What is Dupixent Uses, warnings & interactions

What is Dupixent used for?

Dupixent (dupilumab) is a prescription interleukin-4 receptor alpha antagonist that is indicated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of:

• Moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in adult and pediatric patients aged 6 months and older who have failed topical therapies or if those topical therapies are not indicated. Dupixent can be used by itself or along with topical corticosteroids.
• As add-on maintenance treatment for moderate-to-severe asthma in adult and pediatric patients aged 6 years with an eosinophilic phenotype or with oral corticosteroid-dependent asthma. Dupixent is not indicated to relieve asthma attacks.
• As add-on maintenance treatment for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) in adults.
• Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) in adult and adolescent patients 12 years of age and older who weigh at least 40kg.

How does Dupixent work?

Interleukins help fight off viruses and bacteria in your body when working properly. Your immune system can sometimes overact to allergens or other triggers and start attacking healthy tissue. This can lead to chronic inflammatory medical conditions such as asthma and atopic dermatitis.

Dupixent works by blocking certain proteins called interleukins (IL-4 and IL-13) from binding to their cell receptors. When IL-4 and IL-13 bind to their cell receptors, it causes your immune system to release cytokines which lead to increased inflammation. Blocking these receptors, Dupixent will slow down your immune system and reduce your symptoms.

What are the most commonly prescribed doses of Dupixent?

• 300mg/2 ml prefilled syringe
• 200mg/1.14ml prefilled syringe
• 100mg/0.67ml prefilled syringe
• 300mg/2ml single-dose prefilled pen
• 200mg/1.14ml single-dose prefilled pen

Before taking Dupixent

Before starting Dupixent, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• Eye problems
• A parasitic infection
• Are scheduled to receive any vaccines
• Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
• Are breastfeeding or plan on breastfeeding

How to take Dupixent

• See the full Prescribing Information, Instructions for Use, and Medication Guide that comes with Dupixent. It will have information on how to properly administer Dupixent, how to store Dupixent, and dispose of used Dupixent pre-filled syringes and pre-filled pens.
• Use Dupixent exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not change your dose or stop taking Dupixent without first discussing it with your doctor.
• The Dupixent pre-filled pen is used in adults and children 12 years of age and older. The Dupixent pre-filled syringe is used in adults and children 6 months of age and older.
• Dupixent is given as a subcutaneous injection (under your skin). You or your caregiver should receive training on the proper way to prepare and inject Dupixent.
• You can inject Dupixent into your thigh, upper arm, or stomach. You should not inject Dupixent within 2 inches of your belly button. Rotate your injection site with each Dupixent dose.
• Children 12 years and older should be given by or under the supervision of a parent or adult. In children under the age of 12, Dupixent should be given by a caregiver.
• If your dose schedule is once weekly and you miss a dose, give the missed injection immediately and then start a new weekly dose schedule from the time you remembered to take your injection.
• If you miss a dose while taking Dupixent every other week, give the injection within 7 days from the missed dose, then continue on your original dosing schedule. If you don’t give the missed dose within 7 days, wait until your next scheduled dose.
• If you miss a dose while taking Dupixent every 4 weeks, give the injection within 7 days from the missed dose, then continue with your original dosing schedule. If you don’t give the missed dose within 7 days, start a new every 4-week dosing schedule from the time you remember your injection.
• If you inject too much Dupixent, get emergency medical assistance or contact a Poison Center expert right away at 1-800-222-1222.

Dupixent contraindications

Dupixent is contraindicated in patients who have had an allergic reaction to Dupixent or any of its inactive ingredients.

Dupixent warnings

• Severe hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis, serum sickness, and angioedema have occurred with Dupixent.
• Report new or worsening eye symptoms to your doctor as it could be due to conjunctivitis (pink eye) or keratitis.
• You should not discontinue topical, inhaled, or oral corticosteroids suddenly after starting Dupixent. Your doctor should gradually taper you off steroids.
• Report new or worsening joint pain to your doctor.
• You should be treated for any parasitic infections before starting Dupixent. It is not known if Dupixent will affect your body’s immune response to these infections.
• Avoid the use of live vaccines while taking Dupixent.

Dupixent drug interactions

When Dupixent is taken with other medicines, they may interact and change how they work. Make sure your healthcare provider is aware of all the medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements. You should avoid taking any live vaccines right before and during Dupixent treatment.

Side effects of Dupixent

Some of the most common side effects of Dupixent include:

• Injection site reactions
• Pink eye
• Blurred vision
• Oral herpes (cold sores)
• Insomnia
• Dry eye

Dupixent can cause some serious side effects including:

• Eosinophilia (increase in a type of white blood cells)
• Joint pain
• Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis (rash, hives, and shortness of breath).

Contact your doctor for medical advice about any side effects you experience while taking Dupixent. You can report your side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Dupixent alternatives

There are other medications that your healthcare professional can prescribe if Dupixent is not the right medication for you. Some alternative FDA-approved treatment options include:

• Nucala (mepolizumab)
• Fasenra (benralizumab)
• Xolair (omalizumab)
• Adbry (tralokinumab)

How does Dupixent (dupilumab) compare with Xolair (omalizumab) and Nucala (mepolizumab) for the treatment of nasal polyps?

Xolair, Dupixent, and Nucala are all indicated to treat chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (growths in your sinuses). There was an indirect comparison of these medications in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology that showed Dupixent to be more effective than Xolair and Nucala. Dupixent showed a 35% reduction in nasal polyp scores while Xolair showed an 18% reduction and Nucala a 15% reduction.

There are currently no generic alternatives available for Dupixent, Xolair, or Nucala. They are all very expensive medications. Dupixent costs over $3,000 for #2, 300mg/2ml syringes. Xolair costs over $1,000 for #2, 150mg/ml syringes. Nucala will cost around $3500 for #2, 100mg/ml autoinjectors.

Dupixent FAQs

How long does Dupixent stay in your system?

The half-life of Dupixent is not known. Based on the way your body breaks down natural IgG, we can expect Dupixent to remain in the system of adults and adolescents 12 to 17 years of age for 9 to 13 weeks. In pediatric patients 6 to 11 years of age, it will remain for up to 19 weeks, and in patients aged 6 months to 5 years, up to 32 weeks.

How do I store Dupixent?

Dupixent should be stored in the refrigerator between 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) in its original carton. You may keep Dupixent at room temperature up to 25°C (77°F) for a maximum of 14 days. Discard any unused Dupixent after 14 days. Do not freeze or shake Dupixent.

How long does it take for Dupixent to start working?

Patients being treated for moderate-to-severe eczema saw improvements in itching as little as 2 to 4 weeks and saw substantial skin improvement in 16 weeks.

Patients being treated for moderate-to-severe asthma and uncontrolled chronic rhinosinusitis saw symptom improvements within 2 weeks.

Patients suffering from eosinophilic esophagitis saw a reduction in symptoms such as trouble swallowing within 24 weeks.

Does Dupixent work for atopic dermatitis?

In clinical trials, over half of the patients using Dupixent for 16 weeks reported their atopic dermatitis symptoms were decreased by about 75%.

Is there a generic for Dupixent?

Currently, there is not a generic for Dupixent available on the market. However, you can still save on brand-name drugs like Dupixent with the help of NiceRx.