Dupixent, also known as Dupilumab, is an injection that can help treat the symptoms of a number of conditions, such as atopic dermatitis and eczema, asthma, and nasal polyps. The drug, administered via an injection, works to calm down an overexcited immune system, so you will benefit from a reduced response. Here at Kentuckiana Ear, Nose & Throat and Higgins Sinus in Louisville, KY, your sinus specialist can prescribe the medicine.

When you come to the clinic for your initial consultation, we will evaluate all of your symptoms to see whether you are a good fit for this kind of treatment. You will then be booked in for your first injection and told what to do before and after you come for your appointment. Read on to find out more about the drug, what it treats, and what your sessions might be like.
 
What Is Dupixent Prescribed for? 
 
Dupilumab is an injection that can help to curb several common allergy-like problems. It is a monoclonal antibody, and it binds to certain receptors, thereby preventing the body's overreaction that leads to inflammation. Once the immune system is calm, you are likely to experience fewer symptoms of atopic dermatitis, eczema, asthma, or nasal polyps.
 
While some people just need it as a short-term intervention, it has been proven safe in the long term, as well, so if your condition is chronic and has not been resolved by other measures, this injection could be a good option. Since it is a prescription medication, you'll have to make an appointment with your sinus specialist, who can tell you whether Dupilumab is the correct medicine for you and who can correctly inject it under your skin.
 
Atopic Dermatitis and Eczema 

The primary condition that this drug treats is atopic dermatitis, which is the most common kind of eczema and affects around 16.5 million adults in the US. The issue usually starts in childhood, with many people experiencing it before their first birthday, but it can persist or even begin when the patient is older. Some of the most common symptoms are itching, dryness, and cracking of the skin. Your tissue might also feel sore and look discolored.
 
Most commonly, atopic dermatitis affects the hands, face, backs of the knees, insides of the elbows, and even the face and scalp, but it can occur anywhere on the body. You should always get in touch with a specialist if your symptoms are severe and difficult to live with, particularly if you've had the problem for more than 12 months. They will be able to diagnose the condition and let you know what types of interventions you can try.
 
Asthma

Asthma is a lung condition that also tends to begin in childhood and can cause difficulty breathing. There are four main symptoms sufferers may experience on a regular basis: coughing, a whistling sound when breathing that is often called wheezing, a tight chest, and breathlessness. An asthma attack happens when these symptoms suddenly get worse, and interventions such as using an inhaler are often needed.
 
Currently, there is no known cure for asthma, but the symptoms can be mitigated by using certain drugs such as Dupilumab. If you believe that you or your child is suffering from this condition, you shouldn't delay seeing a specialist. A diagnosis can be made through some simple tests, and various methods of coping with asthma will then be addressed.
 
Nasal Polyps 

A polyp is a growth that is usually soft and painless, so you might not notice when this problem first crops up in your nose. However, when the polyp grows too large, you might start to experience various issues such as a runny or blocked nose, a post-nasal drip that causes a constant need to swallow, snoring, nosebleeds, or a reduced sense of smell or taste.
 
Your Louisville, Kentucky sinus specialist is the best person to speak to if you are suffering from any of these problems. Sometimes, you will need to have surgery to remove your nasal polyps, but this isn't always necessary. Dupixent can improve several of the symptoms you might be suffering from, such as the blocked nose or the loss of smell, and if you get treatment, you might be able to live with the condition without significant issues.
 
How Is it Administered?
 
As mentioned above, this medicine is administered in the form of an injection, which means that you have to go to your specialist's practice to receive it. Depending on your individual situation, your doctor might decide to inject it into your upper arm, your thighs, or your stomach, and the injection site will be different each time you come to the clinic.
 
Most people will initially receive two doses of 300 mg injections, then 300 mg every two weeks. However, this dosage might be slightly different in children and teenagers, depending on their current weight. To receive more detailed instructions and find out what will happen during your appointment, you should get in touch with your specialist. They will be able to tell you when to come in and what to do before and after your treatment.
 
Who Can Benefit?
 
Many of the conditions that are addressed by this injection affect children, so you may be wondering at what age it can be started. In most cases, children aged 6 and up can benefit from the treatment, although they might receive lower doses or fewer injections. Before proceeding, go through the list of ingredients with your doctor and confirm that you or your child is not allergic to any of them.
 
Extra caution is also advisable if you have a parasitic infection, eye problems, or are scheduled to receive a vaccine in the next days or weeks. Women who are currently pregnant or breastfeeding should wait to use Dupilumab until their child is a bit older. While there is no evidence that the drug causes the babies any harm, it's better to be on the safe side and avoid the extra risk.
 
  How to Gain Access to the Medication 
 
Now that you know which conditions can be treated by Dupilumab and how it is administered, you may wonder where you can gain access to it. The best place to go for nasal polyps is your local sinus specialist, who will be able to diagnose your condition and speak to you about your various options. If you decide that you'd like to try this treatment, you can then book an appointment for your first injection. Allergists, dermatologists, and pulmonologists also prescribe Dupilumab for asthma and atopic dermatitis.

Dupixent is a highly effective injection that is used to treat atopic dermatitis and eczema, asthma, and nasal polyps. It can be administered to adults, teens, and children over the age of 6, and there are very few contraindications except pregnancy and breastfeeding. For people with a long-term issue, the medicine can be used safely over several months or even years.

Get in touch with us today at Kentuckiana Ear, Nose & Throat and Higgins Sinus in Louisville, KY to find out more about this drug and some of the other interventions we offer. Dr. Thomas Higgins will be more than happy to welcome you to the clinic for your initial consultation. If you have nasal polyps, he can provide you with a wide range of minimally invasive solutions, so you can get back to normal as soon as possible.

Thomas S. Higgins, MD, MSPH

Dad. Husband. Sinus Nerd.