Dupixent Review:
Generic name: dupilumab.
Drug class: Interleukin inhibitors.
What is Dupixent?
Dupixent is a prescription medicine that works by blocking two proteins that contribute to a type of inflammation that plays a major role in atopic dermatitis, asthma, and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis.
What is Dupixent used for?
Dupixent is used to treat moderate-to-severe eczema (atopic dermatitis) that cannot be controlled with topical medicines applied to the skin. It is used for eczema in adults and children who are at least 6 months old.
Dupixent is used together with other medications to treat moderate-to-severe asthma that is not controlled with other asthma medicines. It is used for asthma in adults and children who are at least 6 years old.
Dupixent is used to treat a condition called chronic rhinosinusitis (long-term sinus inflammation) that is associated with nasal polyps in adults.
Dupixent is also used to treat eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) in adults and children 12 years of age and older, who weigh at least 88 pounds (40 kg).
Warnings:
Follow all directions on your Dupixent label and package insert. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.
To make sure Dupixent is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
an allergy to dupilumab.
if you are allergic to any drugs like this one, any other drugs, foods, or other substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had, like rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
Dupilumab may interact with other drugs or health problems.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take Dupixent with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.
Before taking this medicine:
You should not use Dupixent if you are allergic to dupilumab.
Dupixent should not be given to a child younger than 6 years old to treat asthma or eczema.
To make sure Dupixent is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
eye problems;
a parasite infection (such as roundworms or tapeworms); or
if you are scheduled to receive any vaccine.
If you use Dupixent to treat eczema or chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis, tell your doctor if you also have asthma.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of dupilumab on the baby.
Dosing information:
Usual Adult Dose for Atopic Dermatitis:
Initial dose: 600 mg subcutaneously (two 300 mg injections at different sites)
Maintenance dose: 300 mg subcutaneously every other week
Comments:
-This drug can be used with or without topical corticosteroids.
-Topical calcineurin inhibitors may be used but should be reserved for problem areas only (e. g. , face, neck, intertriginous, genital areas).
Use: For moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis not adequately controlled with topical prescription therapies or when those therapies are not advisable
Usual Adult Dose for Asthma:
400 mg subcutaneously (two 200 mg injections at different sites) initially, followed by 200 mg subcutaneously every other week
OR
600 mg subcutaneously (two 300 mg injections at different sites) initially, followed by 300 mg subcutaneously every other week
For patients requiring concomitant oral corticosteroids or with comorbid moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis:
600 mg subcutaneously initially followed by 300 mg subcutaneously every other week.
Use: As add-on maintenance treatment in patients 12 years and older with moderate-to-severe asthma with an eosinophilic phenotype or with oral corticosteroid dependent asthma.
Usual Adult Dose for Sinusitis:
300 mg subcutaneously every other week
Use: As an add-on maintenance treatment in adult patients with inadequately controlled chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP)
Usual Adult Dose for Eosinophilic Esophagitis:
300 mg subcutaneously every week
Use: For the treatment of adults with eosinophilic esophagitis
Dupixent side effects:
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Dupixent: hives, rash, itching; fever, swollen glands, joint pain; feeling light-headed, difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
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