Do You Have to Take Dupixent Forever? What You Need to Know

Since 2017, Dupixent has been used to treat adults and children with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. Though intended for long-term use, research suggests that many people can prolong the intervals in between their doses while keeping their atopic dermatitis flares at bay. Some people may even be able to stop taking the medication altogether.

In this article, we’ll explain how Dupixent works, how to prolong the interval in between injections, and what alternative treatments are available.

What is Dupixent?

Dupixent (also referred to by its generic name dupilumab) is an injectable prescription medication that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2017 to treat moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (also referred to as eczema) in adults and children. It can also be used as a maintenance treatment for asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis as well as a treatment for eosinophilic esophagitis, prurigo nodularis, and chronic spontaneous urticaria.

Since its approval in 2017, the medication has helped to improve the quality of life in many people with moderate-to-severe eczema. 

How Does Dupixent Work?

Experts believe that Dupixent works to treat eczema by blocking receptors that trigger allergic inflammatory activity in the body. 

Some also believe that it may modify the immune system to prevent future eczema flares and other atopic diseases, especially when administered in children. But more research is needed to determine this effect. 

Dutch Pediatric Dermatologist and Head of the National Expertise Center of Atopic Dermatitis in Children, Dr. Marlies de Graff, believes that additional research may help determine whether the medication, if administered at an early age when the immune system is still developing, could cure eczema later in life and help to prevent children from developing other atopic diseases, like asthma.  

What are the Side Effects of Dupixent?

Like all medications, Dupixent can cause side effects. The most common side effects of Dupixent when used to treat eczema include:

• Upper respiratory infections
• Redness or swelling at the injection site
• Conjunctivitis (eye irritation, itching, and dryness)
• Blurred vision
• Cold sores in the mouth or lips

Can You Take Breaks from Dupixent?

Dupixent is intended for long-term use. However, as with many medications, finding the minimum effective dose is beneficial for most people.

Dupixent doses vary between 200mg and 300mg, depending on individual factors like age and weight. Initial injections are usually administered once every two weeks. Though there isn’t flexibility when it comes to changing the dosage, recent data shows that it is possible to prolong the interval in between each injection while keeping eczema flares at bay.

Data from 401 people who were treated with Dupixent for a period of roughly 1.3 years shows that prolonging the interval in between doses was successful in 83% of participants. In other words, 83% of the people they studied were able to receive less frequent injections without experiencing eczema flares in between injections.

Additional data from over 1,200 people shows that 67% of people were able to reduce the frequency of Dupixent injections regardless of their disease severity. Most people reduced their injection frequency to once every 3-4 weeks, though some were able to taper their injections to once every 6-8 weeks. 

How Do You Taper Dupixent Injections?

According to the data from 2023, it’s best to wait until your symptoms are controlled before prolonging the interval in between injections. For most people, this means administering the medication every two weeks until your flares disappear for at least three months and working closely with your dermatology provider.

Once your symptoms are controlled on the medication, your provider may recommend prolonging injections to once every three weeks for a period of three months. If your symptoms are still manageable, you can try prolonging injections to once every four weeks for a period of three months. If you’re still not experiencing flares, you may try prolonging injections to once every 6-8 weeks or taking a break all together.

Why Take Fewer Dupixent Injections?

Some people worry that extending the period between their Dupixent injections may lead to a return of their eczema flares, especially if the medication has successfully improved their symptoms and quality of life.

But less frequent injections can offer a variety of benefits, including a lower risk of side effects and reduced anxiety associated with the administration of injections. 

Do You Have to Take Dupixent Forever?

Most people who benefit from Dupixent continue to take the medication long-term, even after prolonging the interval between injections. However, a small percentage of people may be able to stop taking the medication completely.

In one study analyzing data from over 1,200 people with eczema who prolonged Dupixent intervals, just ten people were able to stop their dupixent treatment completely after controlling disease. While data suggests that stopping treatment is possible, it’s important to have a strategy to control the eczema off injections. Getting your eczema under control may help you utilize less intensive treatments in the long-term.

One of the researchers who analyzed this data explains that if a person is able to taper their injections to once every eight weeks without experiencing any flares in their symptoms, this is a positive sign that you may be able to stop treatment.

What Happens if You Stop Taking Dupixent?

Stopping Dupixent cold turkey without tapering the frequency of injections is not recommended. It’s also not recommended to stop or taper Dupixent if you have moderate-to-high active rashes and symptoms while on the medication.

It’s important to work closely with your dermatology provider when tapering your injections. Some people who try to prolong the period in between injections will experience a return of their eczema symptoms.

Keep in mind that if it doesn’t work the first time, you can make multiple attempts at prolonging your injection intervals. In fact, some people aren’t successful at prolonging their injections until their second or third attempt.

Alternative Treatments to Dupixent

If Dupixent doesn’t work for you, there are alternatives to consider. Alternative treatments your provider may recommend include:

• Narrow-band uvb aka phototherapy
• Adbry (tralokinumab-ldrm)
• Ebglyss ((lebrikizumab)
• Cibinqo (abrocitinib)
• Rinvoq (upadacitinib)

If you’re not sure which treatment is right for you, work with a dermatology expert to treat your eczema symptoms. 

At Zest, you have access to unlimited virtual access to our expert, specialized care for your eczema. You can make an appointment within days or use our 24/7 chat messaging service to get relief faster, all covered by most major insurers.