Dupixent

What is Dupixent?

Dupixent is an injectable drug that is used to treat a range of inflammation-related ailments. Dupixent is a drug that blocks the inflammation response by connecting to an inflammatory protein referred to as the interleukin-4 (IL-4) receptor alpha subunit (IL-4Ra), which causes inflammation.

Treatment

Dupixent is used by adults and children ages 6 months or older to treat moderate to severe eczema that is moderate to severe (atopic skin eczema). It is prescribed to those suffering from eczema that is not controlled well with prescription treatments applied to the surface (topical) or who are unable to use topical treatments. Dupixent can be administered alongside or without the use of topical corticosteroids. Dupixent is prescribed to children and adults aged 6 years or older for treating moderate to severe asthma in adults and children who are at least 6 years old. It is combined with other asthma medications to maintain the treatment of patients with asthma that isn't managed by their current medications. Dupixent is prescribed only to the adult population to address a problem referred to as chronic rhinosinusitis (long-term sinus inflammation), which is caused by nasal polyps. Dupixent is a treatment for eosinophilic esophagitis for children and adults who are 12 years old or older and weigh at least 88.5 pounds (40 kg). Dupixent can also be utilized to treat adult sufferers of prurigo nodularis.

Warnings

Follow the directions on the label of your Dupixent and package insert. Be sure to inform your health care providers about your medical issues, allergies, and any other medications you take.

To be sure Dupixent is suitable for you, inform your doctor that you suffer from:

• An allergic reaction to dupilumab.
• If you're allergic to any of these drugs or any other drug, such as food, drinks, or substances, Discuss with your physician the allergy and what symptoms you noticed, including the appearance of a rash, hives, itching, coughing, wheezing or swelling of the lips, throat, or face, and other indications.

Dupilumab can be a drug that interacts with other medications or health issues. Talk to your pharmacist and doctor about all your medications (prescription or OTC, and natural products and vitamin supplements) and health issues. You should make sure that it's safe for you to use Dupixent along with your other medical and prescription drugs. Don't begin, stop, or alter the dosage of any medication without consulting your physician.

Before you take this drug

It is not recommended to use Dupixent if you have an allergy to dupilumab.

Dupixent should not be administered to a child who is younger than 6 months old for treating eczema, less than 6 years old to treat asthma, younger than 12 years old and weighing less than 88.5 pounds (40 kilograms) to treat eosinophilic reflux, or less than 18 years old for treating chronic rhinosinusitis, nasal polyposis, or prurigo nodularis. To ensure that Dupixent is suitable for you, inform your doctor if you suffer from:

• Eye issues.
• A parasite infection (such as tapeworms or roundworms).
• If you're planning to be treated with any vaccination.

If you take Dupixent to treat chronic rhinosinusitis or eczema with nasal polyposis, inform your doctor if you suffer from asthma. Consult your physician if you are nursing or pregnant. If you're expecting, then your name might be included on the registry for pregnancy to monitor Dupilumab's effects on the baby.

How to take Dupixent?

Make sure you use Dupixent exactly as directed by your physician. Follow the instructions on the label of your prescription, and make sure you read the medication's instructions or guides on the sheets. Dupixent does not serve as a cure-all medicine for asthma attacks. For an attack, only use quick-acting inhalation medication. Get medical attention if you notice that your breathing problems worsen rapidly or if you suspect that your asthma medications are not functioning as well. Dupixent is injected beneath the skin, typically at intervals of 2 and 4 weeks. The first dose can be administered with two injections. A doctor may instruct you on the proper use of the medication yourself. Be sure to read and follow the instructions for use that come along with your prescription. Consult your physician or pharmacist for clarification if you aren't sure about the instructions. Don't shake the prefilled injection pen or syringe. Only inject when you are able to. Avoid using the medication when it appears cloudy, changes color, or has particles. Contact your pharmacist to inquire about a new medication.

Place the medicine in its original container and keep it in the refrigerator. Be sure to keep it away from light and don't freeze. You can take a pen or syringe out of the fridge and allow it to reach temperatures of 30 to 45 minutes prior to injecting the dose. Keep the needle cap in place until you are ready to inject the dose. It is possible to keep a syringe that has been filled or a pen in a cool, dry room for up to 14 days. Discard the medicine in the event that it is not utilized within the 14-day period. Don't put it back in the refrigerator. Each syringe, syringe, or pen for injection is intended for one usage only. It is best to dispose of it after one use, even if there's still medicine within. The pre-filled pen is intended for use by children and adults who are 12 years old or older. The syringe that is pre-filled is intended for use by adults and children aged 6 months or older.

Make use of a needle, pen, or syringe only once, and then put the items in an impervious to puncture "sharps" container. Make sure you follow local or state laws regarding how to dispose of the container. Make sure it is out of reach of pets and children. If you're also using other treatments for eczema or asthma, don't alter the dosage or stop taking the other medications without a physician's guidance.

Details on dosage

Usual Adult Dose for Atopic Dermatitis:

Initial dosage: 600 mg subcutaneously (two 300 mg injectables in different locations).
Dosage for maintenance: 300 mg subcutaneously every two weeks.
Comments: This drug is able to be used in conjunction with or without corticosteroids applied to the skin.
Topical calcineurin inhibitors can be utilized, but they are best used in problematic regions only (e.g., the face, neck, intertriginous, and genital regions).
Use: To treat moderate to severe atopic dermatitis that cannot be effectively controlled with prescription topical treatments or when those treatments are not recommended.

Usual Adult Dose for Asthma:

Subcutaneously, 400 mg (two 200 mg subcutaneous injections on different sites) at first, and then 200 mg subcutaneously each second week.
600 mg administered subcutaneously (two 300 mg subcutaneous injections on different sites) first, then 300 mg every two weeks.
Patients who require corticosteroids for oral use or who have an underlying atopic dermatitis that is moderate to severe:
600 mg subcutaneously first, then 300 mg subcutaneously each other week.
Use: As a maintenance treatment for patients aged 12 and over who suffer from moderate to severe asthma with an eosinophilic phenotype or an oral corticosteroid-dependent asthma

Usual Adult Dose for Sinusitis:

300 mg subcutaneously, once a week.
Utilization: as an addition to maintenance treatment for adults who have chronic rhinosinusitis that is not adequately controlled and has nasal polyposis (CRSwNP),

Usual Adult Dose for Eosinophilic Esophagitis:

300 mg of subcutaneously administered medication every week

Use: To treat patients suffering from eosinophilic esophagitis.

Usual Adult Dose for Prurigo Nodularis:

Initial dosage Subcutaneously: 600 mg (two 300 mg infusions on different sites)
Dose for maintenance 300 mg subcutaneously once a week.

Use: To treat adults suffering from prurigo nodularis.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Atopic Dermatitis:

Between 6 months and 5 years old:
5-to-less than 15kg:
The starting dose is 200 mg subcutaneously (one 200 mg injection) every four weeks.

Every four weeks, take 200 mg subcutaneously (one 200 mg injection).
15 to less than 30kg:
The starting dose is 300 mg subcutaneously (one 300 mg injection) every four weeks.

300 mg subcutaneously (one 300 mg injection) every four weeks as a maintenance dose.

Between 6 and 17 years old:
15 to less than 30kg:
Initial dosage: 600 mg intracutaneously (two 300 mg infusions on different sites).
300 mg subcutaneously every 4 weeks as a maintenance dose.
30 to less than 60kg:
Initial dosage Subcutaneously, 400 mg (two 200 mg subcutaneous injections on different sites)
Maintaining a dose of 200 mg subcutaneously every two weeks
60 kg or more
Initial dosage: 600 mg intracutaneously (two 300 mg subcutaneous injections on different sites).
Maintenance dose: 300 mg subcutaneously once every two weeks.
Comments: This drug is able to be used in conjunction with or without corticosteroids applied to the skin.
Topical calcineurin inhibitors can be employed but should be used for problematic specific areas (e.g., facial neck, neck, intertriginous, genital area).
Treatment: Patients ranging from 6 months through 17 years old with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis that is not treated with prescription topical therapies or if those treatments are not appropriate.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Asthma:

From 6 to 11 years: 15 to 30 kg
Initial dosage and subsequent doses: 100 mg every second week or 300 mg once every four weeks
30 kg or more
Initial dosing and subsequent dosages: 200 mg once every two weeks
12-year-olds and over:
see adult dosage

Comments: For patients of the pediatric age group (6 until 11) suffering from co-morbid asthma and severe-to-moderate atopic dermatitis, follow the recommended dosage for children with atopic dermatitis in the first loading dosage.

Use as an add-on treatment for patients who are 6 years of age and older with moderate-to-severe asthma that is characterized by an eosinophilic-like phenotype or who suffer from oral corticosteroid-dependent asthma.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Eosinophilic Esophagitis:

300 mg subcutaneously each week

Use for the treatment of children aged 12 years and over with a weight of at least 40kg suffering from eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE).

What happens if I miss a dose?

If you missed your injection for seven days or less, take your missed dosage as quickly as you remember and return to your usual dose schedule. In the event that you're more than seven days late for the injection:

• To follow the weekly injection schedule Do not miss the missed dose, and then use the medication at your next appointment for injections.
• For the weekly schedule of every 4 weeks, start a new dose schedule on the day that you take the missed injection. Then, take your next dose four weeks later.

Avoid taking two doses at the same time.

What happens if I overdose?

Get medical attention in an emergency or contact the Poison Help line toll-free at 1-800-222-1222.

What should be avoided?

Don't receive a "live" vaccine while using Dupixent. The vaccine might not function at the same level during this period and could not fully safeguard you from illness. The live vaccines are measles, rubella, mumps (MMR), and rotavirus. yellow fever, typhoid varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and the nasal influenza (influenza) vaccine.

Side effects of Dupixent

Take immediate medical care. If you show symptoms for an allergy reaction, Dupixent: hives and itching; fever; swelling of glands and joint pain; feeling lightheaded and breathing difficult; and swelling of your lips, tongue, throat, or face. Dupixent can cause severe adverse effects. Consult your doctor immediately if you suffer from:

• New or worsening eye pain or discomfort.
• Vision change.
• Eyes that are watery (your eyes could become more sensitive to the light).
• Quick pulse.
• Stomach cramps.
• You feel like you're seeing something. You have the impression that something is in your eyes.
• Blood vessel inflammation—fever, chest pain, difficulty breathing—the skin may itch and numbness, or you may feel a prickly sensation in your legs or arms.

Common adverse effects of Dupixent can include:

• Discomfort, swelling, burning, or itching after an injection.
• Blood vessel inflammation.
• Eyes with redness or eyes that are puffy and itchy.
• Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
• Sore throat.
• Toothache.
• Sleep problems (insomnia).
• Symptoms of a cold, such as nasal stuffiness, sneezing, and sore throats.
• Blisters or skin sores that cause itching, tingling, or burning pains in your lower back.
• Muscles or joints muscle or joint pain.
• Cold sores or fever blisters on your lips or inside your mouth.

This is not an exhaustive list of probable side effects, and others may arise. Contact your doctor for advice regarding medical effects. You can report any side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Interaction with other drugs

Discuss with your doctor any other medications you take, including:

• Orally, inhaled, or topical steroid medication.
• Any medication to treat asthma.

This list isn't complete. Other drugs can interact with dupilumab. These include prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Some interactions with drugs are not listed here. are listed here.