer’s website for atopic dermatitis or prurigo nodularis.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Nemluvio.

How does Nemluvio compare with Dupixent?

Nemluvio and Dupixent are both approved to treat atopic dermatitis and prurigo nodularis. The drugs share some similarities but also have important differences. Both drugs work by calming overactive signals in the immune system that cause inflammation and itching. But they have different active ingredients and target different proteins:

• Nemluvio contains nemolizumab-ilto and targets interleukin-31 (IL-31)
• Dupixent contains dupilimumab and targets interleukin-4 (IL-4)

Both drugs are given as subcutaneous injections, but their dosage schedules are different. For atopic dermatitis, Nemluvio may be used every 4 or 8 weeks. For prurigo nodularis, it’s typically used every 4 weeks. Dupixent is typically used every 2 weeks for either condition.

If you have other questions about how Nemluvio compares with Dupixent, talk with your doctor. They can help determine which treatment option may be best for you.

Will Nemluvio cure my condition?

No. Nemluvio does not cure atopic dermatitis or prurigo nodularis. These are long-term skin conditions that can cause cycles of flare-ups (symptoms) and remission (few or no symptoms) throughout life. However, Nemluvio can help manage symptoms such as itchiness and skin changes for as long as you’re using it. This may reduce the severity and frequency of your symptoms. If Nemluvio treatment is stopped, symptoms of the condition may return. Your doctor will recommend how long to continue Nemluvio based on how well it’s working for you. Before starting Nemluvio treatment, discuss your health history with your doctor. This medication may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

• previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug
• pregnancy
• breastfeeding

Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of Nemluvio, see the “Nemluvio side effects” section.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.