How To Inject Dupixent
Dupixent is given as a subcutaneous injection . You should take Dupixent according to your doctor or pharmacists instructions.
For your first dose of Dupixent for treating eczema or asthma, you will typically get two injections in two different areas of your body. Usually, the first dose is given at your doctors office. After the first dose, most people only need one dose every other week.
For treating chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, treatment starts and continues with one dose every other week.
Your doctor can teach you how to give yourself injections, or you can go to their office for injections. For children, its recommended that the doctor gives the injections in their office.
Dupixent syringes and pens should be stored in the refrigerator at 36 to 46°F .
Before using Dupixent, remove it from the refrigerator and let it reach room temperature. Depending on the form of Dupixent youre using, youll need to leave it out of the fridge for either 30 minutes or 45 minutes.
Never heat Dupixent syringes or pens, or put them in the sunlight.
Dupixent can be injected into your thigh, upper arm, or stomach. Dupixent shouldnt be injected within 2 inches of your belly button. Use a different area each time you inject, and dont inject into skin thats bruised, damaged, tender, or scarred.
Be sure to dispose of the used syringe properly in a sharps container.
There are detailed instructions for Dupixent injections on the drugs website.
Which Topical Steroid Is Most Suitable
The choice of topical steroid will depend on the persons age, how severe the is, and which area of the body is affected. Low-potency and moderate-potency corticosteroids are usually enough to keep eczema at bay. Generally speaking,
- topical corticosteroids of low to moderate potency are particularly suitable for the treatment of in areas where the skin is sensitive and thin. These include the face, the back of the knees, the insides of the elbows, the groin area and the armpits.
- High-potency and ultra-high-potency corticosteroids are used for the treatment of severe on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, or for the treatment of eczema on very thick skin.
- High-potency and ultra-high-potency corticosteroids shouldnt be used on rashes that cover a large area of skin.
- Very sensitive areas such as your neck or genitals should only be treated with low-potency corticosteroids.
It is also possible to switch between products of different strengths. For example, some doctors recommend starting treatment with a high-potency corticosteroid in order to get the flare-up under control as quickly as possible, and then switching to a weaker corticosteroid after a few days. Others prefer to start with a low-potency corticosteroid and only change to a stronger one if the first medication doesnt work well enough. Its best to talk with your doctor about your preferred strategy.
Will I Have Withdrawal Symptoms If I Stop Using Dupixent
Its not likely that youll experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking Dupixent. Withdrawal refers to symptoms that occur when you stop taking a drug that your body is dependent on.
However, if you take steroid pills such as prednisone to control your symptoms, you may have withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking those. Symptoms of withdrawal from suddenly stopping a steroid includes weakness, nausea, vomiting, and feeling tired.
You shouldnt stop taking steroid medications abruptly or without talking to your doctor. Its best to slowly lower your dose of steroids before stopping entirely.
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Questions About Taking Dupixent
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about taking Dupixent.
- Should I take Dupixent with food? Since youll inject Dupixent 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°F to 46°F . 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 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 youll end Dupixent treatment, you simply wont inject any further doses. There are no special instructions for stopping Dupixent.
Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Dupixent thats right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.
Whats The Difference Between Dermatitis And Psoriasis
Psoriasis and dermatitis can appear similar. Both cause patches of red skin. However, in psoriasis, the scales are thick and the edges of those scales are well-defined.
Discuss with your healthcare provider your questions about which type of skin condition you have. You can have more than one skin condition at a time. Treatments for one may not work for the other.
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What Do I Need To Know About Biologics Used To Treat Eczema
- Dupixent is administered by injection every 14 days.
- Dupixent is approved for adults and children ages 6 months and older to uncontrolled moderate-to-severe eczema.
- Dupixent can be used with or without topical corticosteroid creams or ointments.
- Biologic medications are expensive and are not always covered by insurance.
- There is a risk of eye-related side effects.
Can You Prevent Or Cure Eczema
While there is no known cure for eczema, the control of stress, nervousness, anxiety, and depression can be beneficial in treating and helping to avoid an eczema flare-up in some cases.Studies have shown that children who are breast-fed are less likely to get eczema, as well as children whose mother’s did not ingest cow’s milk while breast-feeding.
If eczema runs in a babys family, using moisturizing creams or ointments on infants may help to delay eczema symptom onset, but it is not known if this will prevent long-term eczema. Check with your pediatrician before using any medication for your newborn.
To lessen the effects from eczema:
- avoid harsh soaps
- moisturize regularly and within 10 minutes of taking your bath if you use prescription medications, apply these first and wait 10 minutes
- identify and avoid known eczema triggers
- use lukewarm water instead of hot water in the bath or shower
- limits baths and showers to 15 minutes or less
- dry off gently after your baths.
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Dupixent For Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps
Dupixent is approved to treat chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps in adults. Its used when the condition is not well controlled by other treatments.
Dupixent is used as an add-on treatment in people with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps who are already taking another medication to treat it. Rhinosinusitis is when your sinus cavities swell and cause pain or pressure in your face, along with congestion. Rhinosinusitis becomes chronic when it lasts for 12 weeks or longer.
Nasal polyps are tissue growths in the nose that are noncancerous. People with chronic rhinosinusitis usually have an increased number of eosinophil cells in their nasal and sinus cavities. Eosinophils are immune system cells that increase swelling in the area.
Dupixent helps by reducing swelling in the area, which relieves symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.
In clinical trials, Dupixent greatly decreased nasal and sinus symptoms caused by chronic rhinosinusitis. It also helped improve peoples sense of smell. Reduced ability to smell is a common side effect of nasal polyps.
After 24 weeks, people taking Dupixent experienced a 51% to 59% decrease in nasal congestion. In comparison, people taking a placebo experienced a 16% to 18% decrease in nasal congestion.
Does Dupixent Have Any Interactions
Taking medications, vaccines, foods, and other things with a certain drug can affect how the drug works. These effects are called interactions.
Before taking Dupixent, be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter types. Also, make a list of any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions these items may cause with Dupixent.
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What Types Of Moisturizers Are Used To Treat Eczema
When considering a moisturizer, the first thing to look for is how much oil it contains. The more oil in a moisturizer, the better it is for treating eczema. If your skin feels greasy or sticky after applying a moisturizer, that means the product likely contains plenty of oil.
Look for products that do not contain added ingredients such as fragrances, dyes or alcohols that can irritate the skin.
How Does Dupixent Compare With Fasenra And Nucala
Dupixent, Fasenra, and Nucala are similar in that theyre all monoclonal antibodies drugs. 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, theyre all used to treat eosinophilic asthma in adults and some children.
Nucala is also used to treat other conditions, such as:
- eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis
- hypereosinophilic syndrome in some people
And Dupixent is also used for:
For more information on Dupixents uses, see the What is Dupixent used for? section above.
Your healthcare professional can discuss the risks and benefits of the treatment options that are best for your condition.
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Side Effects Requiring Immediate Medical Attention
Along with its needed effects, coal tar topical 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 as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur while taking coal tar topical:
Rare
- Skin irritation not present before use of this medicine
- skin rash
If I Start To Feel Unwell Or I Have A Concern What Should I Do
Because methotrexate is an immunosuppressant medication, people taking it can be more susceptible to infection. Therefore, you should inform your doctor or specialist nurse if you experience a fever, sore throat, any infection or unexplained bleeding/bruising. Patients who have not had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccination and who come into contact with either chickenpox or shingles should inform their doctor immediately.
If you have any other concerns , you should contact your doctor or specialist nurse. Contact details for your doctor or specialist nurse should be in your methotrexate booklet.
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Importance Of Eczema Treatment
There is growing evidence that allergens introduced into the body through the skin can lead to the later development of food allergy, asthma and hay fever. Aggressively treating eczema in children and taking steps to restore normal skin barrier function may lower the risk of future development of these conditions.
Try To Reduce The Damage From Scratching
Eczema is often itchy, and it can be very tempting to scratch the affected areas of skin.
But scratching usually damages the skin, which can itself cause more eczema to occur.
The skin eventually thickens into leathery areas as a result of chronic scratching.
Deep scratching also causes bleeding and increases the risk of your skin becoming infected or scarred.
Try to reduce scratching whenever possible. You could try gently rubbing your skin with your fingers instead.
If your baby has atopic eczema, anti-scratch mittens may stop them scratching their skin.
Keep your nails short and clean to minimise damage to the skin from unintentional scratching.
Keep your skin covered with light clothing to reduce damage from habitual scratching.
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Is Eucrisa Safe To Use On Your Face
Yes, its safe to use Eucrisa on your face, including your eyelids and around your mouth. Just take care to avoid getting it inside your eyes or mouth.
Eucrisa can sometimes cause a burning or stinging feeling when you apply it. Since facial skin is more delicate, you may be more likely to have these sensations when using Eucrisa on your face. But there are no restrictions about applying it there.
Your doctor may recommend that you dont use certain other eczema medications on your face. This is because the skin is more delicate there. Facial skin can also absorb more medication than skin on other areas of the body.
Some eczema medications, such as strong steroid creams, are more likely to cause side effects if you use them on your face.
Learn more about some of the side effects that Eucrisa may cause.
Other Topical Medication For Eczema
TCIs don’t contain steroids. Instead, they control inflammation and reduce eczema flare-ups by suppressing the immune system.
Though TCIs don’t cause the same side effects as topical corticosteroids, patients should only use them for short periods of time. A boxed warning alerts patients to the possible cancer risk associated with these drugs.
PDE4 inhibitors, another class of topical drugs for eczema, work by blocking an enzyme called phosphodiesterase 4 from producing too much inflammation in the body. There is currently only one PDE4 inhibitor on the market: Eucrisa , which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2016.
In September 2021, the FDA approved the skin cream Opzelura , the first JAK inhibitor for atopic dermatitis.
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What Do I Need To Know About Oral Or Injectable Steroids Used To Treat Eczema
Oral or injectable corticosteroids:
- Should be used short-term only follow recommended dosing schedule closely.
- Are approved for severe or difficult-to-treat eczema.
- Side effects may include bone loss, diabetes, weight gain and eye problems.
- Skin may flare when medication is stopped.
- To prevent health risks from overuse of corticosteroids, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all current or recent use of corticosteroids, including oral, inhaled, nasal, topical and eye drops.
Things To Consider With Otc Products
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration decides whether a medicine is safe enough to sell over the counter. However, using OTC medicines still has potential risks. Some interact with other prescription or OTC medicines, supplements, foods or beverages. Others cause problems for people with certain medical conditions. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider before taking any OTC medicines for eczema.
Its important to correctly follow directions for OTC medicines and be careful when administering them to children. You should never take OTC eczema drugs for longer durations or in higher doses than the product label recommends.
Some common OTC treatments for eczema include:
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What Is Eczema What Does It Look And Feel Like
Eczema is a condition that causes your skin to become dry, red, itchy and bumpy. Its one of many types of dermatitis. Eczema damages the skin barrier function . This loss of barrier function makes your skin more sensitive and more prone to infection and dryness.
Eczema doesnt harm your body. It doesnt mean that your skin is dirty or infected, and its not contagious. There are treatments that can help manage your symptoms.
In the word dermatitis, derm means skin and itis means inflammation. The word as a whole means inflammation of the skin. Eczema originates from the Greek word ekzein which means to boil over or break out.
What Questions Should I Ask My Healthcare Provider About Eczema
- How can you tell that I have eczema?
- If I dont have eczema, what other skin condition might I have?
- Is there a specific brand of moisturizer that you recommend?
- Is there a prescription cream that you can prescribe?
- How often should I see a dermatologist regarding my eczema?
- What soaps, lotions, makeup, etc. should I avoid?
- What medications do you recommend?
- What at-home treatments do you recommend?
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Eczema is very normal, very common, and very, very uncomfortable. It can affect your quality of life. At its worse it can keep you from sleeping, distract you and make you feel self-conscious in public. See your dermatologist or other healthcare provider as soon as you start to see signs of it. Explore at-home remedies and prescribed treatments.
Youre not alone! 15% to 20% of people experience eczema or another type of dermatitis at some point in their lives.
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Do Moisturizers Help Eczema
Moisturizers are the first-line therapy in treating eczema. They help protect the outer layer of the skin by sealing in moisture, combating dryness, keeping out allergens, irritants and bacteria and preventing flare-ups. And they soothe the skin for long-lasting hydration.
Doctors recommend you apply a moisturizer at least twice per day, including once after a bath or shower. Develop a schedule so that moisturizing becomes part of your skincare routine.
If you experience symptoms on your hands, keep moisturizer by all sinks in the home or carry a small tube with you. This way you can easily moisturize every time you wash your hands throughout the day.
What Does Dupixent Cost
Costs of prescription drugs can vary depending on many factors. These factors include what your insurance plan covers and which pharmacy you use. To find current prices for Dupixent in your area, visit WellRx.com.
If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also visit the Dupixent manufacturers website to see support options.
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 eczema in adults and kids ages 6 years and older. Its prescribed when medications applied on the skin are not working well to control eczema symptoms. Its also an option to try when those drugs cant be used.
With eczema, you have dry, itchy skin patches that can flare up into rashes. Certain triggers, such as scented soaps or detergents, can cause eczema flare-ups. Eczema is a skin condition thats most common in children, but it can also continue into adulthood.
To treat eczema, 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. These types of asthma include:
- increased mucus
Chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps
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