Dupilumab
Generic name: dupilumab
Brand name: Dupixent
Dosage form: subcutaneous injection
Drug class:Interleukin inhibitors
What is dupilumab?
Dupilumab (Dupixent) is a biological medication called a monoclonal antibody that is used to treat atopic diseases.
Dupilumab helps treat atopic diseases by stopping the inflammation linked to these diseases.
Dupilumab works by binding to a protein in your body called interleukin-4 receptor alpha (IL-4Rɑ), which makes it an IL-4Rɑ antagonoist. This blocks the action of two proteins called interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13), which are involved in signaling the body to release substances that cause inflammation. It helps to stop inflammation before it even begins.
Dupilumab was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2017. The FDA has not approved any biosimilars of dupilumab which are drugs that have the same effect on a person, but which are only highly similar and not identical.
What is dupilumab used for?
Dupilumab is a prescription medicine used:
- to treat adults and children 6 months of age and older with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (eczema) that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin (topical), or who cannot use topical therapies. Dupilumab can be used with or without topical corticosteroids.
- with other asthma medicines for the maintenance treatment of moderate-to-severe asthma in adults and children 6 years of age and older whose asthma is not controlled with their current asthma medicines. Dupilumab helps prevent severe asthma attacks (exacerbations) and can improve your breathing. Dupilumab may also help reduce the amount of oral corticosteroids you need while preventing severe asthma attacks and improving your breathing. Dupilumab is not used to treat sudden breathing problems.
- with other medicines for the maintenance treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) in adults whose disease is not controlled.
- to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older, who weigh at least 88 pounds (40 kg), with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE).
It is not known if dupilumab is safe and effective in children with:
- atopic dermatitis under 6 months of age.
- asthma under 6 years of age.
- chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis under 18 years of age
- eosinophilic esophagitis under 12 years of age and who weigh at least 88 pounds (40 kg).
Who should not use dupilumab?
Do not use dupilumab if you are allergic to dupilumab or to any of the ingredients in dupilumab. See below for a complete list of ingredients in dupilumab.
What should I tell my doctor before using dupilumab?
Before using dupilumab,...
