Anyone with COPD taking Nucala (mepolizumab)? How did it help?

Posted by snoots @snoots, Dec 15, 2025

I started Nucala a month ago, it’s an injection once a month. Has anyone else taken the monthly shots, how did they help?

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Profile picture for snoots @snoots

@suzyq61 didn’t you have to have a blood test to see if you have the Eosinophils in the lungs. I think it works the same as dupixent.

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@snoots
Thanks! That's where I'm at now, breathless no matter what I do. Weather isn't helping, hot and humid. Doing trilogy and othtovere also. With rescue and combivent. Thinking seriously about trying it. Appreciate your answer. Hope it continues 🙏

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Profile picture for Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung

@kat1359, welcome. I moved your question about Nucala (mepolizumab) so you can connect with others like @snoots @suzyq61 @orangetiger @hicopd @narelled23 @persimmons @hank82 who are talking about Nucala.

- Anyone with COPD taking Nucala (mepolizumab)? How did it help?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/nicolas-started-nucala/

Kat, did you decide to add Nucala?

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@colleenyoung
Still deciding! Thanks for checking!

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Profile picture for snoots @snoots

@suzyq61 didn’t you have to have a blood test to see if you have the Eosinophils in the lungs. I think it works the same as dupixent.

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@snoots yes they did a lot of test on my blood and due to my results I was approved just took forever to get it

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Profile picture for kat1359 @kat1359

@snoots
Thanks! That's where I'm at now, breathless no matter what I do. Weather isn't helping, hot and humid. Doing trilogy and othtovere also. With rescue and combivent. Thinking seriously about trying it. Appreciate your answer. Hope it continues 🙏

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@kat1359 take the test and if approved get the first injection which they do first then see how you are feeling then get the second and if your not happy with results then stop the choice is yours, it really changed my life I’m breathing again, if you go with it keep us updated ❤️

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Profile picture for hicopd @hicopd

Just learned that Nucala is billed to Medicare B (yes, that is B as in Bravo) and then whatever secondary insurance you may have. I had thought since it appears to me to be a medication it would be Medicare D and/or whatever private drug coverage the patient had. Nope, after 2.75 days of getting the runaround from Nucala/GSK as well as my insurer and CVS Specialty pharmacy, I finally learned at the end of it that NO, just because it is something that is administered by syringe or auto-inject pen at home, it is NOT considered a drug and is medical care covered under Medicare B (hey why do rules have to make sense). So now that we have had a 3-way conference call that the insurer customer service person set up between me, her and the pharmaceutical company, we will have the company re-bill Medicare correctly, who will get the bill 1st and then send the statement of benefits to insurer to process and pay their portion and I should have a grand total of $0 copay! That sure is much more palatable than the $790+ per auto-inject pen that they had billed me for!

My message is if you have problems, ask that a conference call be set up with your insurer and the Nucala folks to try to straighten out the bill. Do NOT assume you have to pay whatever high amount you are billed. Also, even though it may appear to be a medication, it is NOT covered under prescription drug plans it is Medicare B!?!?!? Oh well, that seemed like time well spent ironing all of this out, and it helps any other patient, YAY!

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@hicopd I thought I had read that it depends on whether you get the shot in a doctors office or administer it yourself at home to how much is covered. Is that correct? Do you administer it yourself?

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I believe both Dupixent and Nucala work best and are approved for folks with high blood eosinophil levels (like >300). It may not be as effective for folks who don’t have this type of inflammation.

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Profile picture for orangetiger @orangetiger

Hello,
I was hoping someone would be using Nucala. My doctor mentioned he wanted to start me on either Dupixent or Nucala for ACOS Asthma and COPD.
A little uncertain about them but…it would be great if something would help.

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@orangetiger
Hi, I have ACOS, COPD is mild but asthma is allergic. I have been on Dupixent since January this year and find it helps sort of the first week. Keep in mind, I have a cat and garden so I spend a lot of time outside. I suspect, cat and garden could be an issue.

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Profile picture for suzyq61 @suzyq61

@snoots yes they did a lot of test on my blood and due to my results I was approved just took forever to get it

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@suzyq61 my de switched me to dupixent,ot does good so far.

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Profile picture for snoots @snoots

@suzyq61 my de switched me to dupixent,ot does good so far.

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@snoots I’m glad that’s helping you, that’s always great to hear someone is experiencing all good with taking any medication. I was willing to try either one long as I got to try something else to help me breathe and nucala is working really well for me , so we both are doing good ❤️❤️

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Yes, coverage can vary depending on whether you have it administered at MD office. We have it mailed to us and my H administers the auto/inject pen.

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