Key takeaways

  • Dupixent is a prescription medication used to manage several inflammatory conditions, including eczema, asthma, COPD, and others.
  • It works by blocking specific signaling proteins in your immune system — specifically, interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) — to reduce inflammation.
  • Dupixent is given as an injection under your skin, typically every 1 to 4 weeks.
  • More common side effects include injection site reactions, sore throat, and eye problems such as conjunctivitis (pink eye).
  • Safety warning: You should not receive live vaccines during treatment with Dupixent.

Dupixent (“doo-PICKS-ent”) is a brand-name prescription medication used to manage several types of inflammatory conditions.

The active ingredient in Dupixent is called dupilumab, which belongs to a class of biologic medications called monoclonal antibodies. No biosimilar versions of Dupixent are available at this time.

Dupixent is manufactured by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.

Key terms

  • Biologic medications (“biologics”) are complex drugs made from natural, living sources. Biologics can be composed of proteins, sugars, nucleic acids (DNA or RNA), or a combination of these substances. They also may contain living entities, such as cells and tissues.
  • Human monoclonal antibodies are lab-made proteins that act like natural antibodies in the immune system to fight diseases, such as cancer, autoimmune disorders, and infections.

Specifically, Dupixent is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use to manage the following inflammatory conditions in certain situations:

Dupixent reduces inflammation associated with these conditions by blocking specific inflammation signals in your immune system called interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13).

For more details about how Dupixent works to manage your specific condition, talk with your doctor.

Dupixent comes as a liquid solution in prefilled syringes or prefilled pens. Dupixent is given as an injection under your skin. The dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors, including:

  • the type and severity of the condition you’re prescribed Dupixent to treat
  • your age
  • your weight
  • other medical conditions you may have

Be sure to use only the Dupixent dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They will determine the best dosage to fit your needs for optimal effectiveness and safety.

Side effects of Dupixent may vary depending on the condition the drug is being used to manage and other factors, such as:

  • your age
  • other health conditions you have
  • other medications you may be taking

The most common side effects of Dupixent reported in clinical studies of the drug for its FDA-approved uses included:

Note: This list does not include all of the more common side effects of Dupixent.

Here is important information you should consider before starting Dupixent treatment.

Interactions

Taking medications, vaccines, foods, and other things with a certain drug can affect how the drug works. These effects are called interactions.

Dupixent is not known to interact with other medications, herbs, supplements, foods, or alcohol. The manufacturer did not list any interactions in the drug’s prescribing information. However, certain interactions may still be possible even if they have not been reported with Dupixent.

Before starting Dupixent treatment, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also, tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you take. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

Dupixent and alcohol

Alcohol is not known to interact with Dupixent.

It’s likely safe to consume alcohol while receiving Dupixent injections. If you have questions about drinking alcohol during treatment with Dupixent, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can tell you how much alcohol, if any, is safe to drink during Dupixent treatment.

Dupixent and vaccines

You should not receive live vaccines during your Dupixent treatment. This is because live vaccines contain weakened versions of the bacteria or virus that they’re meant to protect against.

Getting a live vaccine during treatment with Dupixent can increase your risk of infection. Examples of live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), rotavirus, and chickenpox.

If you need to receive a vaccine, talk with your doctor first to make sure it’s safe.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you can become pregnant or are breastfeeding, it’s important to consider whether Dupixent is a safe choice for you. It’s unclear whether Dupixent is safe for use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

For more information, you can refer to this article on Dupixent and reproductive health. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor.

Warnings

Dupixent can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. These are known as drug-condition interactions. Other factors may also affect whether Dupixent is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before you inject Dupixent. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:

  • history of joint pain
  • history of eye problems, such as pink eye or keratitis
  • risk factors for psoriasis, such as a family history of the condition, certain injuries, or smoking
  • risk factors for psoriatic arthritis, such as having psoriasis, a family history of the condition, or smoking
  • taking or stopping a steroid medication
  • active parasitic infection
  • previous allergic reaction to Dupixent or a similar drug
  • pregnancy or breastfeeding

Find a medical specialist in your area today

Your healthcare team may comprise several people who can provide support.

Sometimes, a medical specialist will be required to help diagnose, manage, or treat a healthcare condition.

You can find the following medical specialists in your area today:

Do not inject more Dupixent than your doctor prescribes. Doing so may lead to harmful effects.

What to do in case you use too much Dupixent

Call your doctor if you think you’ve used too much Dupixent. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers, or use its online resource. However, if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.

Dupixent is a monoclonal antibody drug, which works on very specific targets within your immune system. It‘s not considered an immunosuppressant, which is a type of drug that suppresses the immune system more generally. Corticosteroids are an example of a group of drugs that are immunosuppressants.

Dupixent works by blocking specific signaling proteins in your immune system — specifically, interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) — to reduce harmful inflammation associated with the conditions Dupixent is used to treat, such as atopic dermatitis (eczema), asthma, and COPD.

Keep in mind that your immune system relies on inflammation signals to respond to certain vaccines. For information about receiving vaccines during Dupixent treatment, see “Dupixent and vaccines” later in this article.

For more details about how Dupixent affects your immune system, talk with your doctor.

No. Dupixent is a monoclonal antibody drug, which works on specific targets within your immune system. It‘s not considered an immunosuppressant, which is a type of drug that suppresses the immune system more generally. Corticosteroids are an example of a group of drugs that are immunosuppressants.

Dupixent’s mechanism of action (how it works) is to block certain proteins from binding to their receptors in your immune system. These proteins are called interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13).

Usually, when IL-4 and IL-13 bind to their receptors, your immune system releases proteins called cytokines. This release of cytokines leads to inflammation like that associated with the conditions Dupixent is approved to treat.

It’s unclear whether Dupixent causes weight gain or hair loss. These were not reported as side effects in studies of the drug.

Some research on dupilumab, the active ingredient in Dupixent, suggests the drug may be associated with hair loss. A small study on dupilumab for atopic dermatitis found that some people experienced weight gain during treatment with the drug. But more research is needed to determine whether Dupixent causes weight gain or hair loss.

Keep in mind that other drugs may be used together with Dupixent. These drugs, such as corticosteroids, often cause multiple side effects.

If you have concerns about any side effects from Dupixent, talk with your doctor.

Costs of prescription drugs can vary depending on many factors. These factors include what your insurance plan covers and which pharmacy you use.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also visit the Dupixent manufacturer’s website to see support options, such as the Dupixent MyWay Copay Card.

Learn more about Dupixent and cost.

Dupixent (dupilumab) is a prescription biologic injection used to treat chronic inflammatory conditions, including moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (eczema), asthma, COPD, and nasal polyps. It works by blocking IL-4 and IL-13 proteins to reduce immune system inflammation. While effective for long-term symptom management, Dupixent may cause side effects, such as injection site reactions, cold sores, or eye-related issues like conjunctivitis. Dosage varies by age, weight, and the specific condition being treated, but it is typically administered every two to four weeks. Talk with your doctor to understand the benefits, potential risks, and insurance coverage options for your specific treatment plan.

Disclaimer: While Healthline strives for factual, comprehensive, and current consumer drug information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses. Learn more about our approach to content integrity.

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