Belimumab (also called Benlysta)

• Belimumab is a biologic drug, approved for lupus by the FDA.
• It is given as monthly infusion or weekly injection.
• It controls active lupus in skin, joints and other body organs and improves quality of life and function.
• But, it has not been studied in people with serious organ disease.
• Belimumab has rare side effects, such as:

  –Infusion reaction while receiving the infusion such as skin itching or rash

  –Rarely, infusion reactions can be severe and cause hives, headache, chills, fever, shortness of breath, throat or tongue swelling, difficulty breathing and a        drop in blood pressure

  –Depression

  –Serious infections