Skip to main content

Dupixent Pre-filled Pen

Generic name: dupilumabdoo-PIL-ue-mab ]
Brand names: Dupixent, Dupixent Pre-filled Pen, Dupixent Pre-filled Syringe
Drug class: Interleukin inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Dec 27, 2022. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is Dupixent Pre-filled Pen?

Dupixent Pre-filled Pen is used in adults and children 6 months and older to treat moderate-to-severe eczema (atopic dermatitis) that cannot be controlled with topical medicines applied to the skin.

Dupixent Pre-filled Pen is also used in adults and children 6 years and older together with other medications to treat moderate-to-severe asthma that is not controlled with other asthma medicines.

Dupixent Pre-filled Pen is used only in adults to treat a condition called chronic rhinosinusitis (long-term sinus inflammation) that is associated with nasal polyps.

Dupixent Pre-filled Pen is used to treat eosinophilic esophagitis in adults and children 12 years and older, weighing at least 88 pounds (40 kilograms).

Dupixent Pre-filled Pen is also used to treat prurigo nodularis in adults.

Dupixent Pre-filled Pen may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

Use only as directed. Tell your doctor if you use other medicines or have other medical conditions or allergies.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Dupixent Pre-filled Pen if you are allergic to it.

Dupixent Pre-filled Pen should not be given to a child younger than 6 years old to treat asthma, younger than 6 months old to treat eczema, or younger than 12 years old and weighing at least 88 pounds (40 kilograms) to treat eosinophilic esophagitis.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • eye problems;

  • a parasite infection (such as roundworms or tapeworms); or

  • if you are scheduled to receive any vaccine.

If you use Dupixent Pre-filled Pen 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.

How should I use Dupixent Pre-filled Pen?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Dupixent Pre-filled Pen is not a rescue medicine for asthma attacks. Use only fast-acting inhalation medicine for an attack. Seek medical attention if your breathing problems get worse quickly, or if you think your asthma medications are not working as well.

Dupixent Pre-filled Pen is injected under the skin, usually once every 2 to 4 weeks. Your first dose may be given in 2 injections.

A healthcare provider may teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself. Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don't understand all instructions.

Do not shake the prefilled syringe or injection pen. Prepare your injection only when you are ready to give it. Do not use if the medicine looks cloudy, has changed colors, or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

Store Dupixent Pre-filled Pen in the original carton in the refrigerator. Protect from light and do not freeze.

Take a syringe or pen out of the refrigerator and let it reach room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes before injecting your dose. Leave the needle cap on until you are ready to inject your dose.

You may store a prefilled syringe or injection pen at cool room temperature for up to 14 days. Throw the medicine away if not used within 14 days. Do not put it back into the refrigerator.

Each prefilled syringe or injection pen is for one use only. Throw it away after one use, even if there is still medicine left inside.

The pre-filled pen is for use in adults and children 12 years and older. The pre-filled syringe is for use in adults and children 6 months and older.

Use a needle and syringe or pen only once and then place them in a puncture-proof "sharps" container. Follow state or local laws about how to dispose of this container. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.

If you also use other medications to treat eczema or asthma, do not change your doses or stop using the other medications without your doctor's advice.

What happens if I miss a dose?

If you miss your injection by 7 days or less, use the missed dose as soon as you remember and then go back to your regular injection schedule.

If you are more than 7 days late for the injection:

  • For the every-other-week injection schedule: Skip the missed dose and use the medicine at your next scheduled injection time.

  • For the every-4-weeks schedule: Start a new dosing schedule on the day you use the missed injection and use your next injection 4 weeks later.

Do not use two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while using Dupixent Pre-filled Pen?

Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using Dupixent Pre-filled Pen. The vaccine may not work as well during this time, and may not fully protect you from disease. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and nasal flu (influenza) vaccine.

Dupixent Pre-filled Pen side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, rash, itching; fever, swollen glands, joint pain; feeling light-headed, difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Dupixent Pre-filled Pen may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • new or worsening eye pain or discomfort;

  • vision changes;

  • watery eyes (your eyes may be more sensitive to light);

  • fast pulse;

  • stomach cramps;

  • feeling like something is in your eye; or

  • blood vessel inflammation--fever, chest pain, trouble breathing, skin rash, numbness or prickly feeling in your arms or legs.

Common side effects of Dupixent Pre-filled Pen may include:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Dupixent Pre-filled Pen?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

  • an oral, inhaled, or topical steroid medicine; or

  • any medicine to treat asthma.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect Dupixent Pre-filled Pen, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Popular FAQ

Dupixent is associated with several different eye problems, including conjunctivitis, blepharitis, dry eyes, itchy eyes, and keratitis. The cause of the eye problems is thought to be due to Dupixent blocking interleukin-13 (IL-13), an inflammatory protein that also stimulates the production of goblet cells. Goblet cells are responsible for creating mucus in the eye and ensuring the stability of tears. So when Dupixent blocks IL-13 it also lowers the numbers of epithelial goblet cells leading to eye inflammation and eye problems. Continue reading

No, Dupixent (dupilumab) is not an immunosuppressant or a steroid. Dupixent works by targeting a type of protein called an interleukin, that is involved in inflammation. Dupixent calms an overreactive immune system but does not suppress the immune system. This leads to fewer and less severe episodes of inflammation when used to treat conditions such as atopic dermatitis or asthma. Continue reading

Yes, it does appear that Dupixent can cause weight gain, although this is not listed as a side effect in the product information. A case series of 12 people prescribed Dupixent reported an average weight gain of 6.1kg over one year – the amount of weight gained ranged from 0.1kg to 18.0kg. Anecdotally, blog sites also report weight gain as a side effect. How Dupixent causes weight gain is not known; however, people should be informed that weight gain may be a possible side effect of Dupixent. Continue reading

Dupixent is not a cure for eczema; however, it does effectively reduce symptoms in the majority of people prescribed it. Dupixent significantly reduces itching, skin appearance, the frequency of AD flares, sleep, and quality of life in most people. However, there does appear to be a subset of people who only partially respond to Dupixent (partial responders), or who respond initially, and then their symptoms return (non-durable responders). Continue reading

Yes, it does appear that Dupixent can cause joint pain although this is not listed in the product information as a side effect. However, several reports of painful joints, tendinitis, and arthritic-like pain associated with Dupixent use have appeared recently in the literature including a 55-year-old woman with multiple joint and thumb pain, a 38-year-old with severe pain and stiffness in one ankle that progressed to her knees, hips and elbows within days of her first dose, and a 40-year-old with generalized joint pain and morning stiffness. Continue reading

Dupixent has not been reported to have a drug interaction with alcohol. A few case reports of flushing (facial redness) have been reported by people who used Dupixent and drank alcohol, but it is not known if this was caused by the medicine. If you choose to drink, it is always best to drink in moderation and check with your healthcare provider if you take any medication.  Continue reading

Dupixent can stay out of the fridge for a maximum of 14 days at room temperature (up to 77°F [25°C]). If you do not use it within 14 days, then it must be thrown away. Do not expose Dupixent to temperatures above 77°F and do not put it back in the refrigerator if it has been inadvertently left out and allowed to warm up to room temperature. Continue reading

View more FAQ

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.