Asthma is one of the most common diseases in the United States, affecting approximately 11 out of 100 women. It is a chronic (long-term) condition that causes swelling of the airways and makes breathing difficult.
Asthma can be controlled if treated, but can be fatal if left untreated. In 2023, asthma was linked to more than 3,700 deaths in the United States
While the disease affects people of all ages, genders and ethnicities, Black Americans are more likely to develop asthma than people of other races — and are three times more likely to die from the disease.
The good news? There are many effective treatments for asthma, and researchers are constantly working to develop new and better treatments.
Biologics are a type of medication that can help people with asthma manage their disease.
What are biologics?
A biologic is a drug made from a natural source. These sources include:
- Plant cells
- Animal cells
- Microorganisms such as bacteria and yeast
The fact that they are made from living materials sets biologics apart from most drugs, which are made from chemicals.
To produce a biologic, scientists grow specially developed living cells under very specific conditions, often over several weeks. After the cells are grown, scientists remove a protein from the cells, which is purified and converted into a biologic.
Like all medications, biologics must be proven safe and effective before the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves them.
In addition to treating asthma, biologics are also used to help people with the following conditions:
- arthritis
- Breast, lung and colon cancer
- Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and other chronic intestinal diseases
- diabetes
- multiple sclerosis
- Psoriasis and other chronic skin diseases
How do biologics treat asthma?
Many people with asthma use inhalers or tablets to treat their symptoms. So how does an injectable or intravenous medicine work to treat a breathing problem?
Asthma biologics work by stopping the molecules that cause your airways to swell when you are exposed to certain triggers.
When a person with asthma is exposed to their personal triggers, molecules in the immune system interact and cause swelling of the airways.
Biologics attach to these molecules, preventing them from causing the swelling that leads to asthma symptoms.
Who can take biologics for asthma?
If you have moderate to severe asthma and your asthma is still not controlled despite routine asthma treatments such as inhalers and tablets, incorporating biologics into your treatment plan may help you better manage your disease.
Biologics may be an option for you if you:
- Have asthma symptoms more than twice a week
- Waking up at night with asthma symptoms more than twice a month
- Need your rescue inhaler more than twice a week
- To treat your symptoms, take oral corticosteroids more than once a year
- You cannot do normal activities because of your asthma symptoms
As of March 2026, seven biologics have been approved by the FDA to treat asthma. Your doctor may prescribe one for you after discussing your symptoms and current treatment plan.
What to expect when taking biologics?
Biologics for asthma are given with a syringe or an infusion. Depending on which biologic your doctor prescribes, you may be able to give the medicine at home.
How often you take the biologic also depends on what your doctor prescribes for you. Some are used every two weeks, others every four or eight weeks.
Your healthcare team will discuss possible side effects and what to look for when using a biologic for asthma. They can also answer all your questions.
Benefits and risks of biologics
It can be scary if you’re already taking traditional asthma medications but still have asthma attacks and other symptoms. Biologics can provide relief.
When added to your current treatment plan, biologics can help relieve asthma symptoms in ways that traditional medications cannot. And you don’t have to worry about taking them every day for them to work.
The FDA wouldn’t approve biologics for asthma if they weren’t safe, but like all medications, they can have side effects. Some of them are:
- Headache
- Joint pain
- Rashes
- Sore throat
- fatigue
Your doctor can give you more information about possible side effects of the specific biologic you are considering.
What about insurance coverage?
Because coverage varies from plan to plan, you will need to contact your insurer to find out if they cover biologics to treat your asthma. Many plans cover at least some of the costs.
Biologics may be considered a “specialty treatment” by your insurer, meaning you may need to take certain steps to receive them.
For example, your doctor may need to obtain prior authorization (sometimes called “pre-approval”) from your insurer before paying for a biologic. Or you may need to fill your prescription at a specialty pharmacy that specializes in this type of medication.
You may be able to find information about costs and coverage on the website of the company that makes your biologic. Some companies also offer patient assistance programs to help cover the cost of their medications.
Take control of your treatment
You don’t have to let uncontrolled asthma stop you from living your best life. Thanks to innovative medicines like biologics, the power to feel better is in your hands.
This educational resource was created with support from GSK, Sanofi and Regeneron.
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