| Lupus Nephritis
Benlysta vs Lupkynis
Side-by-side clinical, coverage, and cost comparison for lupus nephritis.Deep comparison between: Benlysta vs Lupkynis with Prescriber.AI
AI compares prescribing info and payer-specific access barriers across 1,200+ formularies. Here's a preview of what prescribers are already asking.Safety signalsLupkynis has a higher rate of injection site reactions vs Benlysta based on FDA-approved prescribing information
Coverage gaps3 major payers require step therapy for Lupkynis but not Benlysta, including UnitedHealthcare
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Category
Benlysta
Lupkynis
At A Glance
IV infusion or SC injection
Weekly or every 4 weeks
BLyS inhibitor
Oral
Twice daily
Calcineurin inhibitor
Indications
- Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic
- Lupus Nephritis
- Lupus Nephritis
Dosing
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic IV: 10 mg/kg at 2-week intervals for first 3 doses then every 4 weeks as a 1-hour infusion; SC adults and pediatric >=40 kg: 200 mg once weekly; SC pediatric 15 to <40 kg: 200 mg once every 2 weeks.
Lupus Nephritis IV: 10 mg/kg at 2-week intervals for first 3 doses then every 4 weeks as a 1-hour infusion; SC adults and pediatric >=40 kg: 400 mg once weekly for 4 doses then 200 mg once weekly; SC pediatric 15 to <40 kg: 200 mg once weekly for 4 doses then 200 mg once every 2 weeks.
Lupus Nephritis 23.7 mg orally twice daily on an empty stomach (minimum 8 hours between doses), in combination with mycophenolate mofetil and corticosteroids; dose adjusted based on eGFR and blood pressure monitoring.
Severe renal impairment (baseline eGFR <45 mL/min/1.73 m2) Recommended starting dose is 15.8 mg twice daily if benefit exceeds risk.
Mild or moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh A or B) Recommended dose is 15.8 mg twice daily; not recommended in severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C).
Dose adjustment with moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors Reduce daily dosage to 15.8 mg in the morning and 7.9 mg in the evening when co-administered with moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., verapamil, fluconazole, diltiazem).
Contraindications
- Previous anaphylaxis with belimumab
- Concomitant use of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin), which significantly increase voclosporin exposure and may increase the risk of nephrotoxicity
- History of serious or severe hypersensitivity reaction, including anaphylaxis, to voclosporin or any of its excipients
Adverse Reactions
Most common (>=3%) Nausea, diarrhea, pyrexia, nasopharyngitis, bronchitis, insomnia, pain in extremity, depression, migraine, pharyngitis, cystitis, leukopenia, gastroenteritis viral
Serious Serious infections, hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis, depression and suicidality, malignancy
Postmarketing Fatal anaphylaxis
Most common (>=3%) GFR decreased, hypertension, diarrhea, headache, anemia, cough, urinary tract infection, abdominal pain upper, dyspepsia, alopecia, renal impairment, abdominal pain, mouth ulceration, fatigue, tremor, acute kidney injury, decreased appetite
Serious Lymphoma and other malignancies, serious infections (pneumonia, gastroenteritis, urinary tract infections), nephrotoxicity, hypertension, neurotoxicity (seizure, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome), hyperkalemia, QTc prolongation, hypersensitivity reactions, pure red cell aplasia
Postmarketing Hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis and angioedema, nausea, vomiting
Pharmacology
BENLYSTA is a BLyS-specific inhibitor; a human IgG1lambda monoclonal antibody that blocks binding of soluble BLyS, a B-cell survival factor, to its receptors on B cells, thereby inhibiting survival of B cells including autoreactive B cells and reducing their differentiation into immunoglobulin-producing plasma cells.
Voclosporin is a calcineurin-inhibitor immunosuppressant that inhibits lymphocyte proliferation, T-cell cytokine production, and T-cell activation surface antigen expression by blocking NFATc dephosphorylation; it also stabilizes actin cytoskeleton and stress fibers in podocytes, increasing podocyte integrity in glomeruli.
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Most Common Insurance
Anthem BCBS
Benlysta
- Covered on 5 commercial plans
- PA (11/12) · Step Therapy (11/12) · Qty limit (0/12)
Lupkynis
- Covered on 5 commercial plans
- PA (10/12) · Step Therapy (0/12) · Qty limit (10/12)
UnitedHealthcare
Benlysta
- Covered on 4 commercial plans
- PA (3/8) · Step Therapy (3/8) · Qty limit (0/8)
Lupkynis
- Covered on 4 commercial plans
- PA (5/8) · Step Therapy (0/8) · Qty limit (5/8)
Humana
Benlysta
- Covered on 0 commercial plans
- PA (3/3) · Step Therapy (3/3) · Qty limit (2/3)
Lupkynis
- Covered on 0 commercial plans
- PA (3/3) · Step Therapy (0/3) · Qty limit (2/3)
Coverage data sourced from MMIT. Updated monthly.
Savings
Cost estimate not availableAssistance Fund: Lupus: Waitlist
Commercial or private insurance
Medicare, Medicaid, VA, TRICARE
$10
Aurinia Alliance: LupkynisCommercial or private insurance
Medicare, Medicaid, VA, TRICARE
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Clinical data sourced from FDA-approved labeling. Coverage data via MMIT. Updated monthly.