4 days ago
Brinsupri: First Once-Daily Tablet for Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis
What Is Brinsupri, and Why Does It Matter?
Brinsupri (brensocatib) is a new oral medicine approved to treat a long-term lung disease known as non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB) in adults and children ages 12 or older. It works by blocking an enzyme called DPP1, which normally activates certain proteins in white blood cells that cause inflammation in the lungs. By stopping this process, Brinsupri may help reduce lung damage and lower the number of flare-ups that result in worsening cough, increased mucus, shortness of breath, and fatigue that you may experience with NCFB.
Brinsupri is the first and only medicine approved by the FDA that is made specifically for NCFB, which affects about 500,000 people in the U.S. and many more around the world. NCFB widens and damages the airways in your lungs, making it harder to clear mucus. This can lead to trouble breathing and frequent lung infections that often require antibiotics or hospital care while also affecting a person's emotional health and overall well-being. Until now, there were no approved treatments that directly targeted the inflammation behind this disease.
Why Was It Approved?
Brinsupri was approved because studies showed it was safe and effective in reducing the yearly number of flare-ups in people with NCFB.
In one study, people who took Brinsupri (10 milligrams or 25 milligrams) had about 20% fewer flare-ups over a year than those who took a placebo. It also helped delay the time to the first flare-up and increased the number of people who didn't have any flare-ups during the study period. The higher dose also slowed down the worsening of lung function.
The most common side effects included upper respiratory tract infections, headaches, skin rashes, dry or thickened skin, and high blood pressure, along with gum or dental problems. Less common side effects included changes in liver test results and thinning hair.
The studies included adults and children aged 12 and older. Brinsupri has not been studied in children under 12, so it's not known if it's safe or effective for that age group.
What Do I Need to Know?
Brinsupri is a tablet you take once a day. It comes in 10-milligram and 25-milligram strengths and can be taken with or without food. If you miss a dose, just take your next dose at the usual time the next day. Don't take two doses at once to make up for a missed one.
This medicine is now available in the U.S. through a specialty pharmacy network. Talk to your health care provider to see if Brinsupri is right for you, especially if you have skin or dental issues. Brinsupri may raise the risk for skin, gum, or tooth problems, so regular checkups with a dermatologist and dentist are a good idea.
It is not known if Brinsupri affects how well certain vaccines work. Talk to your health care provider if you are planning to take a live, attenuated vaccine before or during your treatment.
Let your health care provider know about all the medicines you take. Brinsupri may interact with other drugs, especially those that affect how your liver processes medicine. There's no safety information yet about using Brinsupri during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, so be sure to talk with your health care provider if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or nursing.
