Dupixent: What is it for, how to use, dosage and side effects

Dupixent is a drug indicated for the treatment of conditions such as atopic dermatitis, severe asthma, eosinophilic esophagitis and nodular prurigo.

The active ingredient of Dupixent is dupilumab, an antibody that inhibits the signaling of interleucine proteins and interleukin-13, reducing inflammation and symptoms of diseases.

Also read: Inflammation: what it is, symptoms, causes and treatment

tuasaude.com/inflamacao

Dupixent is marketed in the form of filled pens or syringes, with doses of 200 and 300 mg. This medicine is sold in pharmacies and drugstores, with the presentation of a prescription.

What the dupixent is for

Dupixent is a remedy indicated to treat conditions such as:

• Moderate to severe atopic dermatitisnot controlled with topical treatment or when it is not indicated;
• Complement the treatment of severe asthmawith non -controlled type 2 inflammation;
• Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polypwith other medications, when the disease is not controlled with current medicines;
• Nodular prurigowith or without topical corticosteroids, when the disease is not controlled with topical treatments or when they are not indicated;
• Eosinophilic esophagitisin people from 1 year with body weight equal to or greater than 15 kg;
• Spontaneous chronic urticariain people from 12 years old, whose disease is not controlled with H1 antihistamines;
• Non -controlled COPD in adultsassociated with type 2 inflammation, along with long -acting antimuscarinic; β2-long action; and inhaled corticosteroids (except if not indicated).

The active ingredient of Dupixent is dupilumab, a human monoclonal antibody that inhibits interleucine-4 and interleukine-13, proteins that, when very high, cause inflammation and symptoms such as skin irritation and itching.

Thus, Dupixent helps to decrease inflammation and symptoms of disease.

Also read: Monoclonal antibodies: what they are, types and what they serve

tuasaude.com/anticorpos-monoclonais

How to use

The dupixent should be managing subcutaneous, ie under the skin, thigh or abdomen (except 5 cm around the navel).

If someone else applies the injection, one can also administer at the top of the arm.

The step by step to apply the dupixent is:

1. Remove the syringe from the packaging holding it through the middle of the body;
2. Make sure the liquid is a light to lightly pearly, colorless yellowish solution;
3. Keep the syringe on a flat surface and naturally reach room temperature for at least 45 minutes;
4. Wash your hands and clean the place of cotton injection soaked in alcohol, letting the skin dry;
5. Hold the middle of the body of the syringe, with the needle pointed in the opposite direction and remove the lid from the needle;
6. The medicine should be injected immediately after removing the needle cap;
7. Squeeze the skin, forming a fold at the injection site and completely introduce the needle into the skin fold at an angle of about 45º;
8. Release the skin fold, push the body of the pacolo slowly until it empties the syringe;
9. Raise the thumb so that the needle is withdrawn to the safety system and then remove the syringe from the injection site;
10. Press lightly in place with a piece of cotton or gauze if there is blood;
11. Discard the syringe and needle cover in a suitable container for collecting shard materials.

In cases of initial dose of 400 or 600 mg, the two 300 mg injections should be administered in different parts of the body. It is also recommended that the application site be rotating for each injection.

Dupixent should not be applied to sensitive, injured areas with bruises or scars.

This injection should be used only after a nurse or other health professional show what preparation and application is like. In children, it is recommended that the application always be done by a caregiver.

Dupixent should be stored under refrigeration between 2ºC and 8ºC, protected from light without freezing or exposing to heat.

What to do in case of oblivion

The recommendations for the oblivion cases are:

• In cases of forgetting a weekly dose, you should manage the dose as soon as possible, starting a new scheme based on that date;
• If one dose every two weeks is forgotten, the injection should be applied within 7 days from the forgotten dose and then resume the original scheme;
• If the forgotten dose is not administered within 7 days, one should wait until the next dose of the original scheme;
• If one dose every 3 weeks or every 4 weeks is forgotten, it is recommended to apply the injection within 7 days from the forgotten dose and then resume the original scheme.

If the forgotten dose is not administered in 7 days, you should administer the dose, starting a new scheme based on this date.

Dupixent Posology

Dupixent’s dosage, which varies according to the condition to be treated, includes:

1. Atopic dermatitis

In cases of atopic dermatitis, the recommendation for Dupixent adults is a starting dose of 600 mg (two 300 mg injections), followed by 300 mg, once every 14 days.

In the case of children, the dosage varies according to age and body weight, as follows:

Dupixent may or may not be used associated with topical treatments, as recommended by the doctor.

2. Asma

The initial dose for severe asthma in children over 12 years and adults using oral corticosteroids or moderate to severe to severe atopic dermatitis or severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyp is: 600 mg (two 300 mg injections), followed by 300 mg every two weeks.

For all other people, the starting dose of 400 mg (two 200 mg injections) is recommended, followed by a 200 mg dose every 14 days.

For children aged 6 to 11, the doses vary according to body weight. Thus, the 300 mg dose is indicated every 4 weeks for children with a weight of 15 to less than 30 kg, and 200 mg, every 2 weeks, for children over 30 kg.

3. Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyp

The recommended dose of Dupixent for adults and adolescents from 12 years of age is an initial dose of 300 mg followed by 300 mg administered every two weeks.

4. Nodular prurigo

The recommended dupixent dose for nodular prourgeous adults is a starting dose of 600 mg (two 300 mg injections), followed by 300 mg administered every 14 days.

5. Eosinophilic esophagitis

Dupixentindicated dosage for adults and children from 1 year, varies according to body weight.

Thus, people with 15 up to less than 30 kg should use 200 mg every 2 weeks. People with 30 up to less than 40 kg should administer 300 mg every 2 weeks.

The dosage indicated for people with 40 kg or more is 300 mg each week.

6. Spontaneous Chronic Urticaria

In adults, Dupixent’s recommended dose is an initial dose of 600 mg (two 300 mg injections), followed by 300 mg administered every two weeks.

For children aged 12 to 17, the dosage varies according to weight. Thus, children with 30 kg less than 60 kg should administer 400 mg (2 200 mg injections), followed by 200 mg every 2 weeks.

Already children 60 kg or more, should apply an initial dose of 600 mg (2 injections of 300 mg), followed by 300 mg every 2 weeks.

7. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Dupixent’s recommended dose for adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is one dose of 300 mg every two weeks.

Also read: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): what is, symptoms and treatment

tuasaude.com/doenca-pulmonar-obstrutiva-cronica-dpoc

Possible side effects

Possible side effects with the use of dupixent are dermatitis, redness, swelling, itching and/or burning, and pain in the place of injection, as well as conjunctivitis, keratitis, joint pain, oral herpes and increased white blood cells.

Dupixent can also cause serious side effects such as allergic reactions and anaphylactic reaction, angioedema and whey disease reactions. In these cases, you should stop using this medicine, seek immediate medical attention and talk to the doctor.

Also read: 8 symptoms of allergic reaction and what to do

tuasaude.com/sintomas-da-reacao-alegica

Who cannot use

Dupixent should not be used by people with dupilumab allergy or any other component of the medicine.

This medicine should not be used to treat asthma or COPD crises.

In addition, pregnant or breastfeeding women can only use this medicine under the indication and guidance of the doctor.

People who are using or have recently used other medications, or have recently vaccinated or will be, should always talk to the doctor before using Dupixent.