Key takeaways
- Dupixent (dupilumab) is used to treat eczema that has not responded to topical medications. It’s approved for this use in adults and children ages 6 months and older.
- Some of Dupixent’s side effects may be more common when used for eczema than for other conditions. Common side effects of Dupixent for eczema include injection site reactions, cold sores, and eye problems, such as itchy or dry eyes.
- Dupixent starts to work within 16 weeks of your first dose. However, it becomes more effective with long-term treatment.
Dupixent is not a steroid. However, it may be prescribed in combination with a topical steroid for eczema.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Dupixent to treat eczema and several other inflammatory conditions. This article will focus on how Dupixent works to treat eczema.
Characteristics of eczema include dry and itchy skin rashes that form due to an overreaction of the immune system.
The active ingredient in Dupixent, dupilumab, belongs to a class of medications called monoclonal antibodies. These medications inhibit molecules called interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 from binding with their receptors.
Blocking the action of these molecules deters the inflammatory reaction that causes symptoms of eczema and other inflammatory conditions.
What is eczema?
Eczema is also called atopic dermatitis. It’s characterized by periodic flare-ups of skin rashes that are:
- dry
- itchy
- discolored
- irritated
- hard, thick, or scaly
Eczema
To learn more about eczema and its triggers, see this article.
How does Dupixent work?
You’ll receive Dupixent as an injection under your skin. The recommended dosage for adults is an initial dose of two 300-milligram (mg) injections in different parts of your body, followed by a 300-mg injection every other week.
Your body absorbs the medication from injections under your skin more slowly than intravenous (IV) injections, which go directly into your bloodstream.
How quickly does Dupixent work for eczema?
Dupixent reaches its maximum concentration in the blood approximately 7 days after your injections. Many people see improvements in their symptoms by their 16-week follow-up appointment. Sometimes, symptoms improve within a couple of weeks.
Like all medications, Dupixent has the potential to cause side effects. Some side effects may be more common when using Dupixent to treat eczema than when treating other conditions.
In clinical trials, the most common side effects of Dupixent were mild.
Common side effects
Common side effects of Dupixent for eczema can include:
- injection site reactions
- pink eye (conjunctivitis)
- eyelid inflammation (blepharitis)
- corneal inflammation (keratitis)
- itchy eyes
- flare-up of existing herpes infection, including oral herpes (cold sores)
- dry eyes
Dupixent doesn’t cause herpes infection but may activate the virus if it is already in your body.
What are the most serious side effects of Dupixent?
Serious side effects of Dupixent can include:
- hypersensitivity reaction, including anaphylactic shock
- serious eye complications
- eosinophilic conditions
- joint stiffness (arthralgia)
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Dupixent for eczema.
How long do you take Dupixent for eczema?
People receiving dupilumab are usually reviewed after 16 weeks to see how well their treatment is working. If the treatment isn’t working at this time, your doctor may recommend that you stop taking dupilumab.
If you have questions about how long you’ll take Dupixent for eczema, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Are there any patient reviews about taking Dupixent for eczema?
The Dupixent website provides testimonials from people who have taken Dupixent. It’s important to keep in mind that a company selling a medication might not include critical reviews.
The website askapatient.com also provides reviews from people who have taken medication. However, these reviews are not verified and may contain incorrect information.
Several factors can affect Dupixent’s cost. These can include your prescribed treatment regimen, insurance plan, location, and the pharmacy you use.
Dupixent is a brand-name biologic medication. It’s not available as a generic or biosimilar drug. In general, biologic drugs tend to cost more than biosimilars.
However, coupons and savings programs may help reduce your out-of-pocket costs for Dupixent. To learn more about how to save money on your Dupixent prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Dupixent injections are FDA approved to treat eczema that has not responded to topical medications. Many people notice improvements in their symptoms within 16 weeks.
Many insurance providers cover some or all of the cost of Dupixent, but the drug can be expensive without insurance coverage.
Before prescribing Dupixent, your doctor will likely recommend other medications, such as steroid creams, to check whether these may help your condition. Your doctor can advise whether Dupixent is the right treatment for you.