Dupixent (dupilumab) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat certain inflammatory conditions, such as atopic dermatitis (a type of eczema). Dupixent comes in a prefilled syringe or prefilled pen for injection under the skin.

Dupixent is used to treat the following in certain situations:

To learn more about Dupixent’s uses, see the “What is Dupixent used for?” section.

Dupixent basics

Dupixent contains the active ingredient dupilumab.

Dupixent belongs to a group of drugs called monoclonal antibodies, which are biologic medications. A biologic is made from parts of living organisms. It’s available only as a brand-name drug. It isn’t available in a biosimilar form.

Biosimilars are like generic drugs. But unlike generics, which are made for non-biologic drugs, biosimilars are made for biologic drugs.

Biosimilars will have the same active ingredient core name as the brand-name drug. But they’ll have unique suffixes. This is why “-abcd” appears at the end of the name of the active ingredient. This is to show that it’s distinct from biosimilars that may be created in the future.

Doctors may prescribe Dupixent for certain inflammatory conditions in adults and some children.

Dupixent treats these conditions by targeting a very specific part of your immune system. Read on to learn more about these conditions and how Dupixent is used for them.

Moderate to severe atopic dermatitis

Dupixent is used for atopic dermatitis (a type of eczema) in adults and children ages 6 months and older. It’s prescribed when topical medications (which are applied on the skin) are not working well to control atopic dermatitis symptoms. It’s also an option to try when those drugs can’t be used.

With atopic dermatitis, you have dry, itchy skin patches that can flare up into rashes. Certain triggers, such as scented soaps or detergents, can cause flare-ups of this condition. Atopic dermatitis is a skin condition that’s most common in children, but it can also continue into adulthood.

To treat atopic dermatitis, Dupixent can be used alone or with corticosteroids applied to the skin.

Moderate to severe asthma

Dupixent is used as an add-on treatment for certain types of asthma in adults and children ages 6 years and older. (As an add-on treatment, it’s used together with one or more other medications.) These types of asthma include:

  • eosinophilic asthma, which is asthma associated with high levels of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) in your body
  • asthma that must be treated with corticosteroids taken by mouth, such as Rayos (prednisone)

Asthma is a long-term condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of your airways. Symptoms of asthma can include:

Certain triggers, such as exercise or cold weather, can cause asthma symptoms to suddenly become severe. This is called an asthma attack.

It’s important to note that Dupixent should not be used to treat an asthma attack. Instead, you should use a rescue inhaler to ease asthma attack symptoms. Albuterol (ProAir HFA, Ventolin HFA) is an example of a rescue inhaler.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Dupixent is used to treat eosinophilic COPD in adults. When prescribed for this condition, Dupixent is used in combination with another COPD treatment.

With COPD, your airways become inflamed and coated in mucus, making breathing difficult. In some cases, COPD can produce increased levels of white blood cells called eosinophils. Symptoms of COPD include:

  • breathlessness
  • persistent cough
  • wheezing
  • difficulty breathing that worsens over time

It’s important to note that Dupixent is not intended to treat an active COPD flare-up (also known as an exacerbation). If you’re having a COPD flare-up, you should use a rescue inhaler, such as albuterol.

Chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps

Dupixent is used to treat chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps in adults and children ages 12 years and older. (Rhinosinusitis is swelling in your sinuses. Polyps are growths on the inside lining of your nose.)

Dupixent is used as an add-on treatment in people who are already using other treatments, but whose symptoms still aren’t well managed. As an add-on treatment, it’s used together with one or more other medications.

Your sinuses are the hollow spaces located behind your nose, forehead, and cheekbones. Sinusitis occurs when your sinuses become inflamed (swollen) due to allergies, recurrent sinus infections, or other causes. Sinusitis symptoms usually include:

  • runny nose
  • stuffy nose
  • pain or pressure in your face, especially around your eyes and nose
  • sore throat due to postnasal drip (drainage of mucus down the back of your throat)
  • reduced sense of smell

If you have sinusitis for longer than 3 months, it’s considered chronic sinusitis. Over time, nasal polyps can form in inflamed sinus tissue. They can make it more difficult to breathe through your nose.

Prurigo nodularis

Dupixent is used to treat prurigo nodularis in adults.

Prurigo nodularis is a long-term inflammatory skin condition. It causes itchy, hard bumps called nodules. The itchiness can be so severe that it affects quality of life. For example, it may cause difficulties with sleep.

It’s not certain what causes this condition, but it’s thought to result from scratching the skin.

For treating prurigo nodularis, Dupixent is usually used alone.

Eosinophilic esophagitis

Dupixent is used for eosinophilic esophagitis in adults and children ages 1 year and older who weigh at least 15 kilograms (about 33 pounds).

Eosinophilic esophagitis results from an increase of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) in the lining of your esophagus. (The esophagus is part of your digestive system. It’s a muscular tube that goes from your mouth to your stomach.) This increase in eosinophils causes inflammation, and the condition is usually long term. Symptoms can vary with age and may include:

  • difficulty swallowing
  • weight loss
  • heartburn
  • abdominal pain

For treating eosinophilic esophagitis, Dupixent is usually used alone. For more information, see this article about using Dupixent for eosinophilic esophagitis.

Using Dupixent with other drugs

It’s common for doctors to prescribe Dupixent along with other types of drugs.

Some examples of other kinds of drugs that you may take with Dupixent include:

If you have questions about taking other drugs with Dupixent, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Like most drugs, Dupixent may cause mild or serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects that Dupixent may cause. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.

The common side effects of Dupixent can vary with the condition it’s treating. Also, keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:

  • your age
  • other health conditions you have
  • other medications you may be taking

Some side effects of Dupixent may continue for as long as you’re receiving the drug. But no long-term side effects are known to affect people after they’ve stopped taking it.

If you have questions about side effects of Dupixent, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also see this article for details about Dupixent’s side effects.

Mild side effects

Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects that Dupixent can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Dupixent’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Dupixent that have been reported include:

Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may suggest ways to help reduce side effects.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Dupixent can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Dupixent, call your doctor right away. However, if you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects of Dupixent that have been reported include:

Allergic reaction

For some people, Dupixent can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help?

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should continue treatment with Dupixent.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Dupixent, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Dupixent that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.

Form and strengths

Dupixent comes as a liquid solution in prefilled syringes or prefilled pens. Each syringe or pen contains a single dose. You’ll receive Dupixent as an injection under your skin.

Dupixent prefilled syringes and prefilled pens are available in the following strengths, expressed in milligrams per milliliter of solution (mg/mL):

  • 200 mg/1.14mL
  • 300 mg/2 mL

Recommended dosage

For certain uses of Dupixent, doctors will prescribe a loading dose at the beginning of treatment. With a loading dose, a medication is started at a higher dose than the doses that follow. Loading doses get more of the drug into your body to help relieve your symptoms faster.

Dupixent’s loading dose is usually given at a doctor’s office. It includes two injections in two different areas of your body.

Your dosing schedule for Dupixent will be based on the condition it’s being used to treat and your age. Below are the dosages for adults:

  • Atopic dermatitis: A loading dose of Dupixent, followed by one dose every other week
  • Asthma: A loading dose of Dupixent, followed by one dose every other week
  • Chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps: One dose of Dupixent every other week
  • Prurigo nodularis: A loading dose of Dupixent, followed by one dose every other week
  • Eosinophilic esophagitis: One dose of Dupixent every week
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): One dose of Dupixent every other week

The pediatric dosages of Dupixent may vary for certain conditions based on a child’s age, as outlined below. (Note that Dupixent is not prescribed to treat prurigo nodularis or COPD in children.)

  • Atopic dermatitis:
    • Children ages 6 months to 5 years: One dose of Dupixent every 4 weeks
    • Children ages 6 years and older: A loading dose of Dupixent, followed by one dose every 4 weeks
  • Asthma:
    • Children ages 6 to 11 years: One dose of Dupixent either every other week or every 4 weeks
    • Children ages 12 years and older: A loading dose of Dupixent, followed by one dose every other week
  • Chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps:
    • Children ages 12 years and older: One dose of Dupixent every other week
  • Eosinophilic esophagitis:
    • Children ages 1 year and older: One dose of Dupixent every week

Pediatric dosages may also vary based on weight. For specific details, see this article about Dupixent’s dosage.

How to use

Your doctor will explain how you should inject Dupixent. They’ll also explain how much to inject and how often. Be sure to follow their instructions.

Dupixent is available as a liquid solution that’s given as an injection under your skin. You’ll receive your first dose at your doctor’s office. After that, your doctor may teach you or a caregiver how to give the injections at home.

Injecting Dupixent

For each Dupixent injection, you can choose one of the following injection sites:

  • thigh
  • abdomen, but not within 2 inches of your belly button
  • outer upper arm, but only if a caregiver gives you the injection

When you choose your injection site, avoid areas of skin that are painful, bruised, or scarred. Also, it’s best to choose a different site each time you inject Dupixent.

You can view step-by-step injection instructions for Dupixent injections on the manufacturer’s website.

Questions about taking Dupixent

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about taking Dupixent.

  • Should I take Dupixent with food? Since you receive Dupixent as an injection under your skin, when you eat does not affect how the drug works in your body.
  • What should I know about storing Dupixent? How long can it stay out of the refrigerator? You should keep Dupixent in the refrigerator at a temperature of 36–46°F (2–8°C). After you take Dupixent out of the refrigerator, you should let the drug come to room temperature before injecting it. Depending on which form you use, you may have to leave it out of the refrigerator for 30 or 45 minutes. Dupixent can be kept at room temperature (up to 77°F or 25°C) for up to 14 days. After that, it must be discarded. Be sure to keep Dupixent in its original carton to protect the drug from light.
  • How do you stop taking Dupixent? If you and your doctor decide that you’ll end Dupixent treatment, you simply won’t receive any more doses. There are no special instructions for stopping Dupixent.
  • What if I miss a dose of Dupixent? What to do about a missed dose of Dupixent depends on whether you receive injections at a doctor’s office or at home. It also depends on your dosing schedule. For details about what to do if you miss a dose of Dupixent, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
  • Will I need to use Dupixent long term? Dupixent is meant to be used long term. If you and your doctor decide that Dupixent is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.
  • How long does Dupixent take to work? Dupixent begins to work in your body after the first injection. But it may be a few weeks to months before you notice symptom relief.

Overdose

Do not use more Dupixent than your doctor prescribes. Taking more than this may lead to serious side effects.

What to do in case you take too much Dupixent

Call your doctor if you think you’ve used too much Dupixent. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers, or use its online resource. However, if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.

Questions for your doctor

You may have questions about Dupixent and your treatment plan. It’s important to discuss all your concerns with your doctor.

Here are a few tips that might help guide your discussion:

  • Before your appointment, write down questions such as:
    • How will Dupixent affect my body, mood, or lifestyle?
  • Bring someone with you to your appointment if doing so will help you feel more comfortable.
  • If you do not understand something related to your condition or treatment, ask your doctor to explain it to you.

Remember, your doctor and other healthcare professionals are available to help you. And they want you to get the best care possible. So, do not be afraid to ask questions or offer feedback on your treatment.

Find answers to some commonly asked questions about Dupixent.

What does Dupixent do to your immune system?

Dupixent is a monoclonal antibody drug, which works on very specific targets within your immune system. It’s not considered an immunosuppressant.

Dupixent isn’t known to weaken your immune system in a way that makes it easier for you to get infections. Instead, the drug reduces inflammation signals in your immune system that can cause the conditions Dupixent is used to treat, such as atopic dermatitis.

Keep in mind that inflammation signals are important for your immune system to respond to certain vaccines. For information about receiving vaccines during Dupixent treatment, see “Dupixent and vaccines” on this page.

If you have questions about Dupixent’s effects on your immune system, talk with your doctor.

What is Dupixent’s mechanism of action (how it works)? And how long does it last?

The conditions that Dupixent is prescribed to treat are all worsened by inflammation (swelling in your body). Dupixent helps to reduce symptoms of these conditions by reducing inflammation.

Specifically, Dupixent’s mechanism of action is to block certain proteins from binding to their receptors in your immune system. These proteins are called interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13).

Usually, when IL-4 and IL-13 bind to their receptors, your immune system releases proteins called cytokines. And this release of cytokines leads to inflammation.

The exact half-life of Dupixent isn’t known. (A drug’s half-life is the time it takes for your body to clear half of a dose of the drug.) But it takes about 3 months for Dupixent to be fully cleared from your system.

Is Dupixent used to treat cancer, dyshidrotic eczema, alopecia, or psoriasis?

No, Dupixent is only approved to treat the following conditions:

  • atopic dermatitis
  • asthma
  • chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps
  • prurigo nodularis
  • eosinophilic esophagitis
  • COPD

But it’s possible that healthcare professionals may prescribe this drug off-label for other conditions. (With off-label use, a drug is prescribed to treat a condition other than those it was approved for.)

If you have questions about Dupixent’s effectiveness for other conditions, talk with your doctor.

Can Dupixent cause weight gain, hair loss, diarrhea, or headache?

Dupixent should not cause weight gain, hair loss, diarrhea, or headache. These problems weren’t reported as side effects during studies of the drug.

Keep in mind that other drugs may be used along with Dupixent. These drugs, such as corticosteroids, often cause multiple side effects.

If you have concerns about any side effects while you’re using Dupixent, talk with your doctor.

Where can I find before and after pictures of Dupixent treatment?

You can view photos of results from Dupixent treatment of adults and children with eczema on the Dupixent manufacturer’s website.

How does Dupixent compare with Fasenra and Nucala?

Dupixent, benralizumab (Fasenra), and mepolizumab (Nucala) are similar in that they’re all monoclonal antibody drugs. (Monoclonal antibodies are large proteins that work on specific targets within your immune system.) These three medications are used for some of the same conditions, but they also have some different uses. And they contain different active drugs.

For instance, they’re all used to treat eosinophilic asthma in adults and some children.

For more information on Dupixent’s uses, see the “What is Dupixent used for?” section on this page.

Your healthcare professional can discuss the risks and benefits of the treatment options that are best for your condition.

Below is important information you should consider before using Dupixent.

Interactions

Taking medications, vaccines, foods, and other things with a certain drug can affect how the drug works. These effects are called interactions.

Dupixent is not known to interact with other medications, herbs, supplements, foods, or alcohol. The manufacturer did not list any interactions in the drug’s prescribing information. However, certain interactions may still be possible even if they have not been reported with Dupixent.

Before starting Dupixent treatment, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also, tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you take. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

For more information, see this Dupixent interactions article.

Dupixent and alcohol

Alcohol isn’t known to interact with Dupixent.

It’s likely safe to consume alcohol while receiving Dupixent injections. If you have questions about drinking alcohol during treatment with Dupixent, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can tell you how much alcohol, if any, is safe to drink with Dupixent.

Dupixent and vaccines

You should not receive live vaccines during your Dupixent treatment. This is because live vaccines contain weakened versions of the bacteria or virus that they’re meant to protect against.

Getting a live vaccine while you’re using Dupixent can increase your risk of infection. Examples of live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), rotavirus, and chickenpox.

If you need to receive a vaccine, talk with your doctor first to make sure it’s safe.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you can become pregnant or are breastfeeding, it’s important to consider whether Dupixent is a safe choice for you.

For more information, you can refer to this article on Dupixent and reproductive health. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor.

Warnings

Dupixent can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Dupixent is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before you inject Dupixent. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:

Dupixent (dupilumab) and Xolair (omalizumab) are both biologic drugs. They’re made from living cells rather than chemicals. Both drugs are types of monoclonal antibodies. They work by targeting very specific but different parts of your immune system.

Dupixent works by blocking inflammation signals. Xolair works by blocking a protein that’s involved in allergic reactions.

Dupixent and Xolair are both used to treat certain forms of asthma in adults and some children. They each have other uses, too.

For a more detailed comparison, see the “Dupixent vs. Xolair” section of this Dupixent overview article. Also, be sure to talk with your doctor about which drug is better for you.

Costs of prescription drugs can vary depending on many factors. These factors include what your insurance plan covers and which pharmacy you use. For more information, see this article about Dupixent and cost.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also visit the Dupixent manufacturer’s website to see support options, such as the Dupixent MyWay Copay Card.

In some cases, your doctor may recommend that you take a drug other than Dupixent, depending on the condition you have.

Some of the drugs listed below are used off-label for these conditions. With off-label use, a drug that’s approved for certain conditions is used for another condition.

Alternatives for atopic dermatitis (eczema)

Other treatments for atopic dermatitis include:

  • Drugs that you swallow, such as:
    • Imuran (azathioprine)
    • Trexall (methotrexate)
    • CellCept (mycophenolate)
    • Rayos (prednisone)
    • Sandimmune (cyclosporine)
  • Drugs that you apply to your skin, such as:
    • Eucrisa (crisaborole)
    • Elidel (pimecrolimus)
    • Protopic (tacrolimus)
    • Lidex (fluocinonide)
    • mometasone
    • Ala-Cort (hydrocortisone)
  • Phototherapy (ultraviolet light treatment)

Alternatives for asthma

Other drugs for asthma include:

  • Xolair (omalizumab)
  • Fasenra (benralizumab)
  • theophylline
  • Cinqair (reslizumab)
  • Nucala (mepolizumab)
  • inhaled medications such as Spiriva (tiotropium)
  • Singulair (montelukast)

Alternatives for chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps

Other treatments for chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps include:

  • saline (saltwater) nasal rinses, such as NeilMed
  • nasal steroid sprays, such as Flonase (fluticasone)
  • Singulair (montelukast)
  • oral corticosteroids, such as Rayos (prednisone)

Alternatives for prurigo nodularis

Other treatments for prurigo nodularis include:

  • topical corticosteroids, such as clobetasol
  • injectable corticosteroids, such as triamcinolone
  • Singulair (montelukast)

Alternatives for eosinophilic esophagitis

Other treatments for eosinophilic esophagitis:

  • liquid corticosteroids, such as Pulmicort Respules (budesonide)
  • proton pump inhibitors, such as Zegerid (omeprazole)
  • Fasenra (benralizumab)

Alternatives for COPD

Other treatments for COPD include:

  • long-acting beta-2 agonist (LABA) and long-acting muscarinic agonist (LAMA) combination drugs, such as Stiolto Respimat (tiotropium bromide/olodaterol)
  • triple therapy, such as Trelegy Ellipta (fluticasone furoate/umeclidinium/vilanterol) or Breztri Aerosphere (budesonide/formoterol fumarate/glycopyrrolate)
  • phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitors, such as Daliresp (roflumilast)

Q:

I have both atopic dermatitis and asthma. Will I need to take a higher dosage of Dupixent?

Anonymous

A:

No, your doctor likely will not prescribe a higher dosage of Dupixent if you have both atopic dermatitis and asthma.

Studies for Dupixent included some people who had atopic dermatitis and asthma. In these studies, the people received the usual recommended dosage of Dupixent. Higher doses of Dupixent have not been studied.

Talk with your doctor about the dosage of Dupixent that’s best for you.

The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.