Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, is a skin condition that causes the skin to be dry, itchy, and occasionally develop red, scaly rashes. Dupilumab injection is used to treat the symptoms of eczema in adults and children 6 months of age and older who are unable to use other medications for their condition or whose eczema has not responded to other medications. It is also used to treat adults and children older than 6 whose symptoms of certain types of asthma are not controlled by other medications to avoid wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightness. Adults with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (ongoing runny nose, sinus swelling, and/or nasal congestion, along with or without a decreased sense of smell or pain and pressure in the face) whose symptoms are not controlled by other medications can also be treated with dupilumab injection in combination with other medications. It is also used to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older who weigh at least 88 pounds for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), a disorder that involves high numbers of blood cells in the oesophagus (tube that connects the mouth to the stomach), which may harm esophageal tissues (40 kg). Adults with prurigo nodularis, a skin disorder that results in crusty lumps on the skin and excruciating itching, can also be treated with dupilumab injection. The drug dupilumab injection belongs to the monoclonal antibody drug class. It functions by halting the actions of specific bodily chemicals that trigger inflammation.

Both a prefilled syringe and a prefilled pen for subcutaneous injection of dupilumab are available (under the skin). Adults with eczema are typically treated with one injection every two weeks after receiving two injections for the initial dose. When treating eczema in children aged 6 to 17 years, it is typically administered as two injections for the initial dose, then one injection every 2 or 4 weeks depending on the child’s weight; for eczema in children aged 6 months to 5 years, it is typically administered every 4 weeks. Adults and children 12 years of age and older who have asthma are often treated with two injection(s) in the initial dose, then one injection every two weeks. Depending on the child’s weight, it is often administered as one injection every two or four weeks for the treatment of asthma in children aged 6 to 11 years. Adults with chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyposis are typically treated with one injection every two weeks. It is typically administered as one injection once a week for the treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis in adults and children 12 years of age and older. It is often administered as two injections for the initial dose, then one injection every two weeks, to treat prurigo nodularis. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Administer the dupilumab injection as prescribed. Never inject more, less, or more frequently than your doctor has instructed.

If you have asthma and are taking dupilumab, keep taking or use all other asthma drugs that your doctor has given. If your doctor has not instructed you to, do not stop taking any of your drugs or modify their dosages. Although a duplilumab injection aids in preventing asthma episodes, it cannot halt an attack that has already begun. In the event of an asthma attack, avoid using dupilumab injection. In order to utilise an inhaler during asthma episodes, your doctor will prescribe one.

Your doctor’s office may be where you get your first injection of dupilumab. Your doctor might then give the go-ahead for you or a carer to administer the shots at home. Read the manufacturer’s information for the patient included with the drug before administering dupilumab injection for the first time to yourself. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to demonstrate how to inject the drug for you or the recipient of the medication.

Just use one syringe and one pen at a time. Put used pens and syringes in a container that won’t puncture. How to get rid of the puncture-resistant container should be discussed with your doctor or pharmacist.

When using a prefilled syringe or prefilled pen that has been chilled, set the syringe on a flat surface without removing the needle cap and let it warm to room temperature before using it to administer the medication (30 minutes for a 100 mg or 200 mg prefilled syringe and 45 minutes for a 300 mg prefilled syringe or prefilled pen). Never attempt to reheat the drug by putting it in a hot water bath, microwave, or any other device.

Don’t shake a pen or syringe containing dupilumab.

Before injecting dupilumab, always check the solution. Verify if the liquid is clear, colourless, or just a little bit yellow, and that the expiration date has not passed. There shouldn’t be any observable particles in the liquid. If a syringe or pen is cracked, damaged, expired, frozen, or if the liquid is hazy or includes particles, do not use it.

Your navel and the region 2 inches (5 cm) around it are the only places on the front of your legs (upper leg) or stomach (abdomen) where you should not inject dupilumab. The back of the upper arm may also be utilised if a carer administers the drug by injection. Choose a different place for each injection to lessen the possibility of discomfort or redness. Never administer an injection to skin that is irritated, bruised, red, or firm, or that has scars or stretch marks.

For a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient, ask your pharmacist or doctor.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before using dupilumab injection,

• If you have an allergy to dupilumab, any other drugs, or any of the ingredients in dupilumab injection, let your doctor and pharmacist know right away. Get a list of the components from your pharmacist.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about any additional prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are now taking or intend to use. Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
• Inform your doctor if you have or have ever had eye issues, herpes zoster (shingles), genital herpes (a herpes virus infection that occasionally causes sores to form around the genitals and rectum), or any other herpes virus infections. Additionally, let them know if you have hookworm, roundworm, whipworm, or threadworm infections (infection with worms that live inside the body). if you are being treated with dupilumab for atopic dermatitis. Inform your doctor if you also have asthma if you have chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis, eosinophilic esophagitis, or prurigo nodularis.
• If you are breastfeeding a child or intend to become pregnant, let your doctor know. Call your doctor right away if you find yourself pregnant while receiving dupilumab injection.
• To find out if you require any immunisations, consult your doctor. Avoid getting any shots while you are receiving therapy without first consulting your doctor.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

If you forget to take a dose that is administered every two or four weeks, you should immediately inject it and then go back to your regular schedule. Skip the missing dose and carry on with your regular dosing plan if it has been more than 7 days after your missed dose. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

If you forget to take a once-weekly dose, immediately inject the missed dose, then restart your treatment with a new weekly schedule starting the day after the last dose was provided.

If you forget to take a dose and have concerns, call your doctor.

Side effects from dupilumab injection are possible. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Bruising or discomfort at the injection location
• Runny nose, a cough, fever, or any infection-related symptom
• Lip or mouth sores
• Toothache
• Having trouble falling or staying asleep
• Facial rash or redness
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Muscular ache

Certain adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if you encounter any of these symptoms, or seek emergency care:

• Eye pain, blurred vision, pink or red eye(s), red or swollen eyelids, or changes in vision that are either new or worsening
• Rash, chest pain, loss of breath, fever, pins and needles sensation, or numbness in the arms or legs
• New or worsening joint pain

Stop using dupilumab injection and seek emergency medical attention if you suffer any of the following symptoms:

• Enlargement of the tongue, throat, eyelids, or face
• An enlarged lymph node
• Breathing or swallowing challenges
• Chest or throat constriction
• Quick heartbeat
• Rash
• Hives
• Itching
• Fainting, feeling lightheaded, or dizzy
• Dizziness or vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Lumps of skin that are solid, flat, heated, and unpleasant.
• Fever

Further adverse effects after dupilumab injection are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this drug, call your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly wrapped in its original container away from the reach of children. For up to 14 days, keep dupilumab injectable at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Avoid freezing. To protect them from light, keep the syringes and pens in their original cartons.

Although many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medications website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Moreover, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Keep all of your doctor’s appointments.

Do not share your medication with anybody else. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.