Dupixent (dupilumab) is a prescription drug. It’s used to treat chronic (ongoing) rhinosinusitis (nasal and sinus inflammation) due to nasal polyps. Dupixent is a biologic drug and does not come in a biosimilar version.

Dupixent comes as a liquid solution inside prefilled, single-use injection pens or syringes. It’s given as an injection under your skin.

Dupixent’s active ingredient is dupilumab,a biologic. This medication belongs to a group of drugs called monoclonal antibodies.

Nasal polyps are noncancerous growths in the lining of your nose. They’re often triggered by other health conditions. One common cause is chronic rhinosinusitis, which refers to ongoing nasal and sinus inflammation.

What are the symptoms of nasal polyps?

Who is Dupixent prescribed for?

Doctors prescribe Dupixent to treat chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. It’s used for adults and children ages 12 years and older when other treatments, such as nasal corticosteroids, have not worked well enough.

Dupixent is not approved to treat chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps. However, some doctors may prescribe the drug off-label for this use. With off-label use, a drug is prescribed to treat a condition other than those it was approved for.

If you have questions about using Dupixent for other conditions, talk with your doctor.

Keep reading to learn how Dupixent works.

How does Dupixent work?

Dupixent blocks the activity of proteins in your body called interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13). These proteins play a role in inflammation, which can lead to chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

By blocking these proteins, Dupixent can help reduce inflammation in the lining of your nose. As a result, the drug helps shrink nasal polyps and ease symptoms of this condition.

For more information about how Dupixent works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also learn more from the drug manufacturer’s website.

Is Dupixent used in children?

Dupixent is approved for use in children ages 12 years and older.

Dupixent has been shown to be an effective treatment for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. In studies, treatment helped ease symptoms of this condition.

To learn more about how Dupixent performed in these studies, see the manufacturer’s website. You can also view Dupixent’s prescribing information or talk with your doctor.

Below are common dosages of Dupixent for treating chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. However, ensure you follow the instructions and dosage your doctor has prescribed.

What is the usual dosage for Dupixent?

For nasal polyps, the usual dosage of Dupixent is 300 milligrams (mg) every other week.

Note: Dupixent has other uses in addition to treating nasal polyps. The dosage may be different for these other uses. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about Dupixent’s other uses.

How do you use Dupixent?

Dupixent comes as a liquid solution inside prefilled, single-use injection pens or syringes. It’s given as an injection under your skin.

You’ll inject Dupixent under the skin of your abdomen or thigh. Alternatively, a caregiver can inject the drug under the skin of your upper arm.

If you have questions about using Dupixent, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also view instructions on the manufacturer’s website.

How often should I use Dupixent?

You’ll use Dupixent once every other week for nasal polyps.

Using Dupixent for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps may cause side effects in some people. These side effects can be mild or serious.

The lists below include some of the main side effects that have been reported in people using Dupixent for nasal polyps. For information about other possible side effects of this medication, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

You can also learn more from the drug’s prescribing information.

Note: Dupixent is also approved to treat other conditions. It’s important to note that side effects from this medication may differ depending on the condition it’s being used to treat.

What are Dupixent’s mild side effects?

Dupixent may cause mild side effects in some people with nasal polyps. These include:

In many cases, mild side effects from the drug can be temporary. Some side effects may also be easy to manage. However, if side effects last longer, are bothersome, or become severe, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What are Dupixent’s serious side effects?

Using Dupixent may lead to rare but serious side effects, including vasculitis (blood vessel inflammation) in people with asthma.

Call your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects while using Dupixent. If the side effects seem life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Dupixent can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should continue Dupixent treatment.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Dupixent, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Before you use Dupixent, there’s some important information to consider. The drug may not be safe for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Some of these are mentioned below.

If any of the following medical conditions or other health factors apply to you, talk with your doctor before using Dupixent.

The price of Dupixent depends on several factors. These can include your treatment plan, your insurance plan, the pharmacy you use, and your location.

Dupixent is a brand-name biologic drug. It’s not available in a biosimilar version.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.