Dupixent is a brand-name prescription medication that contains the active drug dupilumab. It belongs to a class of drugs called interleukin receptor antagonists. Dupixent is a biologic drug, and it’s not available in a biosimilar form.*
This medication is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat the following conditions:
- moderate to severe atopic dermatitis in particular situations for adults and children ages 6 months and older
- moderate to severe asthma in particular situations for adults and children ages 6 years and older
- chronic rhinosinusitis† with nasal polyps in adults, as an add-on with other medications
- eosinophilic esophagitis in adults and children ages 12 years and older weighing at least 40 kilograms (kg), which is about 88 pounds (lb)
- prurigo nodularis in adults
* A biosimilar medication is a drug that’s similar to a brand-name biologic drug (the parent drug).
† Chronic rhinosinusitis is sometimes referred to as chronic sinusitis.
Note: Never use Dupixent to treat shortness of breath or symptoms of an asthma attack. During Dupixent treatment, continue to use a rescue inhaler as directed by your doctor.
In this article, you’ll learn about Dupixent’s injection dosage and details on how to administer the drug. For a comprehensive overview of Dupixent, view this article.
Finding a healthcare professional
If you’re interested in taking Dupixent, search here to find a doctor who might prescribe it.
This article describes typical recommended dosages for Dupixent provided by the drug’s manufacturer.
Your doctor will prescribe the dosage of Dupixent that’s best for you.
Commonly recommended dosages for Dupixent are shown below.
You should follow the dosage your doctor prescribes for you.They’ll recommend the dosage that’s best for your condition.
Dupixent’s forms and strengths
Dupixent is available in the following forms and strengths:
| Form | Strength |
| solution in single-dose prefilled syringe, for subcutaneous injection | • 100 milligrams/0.67 milliliters (mg/mL) • 200 mg/1.14 mL • 300 mg/2 mL |
| solution in single-dose prefilled pen, for subcutaneous injection | • 200 mg/1.14 mL • 300 mg/2 mL |
Typical recommended dosages
Usually, doctors will prescribe a dosage of Dupixent appropriate for the condition being treated. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of Dupixent that gives the desired effect.
Adults’ dosage
The following are typical dosages of Dupixent for adults. A loading dose is the initial dose at the start of treatment. After that, you’ll usually switch to a maintenance dose for long-term treatment.
| Loading dosage | Maintenance dosage | |
| Dosage for atopic dermatitis (eczema) | • 600 mg (given as two 300-mg injections) | • 300 mg every 2 weeks |
| Dosage for asthma | • 400 mg (given as two 200-mg injections), or • 600 mg* (given as two 300-mg injections) |
• 200 mg every 2 weeks, or • 300 mg every 2 weeks |
| Dosage for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps | • no loading dose | • 300 mg every 2 weeks |
| Dosage for eosinophilic esophagitis | • no loading dose | • 300 mg every week |
| Dosage for prurigo nodularis | • 600 mg (given as two 300-mg injections) | • 300 mg every 2 weeks |
* This is the typical dosage for asthma in different situations. One situation is when asthma is treated with corticosteroids. Another is when it is treated along with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. Still another is when it is treated along with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.
Children’s dosage
Following are typical dosages of Dupixent for children.
Dosage for moderate to severe atopic dermatitis or eczema
The table below shows the recommended dosage for moderate to severe atopic dermatitis in children ages 6 months and older. Your child’s doctor will prescribe the dosage of Dupixent that’s right for your child’s condition.
Dosage is based on age and body weight. One kilogram (kg) is about 2.2 pounds (lb).
| Age | Body weight in kg | Approximate body weight in lb | Initial dosage | Maintenance dosage |
| 6 months to 5 years | 5 kg to less than 15 kg | 11 lb to less than 33 lb | 200 mg every 4 weeks* | 200 mg every 4 weeks |
| 6 months to 5 years | 15 kg to less than 30 kg | 33 lb to less than 66 lb | 300 mg every 4 weeks* | 300 mg every 4 weeks |
| 6 years to 17 years | 15 kg to less than 30 kg | 33 lb to less than 66 lb | 600 mg (given as two 300-mg injections) | 300 mg every 4 weeks |
| 6 years to 17 years | 30 kg to less than 60 kg | 66 lb to less than 132 lb | 400 mg (given as two 200-mg injections) | 200 mg every 2 weeks |
| 6 years to 17 years | 60 kg or more | 132 lb or more | 600 mg (given as two 300-mg injections) | 300 mg every 2 weeks |
* For children ages 6 months to 5 years, no initial loading dose is recommended.
Some children have both moderate to severe atopic dermatitis and moderate to severe asthma. In this case, their doctor typically will prescribe the dosages in the table shown above.
Dosage for moderate to severe asthma
Below is an overview of Dupixent’s recommended dosage for moderate to severe asthma in children ages 6 years and older. Your child’s doctor will prescribe the dosage of Dupixent that’s right for your child’s condition.
In children ages 6 to 11 years, dosage is based on body weight in kg (about 2.2 lb), as follows.
| Body weight in kg | Approximate body weight in lb | Recommended dosage |
| • 15 kg to less than 30 kg | • 33 lb to less than 66 lb | • 100 mg every 2 weeks, or • 300 mg every 4 weeks |
| • 30 kg or more | • 66 lb or more | • 200 mg every 2 weeks |
In children ages 12 years and older, dosage is as follows.
| Loading dose | Maintenance dosage |
| • 400 mg (given as two 200-mg injections), or • 600 mg* (given as two 300-mg injections) |
• 200 mg every 2 weeks, or • 300 mg every 2 weeks |
* This is the typical dosage for asthma in different situations. One situation is when asthma is treated with corticosteroids. Another is when it is treated along with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. Still another is when it is treated along with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.
Some children have both moderate to severe asthma and moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. In this case, their doctor typically will prescribe the dosages in the table shown in the “Dosage for moderate to severe atopic dermatitis or eczema” section above.
Dosage for eosinophilic esophagitis
The recommended dosage for eosinophilic esophagitis in children ages 12 years and older is 300 mg every week. Children must weigh at least 40 kg (about 88 lb). Ask your child’s doctor if you have questions about this dosage of Dupixent for your child.
Length of treatment
Doctors typically prescribe Dupixent as a long-term treatment. You’ll likely use it long term if you and your doctor feel it’s safe and effective for your condition.
Below are some common questions related to Dupixent’s dosage.
Is there a recommended Dupixent dosage schedule?
Yes, a dosage schedule is recommended for each condition Dupixent is approved to treat. For example, the dosage schedule for atopic dermatitis (eczema) includes an initial dose in some situations. (This is sometimes referred to as a loading dose.) After the initial dose, you typically will switch to the maintenance dose for long-term treatment.
However, your doctor will prescribe the dosage that is right for you. Be sure to follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.
Will I receive a starting dose of Dupixent?
You might receive a starting dosage, but not always. You may use a starting dose of Dupixent (sometimes called a loading dose) for certain conditions. Other conditions may not require a starting or loading dose as part of the treatment schedule.
Ask your doctor if you need additional information about the dosage of Dupixent for your condition.
Do I need to get any vaccines before my first Dupixent dose?
Yes, you may need some vaccinations. The drug’s manufacturer recommends getting age-appropriate vaccinations before starting Dupixent.
You can talk with your doctor or pharmacist about the vaccinations you may need.
Your doctor will consider several factors when prescribing the dosage for Dupixent. These factors include:
- your age
- your weight
- the condition you’re using Dupixent to treat
- the severity of your condition
Your prescribed dosage also may vary based on other medical conditions you have.
Dupixent comes as a liquid solution in a single-dose prefilled syringe or a single-dose prefilled pen. Both forms are administered by subcutaneous injection.
The Dupixent manufacturer’s website has detailed instructions for administering the injections by syringe and pen. They include how to clean the injection site and check the medication for visible flakes or particles.
You may learn to inject the medication yourself or have a caregiver do it for you.
An adult should administer or supervise injections of Dupixent for children, depending on the child’s age. Children ages 12 years and older may be trained to administer Dupixent injections. Once they’re properly trained and are comfortable giving injections, they may administer them under adult supervision.
If a caregiver is administering the injection, Dupixent can be injected into the upper arm. If you are administering it to yourself, the medication can be injected into the abdomen, at least 2 inches from your navel. It also can be injected into the front of your thigh.
Choose an injection spot where the skin is not discolored, tender, or hard. Use a different injection spot rather than the one you used for the previous dose. If your loading dose requires two injections, use two different injection sites.
If you find it challenging to read the label on your prescription, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Certain pharmacies provide medication labels with large print or braille. They may also offer labels containing a scannable code that your smartphone can convert from text to speech. If your pharmacy doesn’t provide these choices, your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
If you miss a dose of Dupixent, the action you will take depends on your dosing schedule. These actions are described below.
View these medication reminder options to help avoid missing doses. You could also set an alarm or download a reminder app on your phone.
Administered once weekly. If you administer Dupixent every week and miss a dose, administer your injection as soon as you remember.
Then, adjust your weekly dosing schedule using the date you injected Dupixent as the new start date. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you need help with adjusting your schedule.
Administered once every 2 weeks. If you administer Dupixent every 2 weeks and miss a dose, administer your injection as soon as you remember.
If you administer your injection within 7 days of the missed dose, you can keep the same schedule.
If more than 7 days went by after your missed dose, do not administer the missed dose. Instead, administer your next injection at its scheduled time.
Administered once every 4 weeks. If you administer Dupixent every 4 weeks and miss a dose, administer your injection as soon as you remember.
If you administer your injection within 7 days of the missed dose, you can keep the same schedule.
If more than 7 days passed since your missed dose, administer the missed dose. Then, restart your dosing schedule. The most recent date you injected Dupixent will become the new start date. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you need help with adjusting your schedule.
For some drugs, using more than the recommended dosage may lead to unwanted side effects or overdose. Do not use more Dupixent than your doctor prescribes.
What to do if you take too much Dupixent
Call your doctor if you think you’ve administered too much of this drug. Also, you can call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. However, if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or a local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for additional information about Dupixent’s dosage. Your doctor will provide training for injecting Dupixent.
Keep in mind that the dosages presented in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Dupixent that’s right for you and your condition. Always follow the dosage that they prescribe. Similarly, as with any medications you’re taking, do not change your Dupixent dosage without their recommendation.
In addition to discussing Dupixent with your doctor, you may find the following articles helpful in learning more.
- Overview of Dupixent. For comprehensive details on Dupixent, see this article.
- Drug comparisons. To learn how Dupixent compares with Fasenra, read this article.
- Information on side effects. If you’d like to know about possible side effects of Dupixent, view this article.
- Details about Dupixent’s uses. To learn more about the conditions Dupixent is used to treat, see these articles on the following conditions:
Disclaimer: Healthgrades 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.