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Asthma can be a tough condition to navigate. If you or a loved one are suffering from moderate-to-severe
asthma that isn't well controlled, partnering with a specialist might be the appropriate next step.
Specialists like Pulmonologistsinflammation
and Allergists are specially trained in chronic conditions related to the lungs and underlyingSpecialists can work with you to
help identify what may be triggering your symptomsWorking with a specialist can
help create a personalized treatment plan to help manage your asthma symptomsStrong doctor-patient relationships can help drive informed treatment recommendations
SHARRON: My severe asthma was out of control most of my life, probably about 20 years. I didn’t always know when I was gonna have an asthma attack, and that’s part of the challenging part of living with severe asthma.
I tried prescription inhalers, nebulizers, oral corticosteroids.
These treatments were just not providing the relief that I was looking for.
When my doctor suggested DUPIXENT as an add-on maintenance treatment, I wanted to know everything. I was at a point where I was ready—we both felt that I was ready.
DR. SPORTER: I see a lot of patients like Sharron who have moderate-to-severe eosinophilic asthma that’s not controlled despite inhalers, or they have oral steroiddependent asthma.
Their immune system is in overdrive. It's hyperactive, and when they have an asthma attack, that hyperactivity is causing them to have tight airways. For these patients, I recommend DUPIXENT.
DUPIXENT works in your immune system to help dial down that overreaction, and it's not an immunosuppressant. DUPIXENT is a biologic medication that works differently by targeting the underlying source of that inflammation.
SHARRON: I didn't know how I would respond to DUPIXENT, but I was hopeful that it could help me. At that point, I had to do something to take charge of my severe asthma, so I said, "Let's do it.” I felt that my doctor really understood my asthma, and I trusted his opinion.
DR. SPORTER: The first thing I want to do is understand their questions about DUPIXENT, and I want to make sure that I answer them and give them the opportunity to get the information they need.
I assure them that I have experience treating patients with DUPIXENT, and that patients in the clinical trials saw positive results. Over time, patients on DUPIXENT may experience decreased asthma symptoms and improved lung function. Of course, everyone's experience on DUPIXENT is different.
SHARRON: My doctor was straight with me. He kept my expectations in check, and he said, "Let's try it and see how this goes."
SHARRON: Before I started DUPIXENT, I told my doctor about all the medical conditions I had and medications I was taking.
My doctor and I talked about the potential benefits and risks of treatment, including the most common side effects such as injection site reactions, and some serious side effects including allergic reactions that can sometimes be severe, inflammation of your blood vessels, and joint aches and pain.
DR. SPORTER: Every so often, I have a patient who's on the fence about DUPIXENT because it's an injectable medication.
I explain that DUPIXENT is a biologic medication. It works different from oral medications or steroids. Most biologic medications are injections. I let them know that I'll train them to self-inject.
For my patients who aren’t comfortable injecting with a syringe, I let them know that there’s a pre-filled single-dose pen.
SHARRON: My doctor told me that DUPIXENT was going to be an injectable. That it would involve a syringe. So, when he first told me that, I was a little nervous because I have a little fear of needles.
My doctor and I spent some time talking about the self-injection. He referred me to the self-injection video on DUPIXENT.com.
He also said there was a team at DUPIXENT MyWay who could provide supplemental injection training to help me become more familiar with self-injecting. I felt more at ease, and I also felt that the support was there if I needed it.
DR. SPORTER: I can tell you, as a physician, it feels great to see patients like Sharron come in and have improved symptoms on DUPIXENT. It's important to keep in mind that a patient's individual results with DUPIXENT may vary.
SHARRON: I'm so glad my doctor and I made the decision to start DUPIXENT.
VO:
Use this HealthgradesTM tool to easily find nearby specialists with experience in treating children, teens, and adults with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe eosinophilic or oral steroid dependent asthma.
Sanofi US and Regeneron do not endorse or recommend any particular physician, and search results do not include a comprehensive list of doctors in your area.
Learn how to advocate for yourself or your loved one.
Listen as a patient speaks up.
ANNOUNCER: Shortly, you're going to hear how an adult patient and doctor, portrayed by actors, might discuss life with uncontrolled oral corticosteroid dependent asthma and potentially adding DUPIXENT (dupilumab) to the patient's current treatment plan. Please listen to the Important Safety Information and Indication at the end of this audio, and please see links for full Prescribing Information including Patient Information above.
DOCTOR: OK, so... while I pull up your charts, why don't you catch me up on how things have been going since we last met. How have you been feeling?
PATIENT: Actually, that's what I was hoping to talk to you about today. My asthma's really been affecting me.
DOCTOR: OK, tell me more.
PATIENT: Well, there's so much I still can't do because of my asthma. Like the other day—I was at a birthday party for a friend and got winded singing “Happy Birthday.” So, [pause] now I'm worried about swimming and keeping up with my family next month when we go on our beach trip. My family means a lot to me, so I want to be able to enjoy my time with them.
DOCTOR: I understand. That sounds like it's tough on you and your family. Are you taking your asthma medications every day like we discussed?
PATIENT: Yeah, I take them, [pause] but it's not enough. My chest still gets tight, and I feel like I can't breathe.
DOCTOR: Are you having any other symptoms that suggest your asthma isn't well controlled, like coughing, or waking up at night?
PATIENT: Yes. I've been having to use my rescue inhaler a lot.
DOCTOR: It sounds like your asthma is still really affecting your daily life. I didn't know it was having such an impact, so I'm glad you brought it up. There are other medicines we can consider if you're interested.
PATIENT: That's one of the things I wanted to ask you about. I saw something about this medicine called DUPIXENT. Can you tell me anything about it? I want to share more information with my family.
DOCTOR: Absolutely. I do have patients who take DUPIXENT.
PATIENT: That's good to hear.
DOCTOR: The relationship between DUPIXENT, measures of asthma control, and quality of life results was studied but not definitively proven. When taken with other asthma medications, DUPIXENT may help prevent severe asthma attacks.
PATIENT: Well that's exactly what I'm hoping for! Is it a pill, an inhaler...? [trails off]
DOCTOR: DUPIXENT is a subcutaneous injection. So... [patient interrupts]
PATIENT: What does sub... subcutaneous mean?
DOCTOR: It just means under the skin. If you're comfortable injecting yourself, you can do so from home after we've trained you. The first dose you receive—or the loading dose—will be 2 injections. After that you will need an injection every other week in order to help control your asthma symptoms.
PATIENT: Is my asthma really that serious that I would need an injection?
DOCTOR: If your asthma symptoms are limiting you, despite your current medications, it might be time to try another treatment option. I think DUPIXENT could help—it helps to relieve the inflammation in your lungs so you can breathe easier.
PATIENT: But what if I'm uncertain about injections?
DOCTOR: I will show you the right way to inject DUPIXENT. And after that, there are great resources from DUPIXENT MyWay, including supplemental injection training videos, that you can watch by yourself or with family. You can also call a Nurse Educator for one-on-one support.
PATIENT: That's great! I'm glad to hear there are resources I can refer to. [pause] So, are there any side effects?
DOCTOR: DUPIXENT has side effects—some serious and others more common—that we should discuss. DUPIXENT may cause allergic reactions that can sometimes be severe. Also, inflammation of blood vessels occurred rarely in those taking DUPIXENT for asthma, as well as joint aches and pain. The most common side effects in patients with asthma include injection site reactions, high count of a certain white blood cell (eosinophilia), pain in the throat (oropharyngeal pain), and parasitic (helminth) infections.
PATIENT: How will I know DUPIXENT is working?
DOCTOR: Well, after 2 weeks of treatment, you may notice that you can breathe easier because of improvements in your lung function. And eventually we may even be able to reduce or completely eliminate your use of oral steroids, but do not change or stop taking your steroids without first talking with me.
PATIENT: It sounds like it could help me, but how do I know if I can afford it?
DOCTOR: There is a copay card that can help with the cost of DUPIXENT if you're eligible. You can also call a Nurse Educator for help navigating the insurance process.
PATIENT: That would be so helpful.
DOCTOR: So do you think you're interested in trying DUPIXENT?
PATIENT: Yes! I think my family will be on board too—I'm absolutely ready to do more with less asthma.
VO:
Important Safety
Information and Indication
Do not use if you are allergic to dupilumab or to any of the ingredients in DUPIXENT®.
Before using DUPIXENT, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Especially tell your healthcare provider if you are taking oral, topical, or inhaled corticosteroid medicines or use an asthma medicine. Do not change or stop your corticosteroid medicine or other asthma medicine without talking to your healthcare provider. This may cause other symptoms that were controlled by the corticosteroid medicine or other asthma medicine to come back.
DUPIXENT can cause serious side effects, including:
The most common side effects in patients with asthma include injection site reactions, high count of a certain white blood cell (eosinophilia), pain in the throat (oropharyngeal pain), and parasitic (helminth) infections.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of DUPIXENT. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Use DUPIXENT exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. It’s an injection given under the skin (subcutaneous injection). Your healthcare provider will decide if you or your caregiver can inject DUPIXENT. Do not try to prepare and inject DUPIXENT until you or your caregiver have been trained by your healthcare provider. In children 12 years of age and older, it’s recommended DUPIXENT be administered by or under supervision of an adult. In children 6 to less than 12 years of age, DUPIXENT should be given by a caregiver.
Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information including Patient Information.
Indication
DUPIXENT is a prescription medicine used with other asthma medicines for the maintenance treatment of moderate-to-severe eosinophilic or oral steroid dependent asthma in adults and children 6 years of age and older whose asthma is not controlled with their current asthma medicines. DUPIXENT helps prevent severe asthma attacks (exacerbations) and can improve your breathing. DUPIXENT may also help reduce the amount of oral corticosteroids you need while preventing severe asthma attacks and improving your breathing. DUPIXENT is not used to treat sudden breathing problems. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with asthma under 6 years of age.
DUP.22.10.0096
December 2022
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