How Long Does It Take for Dupixent to Work? Plus, 8 Other Dupixent FAQs

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Dupixent (dupilumab) is a prescription-only medication that treats many inflammatory health conditions, including asthma and atopic dermatitis (eczema). These conditions are long-lasting - and may even persist over a lifetime - but Dupixent can make a noticeable and positive difference.

Improvements from Dupixent don't typically happen overnight. But you should see a response in due time. Below, we answer nine frequently asked questions about the medication, including how long it takes Dupixent to work.

1. How long does it take for Dupixent to work?

Dupixent starts working gradually. In most cases, it takes a few weeks to notice improvements. The specific time frame also depends on the condition being treated.

Keep in mind: The information below comes from clinical studies. It may take you more or less time to respond to Dupixent since responses vary from one person to the next.

Atopic dermatitis

In clinical trials, people saw initial improvements in their atopic dermatitis symptoms, including itching, in about 2 to 4 weeks after treatment. However, it took up to 16 weeks (4 months) of treatment for most people to experience Dupixent's full effects.

Asthma

Dupixent's onset time for asthma is somewhat similar to its onset time for atopic dermatitis. In clinical studies, people saw some improvements in lung function after just 2 weeks of treatment. But it typically took about 12 to 24 weeks (3 to 6 months) for Dupixent to really start working against asthma symptoms (exacerbations).

Keep in mind that some people had to wait longer than 24 weeks to experience a more significant treatment response. So it's important to be patient when it comes to seeing results.

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps is a condition in which growths in the nose can cause sinus pain, stuffiness, and other related symptoms. Initial studies of Dupixent found that the medication can start addressing these symptoms quickly.

For instance, people saw improvement in nasal congestion within 2 days after starting treatment. And some reported a heightened sense of smell after just 3 days. People also started to see improvements in the size and severity of their nasal polyps within about 4 weeks.

Eosinophilic esophagitis

Eosinophilic esophagitis is an inflammatory condition that affects the ability to swallow. It can also cause symptoms such as choking, vomiting, and heartburn. People in clinical studies started to experience improvements in swallowing about 4 to 8 weeks after starting Dupixent. It took up to 24 weeks of treatment for people to see more complete effects.

Prurigo nodularis

Prurigo nodularis is a skin condition that can result in itchy bumps all over the skin. It took about 4 to 8 weeks for people to start experiencing improvements in itching and skin bump in initial studies of Dupixent. Most people saw more significant improvements within about 24 weeks of treatment.

2. How can you tell if Dupixent is working?

Most likely, you'll be able to tell if Dupixent is working by listening to your body. You should be able to see and feel the changes. For example, if you have atopic dermatitis or prurigo nodularis, your skin may be less itchy. You may also see the bumps on your skin become less noticeable.

If you have eosinophilic esophagitis, you may have an easier time swallowing food. Or if you have chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, you may experience less nasal symptoms.

Some improvements are harder to notice, though. For instance, you may be having fewer asthma exacerbations without realizing it. Your prescriber can run tests, ask questions about your symptoms, and talk to you about how well the medication is working.

3. How long can you receive Dupixent?

Dupixent is a maintenance medication. It's designed to treat and manage your condition over time. As such, you'll likely take it until your healthcare professional tells you to stop. This could be months or years; there's no set time frame.

4. How does Dupixent work?

Dupixent works by calming down your immune system and reducing inflammation.

Dupixent does this by blocking specific immune signals that are responsible for inflammation. These signals are called cytokines, which the cells of your immune system use to communicate with each other. Specifically, Dupixent blocks interleukin-4 and interleukin-13. These two signals play an important role in asthma, atopic dermatitis, and other conditions that Dupixent treats.

5. How and where do you inject Dupixent?

Dupixent is injected under the skin and comes in two forms: a prefilled syringe and a prefilled injection pen. It's typically administered into the thigh or abdomen, especially if a person is injecting themselves. But it can also be injected in the back of the upper arm if someone else is administering the injection.

Here are nine steps for using the Dupixent prefilled syringe:

1. Look at the syringe to ensure it's not expired and doesn't have flakes or particles in it.

2. Place the syringe on a flat, stable surface and let it warm to room temperature for about 30-45 minutes.

3. Clean your preferred injection site with an alcohol swab.

4. Remove the needle cap from the syringe.

5. Pinch a fold of your skin, and insert the needle into this fold at a 45-degree (slanted) angle.

6. Push the plunger down with your thumb until the syringe is empty.

7. Lift your thumb and remove the syringe from the injection site.

8. Press a cotton ball and/or bandage on the injection site if you see any blood.

9. Dispose of your Dupixent syringe in a sharps container.

Here are nine steps for using the Dupixent prefilled pen:

1. Look at your pen to ensure it's not expired and doesn't have flakes or particles in it.

2. Place the pen on a flat, stable surface and let it warm to room temperature over about 30-45 minutes.

3. Clean your preferred injection site with an alcohol swab.

4. Pull the cap straight off the pen.

5. Press the pen against the skin at the injection site. (If administering an injection to a child younger than 12, pinch the skin before injecting.) You'll hear a click when the injection starts and a second click when your injection is complete.

6. Keep pressing the pen against your skin for 5 more seconds after you hear the second click.

7. Remove the pen from your skin by pulling it straight back.

8. Press a cotton ball and/or bandage on the injection site if you see any blood.

9. Dispose of your Dupixent pen in a sharps container.

Good to know: Don't use the same injection site for subsequent Dupixent injections. Rotate your injection site each time to reduce skin irritation.

6. How long can Dupixent be out of the fridge?

Dupixent prefilled syringes and pens should be stored in the fridge (36°F to 46°F). They are safe to use 14 days after you remove them from the fridge - as long as they're stored at room temperature (68°F to 77°F).

If Dupixent is exposed to direct sunlight or heat for prolonged periods of time, the medication likely won't be as effective. It's a good idea to contact your pharmacy for a replacement product if you leave your Dupixent syringe or pen out for too long or accidentally expose it to excessive heat.

7. Is Dupixent safe?

Yes, Dupixent is generally safe. Dupixent is an FDA approved medication, which means its benefits outweigh its risks when used as directed. However, like all medications, Dupixent has some risks.

The most common side effect of Dupixent is injection site reactions that cause localized symptoms such as:

• Redness

• Swelling

• Pain

• Itching

• Inflammation

Dupixent is associated with certain eye-related symptoms, including swelling of the inner eyelid, also known as pink eye (conjunctivitis), and inflammation of the front of the eye (keratitis). However, these eye symptoms aren't very common.

Other side effects, such as upper respiratory infections, are also possible. You can find out more with this comprehensive list of Dupixent side effects.

8. Does Dupixent cause weight gain?

Dupixent was associated with some weight gain in one small study, but this isn't typical. Weight gain wasn't observed in large clinical studies of Dupixent.

Everyone responds differently to medications, though. If you experience weight gain after starting Dupixent, there are ways to address it. The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of activity a week, which can be broken up into five 30-minute exercise sessions. You can also consider keeping a food diary and making adjustments to your portion sizes, if needed.

9. How much does Dupixent cost, and how can you save on Dupixent?

As of January 2024, the list price for Dupixent is about $3,800 per carton. But this likely isn't the amount you'll actually pay.

There are ways to save on Dupixent, which is only available as a reference ("brand-name") medication. (It's also a specialty medication, meaning it needs to be filled through a specialty pharmacy.) GoodRx can help you navigate between copay savings cards and patient assistance programs to save money on your medication:

• Save with a copay savings card: If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $0 for your Dupixent prescriptions using a copay savings card from the manufacturer.

• Save with a patient assistance program: If you're uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Dupixent's patient assistance program, which offers the medication free of charge.

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