Dupixent Injection Details: Possible Side Effects, Application for Eczema, Proper Dosage, and Further Information
Dupixent, a brand-name subcutaneous injection that contains the active ingredient dupilumab, has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of several conditions in children. The drug is designed to help manage moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (eczema), asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), and eosinophilic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in children aged 6 months and older, as well as prurigo nodularis in adults.
The dosage of Dupixent for children varies depending on the condition being treated, age, and body weight. For example, children with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis who weigh 5 kg (11 lb) to less than 15 kg (33 lb) are recommended a dose of 200 mg every 4 weeks, while those who weigh 15 kg to less than 30 kg (66 lb) are recommended a dose of 300 mg every 4 weeks. Children with atopic dermatitis, asthma, or CRSwNP follow the same pattern as adults, with a loading dose followed by maintenance doses.
For children with asthma, the recommended dosage varies based on body weight. Children who weigh 30 kg (66 lb) or more are recommended one 200-mg injection every other week, while those who weigh 15 kg (33 lb) to less than 30 kg (66 lb) are recommended one 300-mg injection every 4 weeks. Children with eosinophilic esophagitis who weigh at least 15 kg (about 33 lb) are typically prescribed a dosage based on their body weight.
Dupixent is also approved for the treatment of eosinophilic COPD in adults when prescribed with another COPD treatment. The recommended dosage for adults is one 300-mg injection every other week. For prurigo nodularis in adults, the first dose is two injections of 300 mg each, followed by one 300-mg injection every other week.
It's important to note that Dupixent is not available in generic or biosimilar form. Serious side effects from Dupixent can include eye problems, eosinophilic conditions, and allergic reactions. Mild side effects may include injection site reactions, throat pain, flare-up of existing oral herpes, dry or itchy eyes, mild conjunctivitis, insomnia, toothache, joint pain, gastritis, eosinophilia, eyelid inflammation, dizziness, diarrhea, muscle pain, and allergic reactions.
Dupixent was first approved by the FDA in 2017 and has since become a valuable tool in managing several conditions in both adults and children. As always, it's essential to consult with a healthcare provider to determine the most suitable treatment plan for each individual case.
[1] National Eczema Association. (2021). Dupixent for Atopic Dermatitis. Retrieved from https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/treatment/dupixent/ [2] Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. (2021). Dupixent for Asthma. Retrieved from https://www.aafa.org/dupixent/ [3] American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. (2021). Dupixent for Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps. Retrieved from https://acaai.org/allergies/treatment/dupixent-for-chronic-rhinosinusitis-with-nasal-polyps [4] American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. (2021). Dupixent for Eosinophilic Esophagitis. Retrieved from https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/allergy-library/eosinophilic-esophagitis [5] National Eczema Association. (2021). Dupixent for Prurigo Nodularis. Retrieved from https://nationaleczema.org/eczema/treatment/prurigo-nodularis/dupixent/ [6] National Jewish Health. (2021). Dupixent for Eosinophilic COPD. Retrieved from https://www.nationaljewish.org/health-topics/respiratory-diseases/eosinophilic-obstructive-lung-diseases/dupixent-for-eosinophilic-copd/
- Dupixent, a treatment for several chronic diseases, has been approved by the FDA for managing moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (eczema) in children as young as 6 months.
- The drug is also used for treating asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), and eosinophilic COPD in children aged 6 months and older, as well as prurigo nodularis in adults.
- For children with asthma, the dosage varies based on body weight, with heavier children receiving a 200-mg injection every other week and lighter children getting a 300-mg injection every 4 weeks.
- Dupixent is also used for treating eosinophilic COPD in adults when combined with another COPD treatment, and the recommended dosage for adults is one 300-mg injection every other week.
- Moreover, Dupixent is not available in generic or biosimilar form and can have serious side effects such as eye problems, eosinophilic conditions, and allergic reactions.
- Mild side effects may include injection site reactions, throat pain, flare-up of existing oral herpes, dry or itchy eyes, mild conjunctivitis, insomnia, toothache, joint pain, gastritis, eosinophilia, eyelid inflammation, dizziness, diarrhea, muscle pain, and allergic reactions.
- Dupixent was originally approved by the FDA in 2017 and has since proven to be a valuable tool in managing various medical-conditions, including chronic-diseases, in both adults and children.
- The National Eczema Association, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, and American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology provide resources for understanding Dupixent and its use in treating atopic dermatitis, asthma, CRSwNP, eosinophilic esophagitis, prurigo nodularis, and eosinophilic COPD.
- It's important to note that, like other health-and-wellness treatments, a healthcare provider should be consulted to determine the most suitable treatment plan for each individual case.
- Science and medical advancements continue to explore the predictive capabilities of Dupixent in potentially addressing other neurological-disorders, autoimmune diseases like Crohn's disease, psoriatic conditions like psoriasis, and skin disorders like alopecia.
- Furthermore, Dupixent's manufacturer, AbbVie, continues to research its potential applications in Type 1 diabetes, migraine, and other conditions to expand its role in the health-and-wellness community and to help those with a wide range of chronic diseases live healthier, more manageable lives.
