Dupixent (Dupilumab): Proficient injection that treats Eczema

Atopic dermatitis or eczema is a condition in which the skin becomes red and itchy. The term atopic refers to a number of conditions involving the immune system, including asthma and hay fever. Dermatitis means inflammation of the skin. Eczema can occur at any age but is common in children. Atopic dermatitis is chronic and usually occurs frequently. In some types of eczema, blisters can also occur. There is no cure for atopic dermatitis but treatments provide prevention of flaring up of eczema symptoms. 

Types of Eczema:

These 5 common types of eczema are as follows:

1. Atopic Dermatitis 
2. Contact Dermatitis 
3. Dyshidrotic Dermatitis 
4. Nummular Dermatitis 
5. Stasis Dermatitis 

Causes of Eczema:

Some common causes of eczema are:

• Allergens
• Microbes 
• Food and Dairy products
• Hormones
• Temperature(hot & cold)
• Stress (not cause but it worsens the symptoms of eczema)

Symptoms of Eczema:

Signs and symptoms of eczema vary greatly from person to person and include:

• Dry skin
• Itching that can be severe especially at night
• Raw, rough, swollen, cracked skin
• Thickened, cracked and scaly skin
• Bumps on the skin
• Crusting skin
• Swelling 
• Depression or anxiety 
• Asthma 
• Sleep loss
• Skin colour change 
• Red or brownish-grey patches on the skin
• Sore skin

Treatment of Eczema:

Dupixent is a prescription drug that works by blocking two proteins that contribute to the type of inflammation that plays a major role in chronic rhino sinusitis with dermatitis, asthma and nasal polyposis. Dupixent belongs to a group of drugs called interleukin inhibitors. Dupixent is used to treat severe eczema which cannot be controlled with topical medication. The generic name of Dupixent is Dupilumab. It is a monoclonal antibody which is used to treat eczema(atopic dermatitis).

Locoid(Hydrocortisone): Proficient cream to treat Eczema

Hydrocortisone is a topical corticosteroid medication. It helps treat inflammatory skin conditions by slowing down the immune system and reducing inflammation. 

Locoid Uses:

Hydrocortisone(Locoid) is used in treatment of:

• Eczema
• Inflammatory skin conditions 

Dupixent Uses:

Some important dupixent uses are;

It is used to treat:

• severe eczema that can’t be treated by topical medications.
• eczema in children at least 6 months old and in adults too.
• asthma which can’t be treated with asthma medicines (Combination therapy).
• asthma in adults and children of age at least 6 years.
• chronic rhino sinusitis which occurs due to nasal polyps in adults.
• eosinophilic esophagitis(EoE) in adults and children who are overweight.

Dupixent Dosage:

Dupixent Dosage for Atopic Dermatitis:

Paediatric Dose:

• Age: From 5 months to 6 years 
• Weight: 5 to less than15 kg

▪︎Initial dose: For every 4 weeks, one 200 mg subcutaneous injection 

▪︎Maintenance dose: For every 4 weeks, one 200 mg subcutaneous injection 

• Weight: 15 to less than 30 kg

▪︎Initial dose: For every 4 weeks, one 300 mg subcutaneous injection 

▪︎Maintenance dose: For every 4 weeks, one 300 mg subcutaneous injection

• Age: 6 years to 17 years 
• Weight: 15 to less than 30 kg

▪︎Initial dose: 600 mg subcutaneous injection( two 300 mg Injections at different sites of body)

▪︎Maintenance dose:  For every 4 weeks, one 300 mg subcutaneous injection

• Weight: 30 to less than 60 kg

▪︎Initial dose: 400 mg subcutaneous injection(two 200 mg Injections at different sites of body)

▪︎Maintenance Dose: For every other week 200 mg subcutaneous 

• Weight: 60 kg or greater 

▪︎Initial dose: 600 mg subcutaneous injection( two 300 mg Injections at different sites of body)

▪︎Maintenance dose: For every other week 300 mg subcutaneous

Dupixent Dosage for Asthma:

Paediatric Dose:

• Age: From 6 to 11 years
• Weight: 15 to less than 30 kg

▪︎Initial dose: For every other week 100 mg OR For every 4 weeks 300 mg 

• Weight: 30 kg and greater 

▪︎Initial dose: For every other week 200 mg 

Dupixent Dosage for Eosinophilic Esophagitis(EoE):

Paediatric Dose:

For every week 300 mg subcutaneous injection 

Dupixent Dosage for Atopic Dermatitis:

Adult dose:

▪︎Initial dose: 600 mg subcutaneous(two 300 mg injections at different sites of body)

▪︎Maintenance dose: For every other week

300 mg subcutaneous injection 

Dupixent Dosage for Asthma:

Adult dose:

▪︎Initial dose: 400mg subcutaneous (two 200 mg injections at different sites of body) 

▪︎For every other week, followed by 200 mg subcutaneous injection 

OR

▪︎Initial dose: 600mg subcutaneous (two 300 mg injections at different sites of body) 

▪︎For every other week, followed by 300 mg subcutaneous injection

Dupixent Dosage for Sinusitis:

Adult dose:

For every other week 300 mg subcutaneous injection 

Dupixent Dosage for Eosinophilic Esophagitis:

For every week 300 mg subcutaneous injection 

Dupixent Interactions:

Interactions between different drugs can affect their effectiveness and cause many unwanted side effects. Patients should be advised not to start, stop or change the dose of any medication without informing their attending physician. Some drugs that may Dupixent interaction include:

• axicabtagene ciloleucel
• BCG vaccine live
• brexucabtagene autoleucel
• cholera vaccine
• influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent, intranasal
• measles mumps and rubella vaccine, live
• smallpox vaccine, live
• typhoid vaccine live
• yellow fever vaccine
• zoster vaccine live

This article does not cover all Dupixent interactions but a few are listed above.

Dupixent Side Effects:

If any dupixent side effects worsens immediately contact your concerned doctor. Some common dupixent side effects are as follows:

• Injection site reactions
• Throat pain
• Oral herpes causing cold sores, or other herpes infections
• Dry or itchy eyes
• Conjunctivitis 
• Insomnia 
• Toothache
• Joint pain
• Gastritis 
• Eosinophilia
• Eyelid inflammation

Dupixent Precautions and Warnings:

Before taking Dupixent, talk to your doctor about your previous medical condition. If your health condition is already compromised with other conditions then dupixent is not right for you. These include:

• Vaccines: Make sure you have all vaccines before taking dupixent because it can interact with other live vaccines.
• Parasitic Infections: If you have a parasitic infection treat that infection firstly and then start treatment with dupixent.
• Asthma Attack: Dupixent is not used to treat asthma it only reduces the symptoms of asthma that’s why it does not stop asthma attack from happening if its started already.
• Eye Conditions: Dupixent can cause new or worsening eye problems so if you experience any tell your doctor.
• Allergic Reactions: You should not use dupixent if you have any allergic reaction like rash, hives and breathing problems etc.

Dupixent Pros and Cons:

Pros:

• It is available as pre-filled syringes and pens.
• Unlike fusion medications it can be easily injected at home.
• You have to inject dupixent only once or twice a month.

Cons:

• Injection can cause pain, itching and swelling at the site.
• It is expensive and its low-cost generic is not available.
• To buy a dupixent, you have to go to a special pharmacy instead of a local pharmacy.