Dupixent (dupilumab) is given as a subcutaneous injection, meaning it goes just under the skin rather than into a vein or muscle. You can give it to yourself at home using either a pre-filled syringe or a pre-filled pen, both of which come as single-dose devices ready to use. No mixing or measuring is required.
Pre-Filled Pen vs. Pre-Filled Syringe
Dupixent comes in two device options. The pre-filled pen works like an auto-injector: you press it against your skin, click a button, and the device handles the injection automatically. The pre-filled syringe requires you to manually push the plunger, which gives you more control over the speed of the injection but takes a bit more technique. Both devices are available in 200 mg and 300 mg doses.
The pen is approved for adults and children aged 2 and older. The syringe covers a broader age range, starting at 6 months. For very young children, the syringe is the only option.
Where to Inject
The three recommended injection sites are the thigh, the lower abdomen (avoiding the area within two inches of the navel), and the upper arm. The upper arm is only practical if someone else is giving you the injection, since it’s hard to reach on your own. You should rotate your injection site each time, and avoid injecting into skin that is tender, bruised, damaged, or affected by eczema or other skin conditions.
Preparing and Giving the Injection
Before injecting, take the device out of the refrigerator and let it reach room temperature. This typically takes about 30 to 45 minutes. Injecting cold medication is more likely to cause discomfort. Do not speed up the warming process with a microwave, hot water, or direct sunlight.
Check the liquid through the viewing window. It should be clear to slightly yellow. If it looks cloudy, discolored, or contains visible particles, don’t use it. Clean your injection site with an alcohol wipe and let it dry. Pinch the skin at your chosen site, insert the needle, and either press the pen’s button or slowly push the syringe plunger all the way down. Hold the device in place for several seconds to make sure the full dose is delivered before removing it.
Each device is single-use. After the injection, place it immediately into a sharps disposal container. When that container is about three-quarters full, dispose of it through your community’s guidelines, which may include drop-off sites at pharmacies, hospitals, or fire stations, mail-back programs, or special waste pickup services.
Dosing Schedules by Condition
Dupixent is FDA-approved for eight conditions, and the dosing schedule varies depending on which one you’re being treated for. Most conditions follow a pattern of a larger initial loading dose followed by smaller maintenance doses.
Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema)
Adults start with a loading dose of 600 mg (two 300 mg injections on the same day), then 300 mg every two weeks. Children aged 6 to 17 are dosed by weight: those 60 kg or heavier follow the adult schedule, those between 30 and 60 kg start with 400 mg (two 200 mg injections) then 200 mg every two weeks, and those between 15 and 30 kg start with 600 mg then 300 mg every four weeks. Children under 6 receive a single injection every four weeks with no loading dose, at either 200 mg or 300 mg depending on weight.
Asthma
Adults and teens 12 and older typically start with a 400 mg loading dose (two 200 mg injections), then 200 mg every two weeks. If you also have eczema, nasal polyps, or are on oral corticosteroids, the dose increases to 600 mg initially, then 300 mg every two weeks. Children 6 to 11 get a weight-based dose every two or four weeks with no loading dose.
Nasal Polyps
Adults receive 300 mg every two weeks with no loading dose.
Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Adults and teens 12 and older (weighing at least 40 kg) receive 300 mg once a week, making this the most frequent dosing schedule among Dupixent’s approved uses.
Other Approved Conditions
Dupixent is also approved for prurigo nodularis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with elevated eosinophils, chronic spontaneous urticaria, and bullous pemphigoid. Your prescriber will determine the specific schedule for these conditions based on the approved dosing guidelines.
Who Gives the Injection
Adults can self-inject. Teens aged 12 to 17 can also self-inject, but should do so under adult supervision. For children under 12, a caregiver must perform the injection. Your first injection is typically given at a healthcare provider’s office so you can learn the proper technique before doing it at home.
What to Do if You Miss a Dose
If you miss your scheduled injection, give yourself the dose within 7 days and then resume your original schedule. If more than 7 days have already passed, skip the missed dose entirely and wait for your next regularly scheduled injection. Don’t double up to make up for a missed dose.
Storage
Keep Dupixent refrigerated between 36°F and 46°F (2°C to 8°C). If needed, you can store it at room temperature up to 77°F (25°C) for a maximum of 14 days, which is useful for travel. Any device left at room temperature longer than 14 days should be thrown away. Do not freeze or shake the medication.
Injection Site Reactions
Injection site reactions are the most common side effect of the administration itself. In clinical trials, roughly 12 to 17 percent of patients experienced them, compared to about 7 percent of patients receiving placebo injections. These reactions tend to appear within the first week after an injection, especially during the first two months of treatment. Typical symptoms include redness, itching, swelling, bruising, pain, or mild irritation at the injection site. They’re generally mild and resolve on their own. Letting the medication fully warm to room temperature before injecting and rotating sites consistently can help reduce discomfort.