Is Dupixent a Super Solution for Bad Eczema?

Most people with eczema find it intensely frustrating. They itch, and their skin is often red with swollen patches. Medications may help soothe the irritation, but most patients don’t know why they suffer. Moreover, they can’t find a cure. Could a new drug called dupilumab (Dupixent) offer a solution?

Will Dupixent Vanquish Long-Standing Eczema?

Q. A reader recently asked about eczema, lamenting that there is no cure. I suffered from eczema for over four decades, but last year my dermatologist suggested that I try a new drug called Dupixent. Within a week, it had completely cleared my eczema, and I’ve had no recurrence since then.

On the downside, the list price of the drug is hideously high. (I pay nothing thanks to my medical insurance and a discount from the drug maker.) I give myself an injection every 14 days. Readers with eczema who have good medical coverage and who aren’t afraid of needles might want to ask their doctors about this option. It’s changed my life for the better.

Who Could Benefit from This New Drug?

A. Dupixent is one of the newest treatments for atopic dermatitis. That’s the medical term for eczema, which may be an expression of an overactive immune system. The FDA approved this immune-modifying medication two years ago for people whose condition has not responded to standard treatments. Specifically, although children often have eczema, Dupixent is approved only for adults. About half of the volunteers in the clinical trials on this drug found that it reduced their symptoms by at least 75 percent.

What Does It Cost?

You are right that the price is breathtaking. Someone without good insurance might have to pay over $3,000 a month. That’s for two injections.

Does Dupixent Have Side Effects?

Side effects include reactions at the site of the injection and conjunctivitis. Keratitis, or inflammation of the cornea, is an uncommon but potentially dangerous reaction to dupilumab. Because it suppresses certain aspects of the immune system, some people may experience cold sores or other herpes infections. In addition, some people using this injectable medicine eventually develop antibodies to it and cannot continue to utilize it.