Still Withdrawing From Dupixent
A little over a year later, I am currently on my 11th round of withdrawals from Dupixent. The longest I have gone without the drug was 8 weeks . I still get the cold sores and the rashes, but later on in the withdrawal process – between the 5th and 8th-week mark. I am very fortunate that every time I inject myself, the drug takes about 3 days for it to kick in and then the round of withdrawal begins again.
Get Ahead With Clearer Skin And Less Itch
DUPIXENT was studied in 3 clinical trials with more than 2,100 adults with uncontrolled
In a 52-week clinical trial adults taking DUPIXENT + a topical corticosteroid saw:
~3Xadultsclear or almost clear skin ~4Xadultsitch reduction
The most common side effects in adult patients were injection site reactions, eye and eyelid inflammation, including redness, swelling, and itching, sometimes with blurred vision, and cold sores in your mouth or on your lips.
Does Dupixent Come In A Pill Or Cream
No. Like all biologics, Dupixent is made from proteins, and must be given by injection. If given in a pill, our digestive tract will easily break these proteins down much like it does when we eat a piece of steak and make the drug ineffective.
Also like all biologics, Dupixent is considered a large molecule drug. When applied topically, large molecule drugs are unable to penetrate the skins surface to carry the medication to the immune system.
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Who Should Not Take Dupixent
Dupilumab should not be given to a child younger than 12 years old to treat asthma, or younger than 6 years old to treat eczema. Tell your doctor if you have ever had: eye problems a parasite infection or.
Can Dupixent cause hair loss? Official Answer. Although hair loss is not reported in the product information as a side effect of Dupixent, there have been rare reports of hair loss published since the drug was approved. It is possible that Dupixent can cause hair loss in a very small number of people .
How good is Dupixent?
Dupixent has an average rating of 6.7 out of 10 from a total of 149 ratings for the treatment of Eczema. 55% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 27% reported a negative effect.
Is Dupixent a steroid? Not a Steroid. DUPIXENT is something different: the only dual-targeting biologic treatement for moderate-to-severe asthma. Its taken by injection under the skin . It is taken differently than oral steroids and inhalers.
What Is Dupixent And What Is It Used For
Dupixent is a prescription medicine used:
- to treat people aged 12 years and older with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin , or who cannot use topical therapies. Dupixent can be used with or without topical corticosteroids.
- with other asthma medicines for the maintenance treatment of moderate-to-severe asthma in people aged 12 years and older whose asthma is not controlled with their current asthma medicines. Dupixent helps prevent severe asthma attacks and can improve your breathing. Dupixent may also help reduce the amount of oral corticosteroids you need while preventing severe asthma attacks and improving your breathing.
- Dupixent works by blocking two proteins that contribute to a type of inflammation that plays a major role in atopic dermatitis and asthma.
- Dupixent is not used to treat sudden breathing problems.
- It is not known if Dupixent is safe and effective in children with atopic dermatitis under 12 years of age.
- It is not known if Dupixent is safe and effective in children with asthma under 12 years of age.
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Pregnancy And Breastfeeding While Taking Dupixent
Heres some information about pregnancy, breastfeeding, and Dupixent treatment.
Pregnancy. Its not known whether its safe to use Dupixent while pregnant. If you and your doctor agree that using the medication is the best option for you while pregnant, you may want to join a pregnancy registry. The registry monitors the health of people who use Dupixent during pregnancy. To learn more or sign up, call 877-311-8972 or visit the registry website. You can also talk with your doctor.
Breastfeeding. Its not known whether Dupixent passes into human breast milk or is safe to use while breastfeeding. Your doctor can advise you on the pros and cons of the medication. They can also recommend healthy feeding options for your child.
Side Effects Requiring Immediate Medical Attention
Along with its needed effects, dupilumab may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking dupilumab:
More common
- Burning or dry eyes
- excessive tearing
- pain, redness, irritation, itching, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
Less common
- blistering, crusting, or reddening of the skin
- burning, tingling, or numbness in the hands and feet
- chest pain
- painful cold sores or blisters on the lips, nose, eyes, or genitals
- painful or difficult urination
- pain in the groin or legs, especially the calves
- pain or swelling in the joints
- sudden, severe weakness or numbness in the arm or leg
- swelling of the hands, face, or mouth
- trouble breathing
- vision changes
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What Drugs Interact With Dupixent
Live Vaccines
Avoid use of live vaccines in patients treated with Dupixent.
Non-Live Vaccines
Immune responses to vaccination were assessed in a study in which subjects with atopic dermatitis were treated once weekly for 16 weeks with 300 mg of dupilumab . After 12 weeks of Dupixent administration, subjects were vaccinated with a Tdap vaccine and a meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine . Antibody responses to tetanus toxoid and serogroup C meningococcal polysaccharide were assessed 4 weeks later. Antibody responses to both tetanus vaccine and meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine were similar in dupilumab-treated and placebo-treated subjects. Immune responses to the other active components of the Adacel and Menomune vaccines were not assessed.
If You Experience Any Of These Symptoms Stop Using Dupilumab Injection And Call Your Doctor Immediately Or Get Emergency Medical Treatment:
- swelling of the face, eyelids, tongue, or throat
- swollen lymph nodes
- tightness in the chest or throat
- itching
- fainting, dizziness, or feeling lightheaded
- joint pain
- flat, firm, hot, red and painful skin lumps
- fever
Dupilumab injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone .
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Is Cancer One Of Dupixents Side Effects
No, cancer isnt known to be a side effect of Dupixent. People using the drug in its clinical studies didnt report developing cancer.
But another drug used to treat asthma, Xolair , may increase your risk of certain types of cancer. These include breast cancer and skin cancer.
If you have concerns about your risk of cancer or questions about Dupixent, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Learn more about some of the side effects that Dupixent may cause.
Will I Be Able To Get Vaccines While Im Using Dupixent
You shouldnt get any live vaccines while taking Dupixent. For live vaccines, youre injected with a small amount of a virus so your body can learn to fight it. You shouldnt get these vaccines while using Dupixent because the drug may weaken your immune system. If this happens, your body wont be able to properly fight the vaccine, and it may make you sick.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about what vaccines you may need. Its best to get any needed vaccines before starting Dupixent.
Live vaccines you should avoid while taking Dupixent include:
- measles, mumps, rubella
- typhoid
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Dupixent Is Indicated In:
Atopic Dermatitis: for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients aged 6 months and older with moderatetosevere atopic dermatitis whose disease is not adequately controlled with topical prescription therapies or when those therapies are not advisable. DUPIXENT can be used with or without topical corticosteroids.
Asthma: as an add-on maintenance treatment of adult and pediatric patients aged 6 years and older with moderatetosevere asthma characterized by an eosinophilic phenotype or with oral corticosteroid dependent asthma. Limitation of Use: DUPIXENT is not indicated for the relief of acute bronchospasm or status asthmaticus.
Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyposis : as an addon maintenance treatment in adult patients with inadequately controlled chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis.
Eosinophilic Esophagitis: for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients aged 12 years, weighing at least 40 kg, and older with eosinophilic esophagitis .
Eosinophilic Esophagitis: for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients aged 12 years and older, weighing at least 40 kg, with eosinophilic esophagitis .
aThe mechanism of dupilumab action has not been definitively established.
The DUPIXENT 200 mg and 300 mg Pre-filled Pens are available for your appropriate patients aged 12+ years
CONTRAINDICATION: DUPIXENT is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to dupilumab or any of its excipients.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
ADVERSE REACTIONS:
Does Dupixent Cause Cancer
No, Dupixent isnt known to cause cancer. An increased risk of cancer wasnt reported in clinical studies of the drug.
However, other drugs used to treat asthma can increase the risk of cancer. An example is omalizumab , which may increase the risk of skin, breast, and prostate cancer.
To learn more about cancer and Dupixent, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
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More Common Side Effects Of Dupixent
Dupixent can cause certain side effects , some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days or weeks. But if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Dupixent in clinical studies. These side effects can vary depending on the condition the drug is being used to treat.
More common side effects in people taking Dupixent for atopic dermatitis include:
- reactions where the drug is injected, such as pain and swelling
These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days or weeks. But if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Note: After the Food and Drug Administration approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Dupixent and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.
* For details, see the Side effect specifics section below. For more information, see Eosinophilic conditions in the Side effect specifics section below.
Why Is This Medication Prescribed
Dupilumab injection is used to treat the symptoms of eczema in adults and children 6 years and older who cannot use other medications for their condition or whose eczema has not responded to other medications. It is also used along with other medications to prevent wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightness due to certain types of asthma in adults and children 6 years and older whose symptoms are not controlled with other medications. Dupilumab injection is also used along with other medications to treat chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis in adults whose symptoms are not controlled with other medications. Dupilumab injection is in a class of medications called monoclonal antibodies. It works by stopping the action of certain substances in the body that cause the symptoms of eczema.
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What Is Dupixent Used For
The Food and Drug Administration approved Dupixent to treat the following conditions:
- Moderate to severe atopic dermatitis in people aged 6 years or older when topical prescription medicines are not working well enough. Atopic dermatitis is also called eczema and causes an itchy, red, dry, and scaly skin rash. The condition is more common in young children but can affect people of any age.Treatment options for eczema that healthcare providers may recommend first include moisturizers and steroid creams or ointments. If these are not causing sufficient relief, your healthcare provider may prescribe Dupixent.
- Add-on treatment for certain types of moderate to severe asthma in people at least 6 years old. Dupixent can help with eosinophilic or oral steroid-dependent asthma by blocking the inflammatory proteins that can cause difficulty breathing in these types of asthma.
- Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis in adults at least 18 years old. CRSwNP is a disease of the upper airway where tissue forms into teardrop-shaped growths in the nostrils, causing congestion and/or loss of smell.
Verywell / Dennis Madamba
What Other Medications Interact With Dupixent
You should avoid live vaccinations while youâre taking Dupixent. Live vaccines include:
- Chickenpox vaccines
- FluMist
- MMR vaccines
- Japanese encephalitis vaccine
- Smallpox vaccine
- Yellow fever vaccine
- Rinvoq
- Xolair
This is a list of drugs also prescribed for immune-mediated conditions such as arthritis, skin conditions or asthma. It is NOT a list of drugs recommended to take with Dupixent. In fact, you should not take these drugs together. Ask your pharmacist or a healthcare practitioner if you have questions.
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Serious Side Effects Of Dupixent
Dupixent may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Dupixents patient information.
If you develop serious side effects while taking Dupixent, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think youre having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
Serious side effects that have been reported with Dupixent include:
- eye-related side effects*
* For details about this, see the Side effect specifics section below.
Can Using Dupixent Increase Your Risk For Cancer
No, thats not likely. Studies havent found any increased risk of cancer in people who receive Dupixent.
There is an increased risk of cancer with certain immunosuppressant medications used to treat severe eczema or asthma. Immunosuppressants weaken your immune system, which is your bodys defense against disease. These medications can reduce your bodys ability to find and kill cancerous cells.
But Dupixent doesnt weaken your entire immune system. It only affects a couple of immune system proteins. So its unlikely to affect your bodys ability to find and destroy cancerous cells.
Learn more about some of the side effects Dupixent may cause.
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How Long Does It Take To Work
Dupixent begins to work after the first injection. However, it may take a few weeks before you notice an improvement in symptoms.
In a clinical study, more than 36% of adults with eczema had relief from itching in 16 weeks or less while taking Dupixent. In children ages 12 to 17 years old, 37% had itching relief in 16 weeks.
You should continue treatment for at least 16 weeks to determine if Dupixent works for you. If your eczema, asthma, or chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps isnt responding or improving after 16 weeks, talk with your doctor. You can discuss whether you should keep taking Dupixent or switch to another treatment.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Dupixent.
Who Is Dupilumab For
DupiIumab is licensed for the treatment of adults and children aged 12-17 with moderate to severe eczema and children with severe eczema aged 6-11, who are possible candidates for systemic therapy. It is unlikely that anyone whose eczema is not at the severe end of the spectrum will be considered for dupilumab. To be eligible for dupilumab you will usually need to have tried at least one immunosuppressive drug and the drug needs to have not worked effectively for you. You may also be eligible for dupilumab if you have been found to be ineligible for immunosuppressive drugs for example, if it is known that your body will not tolerate them. Dupilumab is significantly more expensive than other drugs currently available for eczema, which might make it more difficult to access.
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What Other Drugs Could Interact With This Medication
There may be an interaction between dupilumab and any of the following:
- live vaccines
If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter , and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 2022. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/Dupixent