Dupixent FAQ’s for Patients

Common
Questions

Always read the full Patient Information Guide and Instructions for Use accompanying your medication, and contact your healthcare professional if you have any questions.

About Dupixent

Dupixent is used with other asthma medicines for the maintenance treatment of severe asthma in adults and adolescents (aged 12 and older) whose asthma is not controlled with their current asthma medicines. This medicine contains the active substance dupilumab.

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Dupixent is a monoclonal antibody (a type of specialised protein) that blocks the action of two proteins called Interleukin 4 (IL-4) and Interleukin 13 (IL-13). IL-4 and IL-13 can trigger signals that lead to lung inflammation, causing the symptoms of asthma. Dupixent helps prevent severe asthma attacks (exacerbation) and can improve your breathing.

Dupixent is not a rescue medicine and should not be used to treat a sudden asthma attack. Remember to not change or stop other asthma medicines without talking to your healthcare professional.

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Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date that is stated on the label and carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Store in a refrigerator (2°C to 8°C). Pre-filled syringes or pens may be kept at room temperature for a maximum of 14 days. Do not store above 25°C. Do not freeze. Store in the original carton to protect from light. Do not use this medicine if you notice that the medicine is cloudy, discoloured, or has particles in it.

Precautions
Do not use Dupixent if you are or think you are allergic to dupilumab or any of the other ingredients of this medicine. If you think you may be allergic, or you are not sure, ask your healthcare professional for advice before using this medicine.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you’re pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby, ask your healthcare professional for advice before using this medicine. The effects of this medicine in pregnant women are not known; therefore, it is preferable to avoid the use of Dupixent in pregnancy unless your healthcare professional advises to use it. If you are planning to breast-feed, you and your healthcare professional should decide if you will breast-feed or use this medicine. You should not do both.

Allergic reactions
Very rarely, Dupixent can cause serious side effects, including allergic (hypersensitivity) reactions. You must look out for signs of these conditions (such as fever, general ill feeling, swollen lymph nodes, hives, itching, joint pain, and skin rash) while you are taking this medicine. Stop using this medicine and tell your healthcare professional or get medical help immediately if you notice any signs of an allergic reaction. These reactions can occur from minutes until seven days after Dupixent administration.

Eosinophilic conditions
Rarely patients taking an asthma medicine may develop inflammation of blood vessels or lungs due to an increase of certain white blood cells (eosinophilia). Tell your doctor immediately if you develop a combination of symptoms such as flu-like illness, pins and needles or numbness of the arms or legs, worsening of pulmonary symptoms, and/or rash.

Parasitic (intestinal parasites) infection
Dupixent may weaken your resistance to infections caused by parasites. If you already have a parasitic infection, it should be treated before you start treatment with this medicine. Check with your healthcare professional if you have diarrhoea, gas, upset stomach, greasy stools, and dehydration which could be a sign of a parasitic infection. If you live in a region where these infections are common or if you are traveling to such a region, check with your healthcare professional.

Eye problems
Talk to your healthcare professional if you have any new or worsening eye problems, including eye pain or changes in vision.

Vaccinations
Talk to your healthcare professional if you have recently had or are due to have a vaccination.

Please refer to the Patient Information Leaflet in the pack for full safety information.

GET MORE SAFETY INFORMATION

Dupixent can cause serious side effects, including very rare allergic reactions. The signs of allergic reaction may include, breathing problems, swelling of the face, lips, mouth or tongue, fainting, dizziness, feeling lightheaded, fever, feeling unwell, swollen lymph nodes, hives, itching, joint pain or skin rash.

Very Common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):
  • Injection site reactions (ie, redness, swelling, and itching)
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
  • Headache
  • Eye dryness, redness, and itching
  • Eyelid itching, redness, and swelling
  • Eye infection
  • Cold sores (on lips and skin)
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
  • Inflammation of the eye surface, sometimes with blurred vision (keratitis, ulcerative keratitis).

Reporting of side effects

Dupixent is subject to additional monitoring. This will allow quick identification of new safety information. If you get any side effects, talk to your healthcare professional. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the package leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

GET MORE SAFETY INFORMATION

Dosing

Dupixent is given by injection under your skin. You and your healthcare professional should decide if you should inject this medicine yourself. Always use this medicine exactly as your healthcare professional has told you.

Inject this medicine yourself only after you have been trained by your healthcare professional. A caregiver may also give you an injection after proper training.

You can inject into your thigh or belly (stomach), except for the 5 cm around your navel. If somebody else gives you the injection, they can also use your upper arm. Change the injection site for each injection. Do not inject into skin that is tender, damaged, or has bruises or scars. Ensure you have the following: Dupixent pre-filled syringe or pen, 1 alcohol wipe, 1 cotton ball or gauze, and a puncture-resistant container. Please follow all instructions outlined in the Instructions for Use, and ask your healthcare professional if you have any questions.

VIEW INSTRUCTIONS

Your healthcare professional will decide how much Dupixent you need and for how long. The recommended dose of Dupixent for adults and adolescents (12 years of age and older) is:

  • An initial dose of 400 mg (two 200 mg injections), followed by 200 mg every other week administered as subcutaneous injection.
  • For patients with severe asthma and who are on oral corticosteroids or for patients with severe asthma and comorbid moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis or adults with co-morbid severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis, the recommended dose is an initial dose of 600 mg (two 300 mg injections), followed by 300 mg every other week administered as subcutaneous injection.

Do not stop using Dupixent without speaking to your healthcare professional first.

If you use more Dupixent than you should, or forget to use Dupixent, please contact your healthcare professional immediately.

If a dose is missed, if you use more of this medicine than you should, or the dose has been given too early, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse.

Dupixent is subject to additional monitoring. This will allow quick identification of new safety information. If you get any side effects, talk to your healthcare professional. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the package leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

Your healthcare professional will decide how much Dupixent you need and for how long. Do not stop using Dupixent without speaking to your healthcare professional first.

Because of the chronic (recurring) nature of the disease, the inflammation causing the symptoms of asthma may still be present even if you do not have asthma exacerbation. So you should continue to take Dupixent as prescribed, even if your breathing improves, to continue the clinical benefits of the medicine.

How to Travel with Dupixent

It is important to keep your treatment in mind when you are planning your trip so that you continue to take Dupixent exactly as directed by your healthcare professional. Please contact your healthcare professional before you travel.

  • Make sure you have enough of this medicine to last your entire trip. Take an extra prescription for Dupixent in case you lose your medication or it becomes damaged.
  • Make sure your injection schedule is marked on your calendar or programmed into your smartphone prior to your trip so you can take your medicine on time.
  • Pack an adequate supply of alcohol wipes, cotton gauze, and a puncture-resistant container.
  • Because this medicine requires storage in a refrigerator (2–8°C), ensure you have access to refrigeration during your travels.
  • Use an insulated storage pack with cold packs to keep this medicine between 2–8°C prior to putting it in a refrigerator on an aeroplane (for example, getting to the airport, waiting to board the flight).
  • Consider bringing a thermometer so you can verify the temperature is kept at 2–8°C.
  • Dupixent must not be frozen. Store this medicine away from the freezer section and avoid contact with ice.
  • Keep in mind that this medicine can be stored at room temperature (25°C) for a single maximum period of 14 days. If you do not use it within 14 days, you must discard it.
  • If you're planning on travelling, please speak to your healthcare professional or homecare company for additional advice.

Sciensus
Contact: generalenquiries@sciensus.com
Number: 0333 103 9499
8am-8pm Mon-Fri and 8am-4.30pm Sat and Sun

Lloyds Pharmacy Clinical Homecare
Contact: lpch.ccc@nhs.net
Number: 0247 662 5573
Between Monday - Friday 8am to 5:30pm

  • Let your airline know you will need to keep your medication refrigerated before, during, and after your flights. You will also need to arrange insulated cold pack storage as needed.
  • Pack your medicine in your carry-on baggage to avoid possible loss in the event your checked baggage gets lost or damaged.
  • Liquid prescription medications are exempt from the onboard liquid restrictions in some countries, but you will still need to declare them during security screening.
  • Keep this medicine in its original packaging with its pharmacy label and your name. This can help airport security verify the product as your prescription medication and its requirement for refrigerated storage. It will also protect it from light.
  • Alcohol wipes may be easier to transport than rubbing alcohol, since you will need to declare rubbing alcohol at airport security.
  • Consider calling your airport well in advance of your trip, if you have questions about local regulations.

Health information contained herein is provided for general educational purposes only. Your healthcare professional is the single best source of information regarding your health. Please consult your healthcare professional if you have any questions about your health or treatment.