What is Dupixent prescribed for?
DUPIXENT (generic name: dupilumab), pronounced DU-pix-ent is prescribed for children aged 1 year and older to treat eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), a chronic inflammatory condition of the esophagus.
EoE is caused by a buildup of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell, which leads to damage and inflammation in the esophagus.
This can cause difficulty swallowing, food impaction, and other symptoms. Dupixent helps reduce inflammation by targeting specific proteins in the immune system, improving symptoms and the ability to swallow.
What is the name of the drug and what does it do?
The drug Dupixent has been approved by the FDA to help children aged 1 to 11 with a condition called eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE).
Dupixent is the first medicine made specifically to treat these young patients. It works by targeting a type of inflammation, known as type 2 inflammation, which is thought to be the main reason behind EoE.
This condition harms the esophagus and affects how it works.
Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic and progressive disease that involves inflammation in the esophagus.
This inflammation is driven by a type of immune response called type 2 inflammation.
EoE can lead to damage in the esophagus, causing difficulties in swallowing, heartburn, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, food refusal, and failure to thrive, especially in children. It can significantly impact a child’s ability to eat and grow properly.
Continuous treatment is often necessary to manage EoE and reduce the risk of complications and disease progression.
How does it work?
Dupixent is a type of medicine that blocks the actions of certain parts of the body’s defense system called interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13).
Interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) are like messengers that can cause inflammation in the body.
By stopping these messengers, Dupixent helps to decrease a specific type of inflammation called type 2 inflammation.
This type of inflammation plays a big role in diseases like eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), where the body’s immune response causes harm in the esophagus.
What did the research discover?
The FDA approved Dupixent for kids with EoE after studying it in the Phase 3 (phase 3: the final stage of testing drug on large group for approval) EoE KIDS trial.
In this trial, 66% of children on higher dose Dupixent got better compared to only 3% on placebo after 16 weeks.
By week 52, 53% of Dupixent-treated kids remained better. Kids on Dupixent also had fewer EoE symptoms than those on placebo at 16 weeks.
Dupixent’s safety in kids aged 1 to 11 was similar to how it performed in older patients.
Common side effects were injection site reactions, respiratory infections, joint pain, and herpes infections.
This approval is a big step in treating EoE in kids, meeting their medical needs, and possibly changing how EoE is cared for in this age group.
What are some of the side effects?
- Eye problems
- Joint aches and pains
- Inflammation of blood vessels
- Injection site reactions
- upper respiratory tract infections
- cold sores in your mouth or on your lips
What are the dosage recommendations and how is it prescribed?
Dupixent is injected under the skin, usually once every 2 to 4 weeks. Your first dose may be given in 2 injections. Dosage recommendations for Dupixent can vary based on the specific condition being treated.
For pediatric patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), Dupixent is typically administered based on weight tiers.
Source:
DUPIXENT® (DUPILUMAB) FDA APPROVED AS FIRST AND ONLY TREATMENT INDICATED FOR CHILDREN AGED 1 YEAR AND OLDER WITH EOSINOPHILIC ESOPHAGITIS (EOE) [Internet]. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2024 [cited 2024 Jun 28]. Available from: https://investor.regeneron.com/news-releases/news-release-details/dupixentr-dupilumab-fda-approved-first-and-only-treatment
