Injection Support Videos

Maya

Hi there! I’m Maya, and you’ll meet my daughter Emily in just a few moments.

We both use DUPIXENT (dupilumab), just like you. And just like you, our doctor showed us how to inject it, but we all need a refresher every once in a while. So we’re going to show you how to properly inject a dose of DUPIXENT. Whether you’re administering the injection to yourself, or injecting a loved one, we’ll be an additional guide for your at-home experience.

I know injections can be intimidating. To be honest, we were both pretty nervous when we first learned that we’d be doing the injections ourselves, at home. But with a little patience, practice, and a few support calls to our doctor and DUPIXENT MyWay, we’ve gotten better at the process, and are excited to share that with you.

Maya

So we follow three basic steps for either self-injecting, or giving an injection to someone. I’ll give you the important details later in this video, but here are the basics.

One - Gather your materials. You’ll need things like your DUPIXENT pre-filled pen, an alcohol wipe, a cotton ball or gauze, and your Sharps disposal container.

Two – Prep. This includes cleaning the injection site really well with the alcohol wipe.

And Three - inject and dispose of the single-dose, pre-filled pen. In my opinion, this could be the most intimidating part of the injection process, but don’t worry. We’re here for you.

Before we do any of that though it’s important to read the “Instructions for Use” located in your DUPIXENT treatment packaging. If you haven’t read it yet, pause the video and take a look.

You’ll want to read through the full “Instructions for Use” carefully, before using the pre-filled pen.

The steps for injecting yourself with the DUPIXENT single-dose pre-filled pen are the same for the 200mg and 300mg dosage strengths, except for the warming time, which will be described in more detail later.

In this video I’ll be injecting myself with the 300mg pen. I’ll also show you how I give an injection to Emily using the 200mg pen. If you have any questions about the dosage prescribed, please contact your healthcare provider.

• Your device may appear different than what you see in this video, based on your prescribed dose.
• The DUPIXENT pre-filled pen is approved for patients 2+ years of age.

Let’s take a closer look at the pre-filled pen. I found it helpful to familiarize myself with the different parts of the pre-filled pen, like the cap, the window and the needle cover, before handling the pre-filled pen itself.

Contact your healthcare provider or DUPIXENT MyWay with questions. They’re always there to help.

Maya

(Laughing) It’s time to take our DUPIXENT injection!

Emily

I’m ready!

Maya

Feel free to watch us.

First, let’s take the medication out of the refrigerator.

• Keep the pre-filled pen and all medicines out of the reach of children
• Keep unused pre-filled pens in the original carton and store in the refrigerator between 36° - 46° F (2°-8°C)

Next, let’s remove the DUPIXENT “Instructions for Use” from the packaging. You’ll want to read this completely before using the pre-filled pen. I like to keep it open and nearby when injecting for reference.

Done reading? Good!

Now let’s take one pen out of the packaging by holding the middle of the pen body so we can check the label to ensure that the medication and dosage strengths are correct, and the expiration date has not passed.

If either of those aren’t right, contact your pharmacy. Do not inject DUPIXENT if the expiration date or dosage strength are incorrect.

Ok, now let’s take a look at the medicine through the viewing window. The liquid inside should be clear and colorless, to pale yellow. If you see an air bubble, that’s ok. An air bubble is totally normal.

A few important disclaimers about the medicine and the DUPIXENT pre-filled pen.

• Do not inject DUPIXENT if the liquid is discolored or cloudy, or contains visible flakes or particles.
• Do not use the pre-filled pen if the window is solid yellow.
• Do not use the pre-filled pen if it has been damaged.
• Do not use the pre-filled pen if the cap is missing or not securely attached.

If you have any questions about whether the syringe is okay to use, please call DUPIXENT MyWay, or your healthcare provider.

If you have an unused pre-filled pen, return it to the refrigerator in the original carton to protect it from light.

Step One - let’s gather our materials.

We’ll keep those Instructions for Use nearby and then lay the pre-filled pen on a flat surface and let it naturally warm at a room temperature of less than 77°F (25°C).

• Do not store DUPIXENT pre-filled pens at room temperatures more than 77°F (25°C)
• Do not keep DUPIXENT at room temperature, less than or equal to 77°F (25°C) for more than 14 days
• After removing a DUPIXENT pre-filled pen from the refrigerator, it must be used within 14 days or thrown away (disposed of)

The recommended warming time for the 200mg pen is 30 minutes. And for the 300mg pen, it’s 45 minutes.

Here’s a few more helpful tips about the DUPIXENT pre-filled pen.

• Do not freeze or heat the pre-filled pen
• Do not put the pre-filled pen into direct sunlight
• Do not shake the pre-filled pen at any time

As the pen warms up, we can gather the additional materials needed to inject.

You’ll need a cotton ball, or gauze, in case there’s any bleeding. An alcohol wipe to clean the injection area, and a puncture resistant Sharps disposal container to properly dispose of the pre-filled pen after it is used.

If you don’t have a Sharps disposal container, call a DUPIXENT MyWay representative to request a complimentary one.

And don’t worry. It’s ok if your Sharps disposal container looks a little different than mine.

• Your puncture resistant disposal container may look different than the one shown here

Looks like we’re just about ready to inject DUPIXENT.

So, first, let’s wash our hands thoroughly with soap and water.

Now, take your supplies to an area where you can sit comfortably.

Maya

So next we need to choose an injection site. Both the stomach and thigh are acceptable except for the 5 centimeters or 2 inches around your belly button.

When I give the injection to my daughter Emily, it’s ok to inject into the outer area of the upper arm. However, that injection site is only okay because I’m giving the injection to her, not if I’m injecting myself. Oh, and don’t forget to choose a different site each time you inject DUPIXENT. That’s important!

• Do not inject through clothes
• Do not inject into skin that is tender, damaged, has bruises or scars, or into areas with visible veins

Here we go, Step 2! Prep the injection area.

Clean the skin with the alcohol wipe. Wipe in a circular motion, moving from the outside to the inside. Do not touch the injection site again or blow on it before the injection. Let your skin dry before injection.

Ok, are you ready for this? Next step is the actual injection. You’ve got this!

Maya

Step 3. The injection.

Pick up the pen by holding the middle of the pen body with the needle pointing away from you. With your other hand, pull the cap straight off.

Once you have removed the cap, do not put it back on.

• Do not twist the cap off
• Do not remove the cap until you are ready to inject
• Do not press or touch the needle cover with your fingers
• Do not try to put the cap back on once you’ve removed it

Now, place the needle cover on the skin at approximately a 90-degree angle. Make sure you can see the injection window. You’ll want to watch the window turn yellow as you give the injection.

Pinch a fold of skin at the injection site before and during the injection. The Needle Cover should be placed on the skin at approximately a 90-degree angle.

You’ll want to pinch a fold of skin regardless of which injection site you choose – the thigh or stomach, except for the 2 inches or 5 centimeters around the belly button, or the outer area of the upper arm.

Pinching the skin is not needed for adults and children aged 12 years and older. Though, in children 12 years of age and older, it’s recommended DUPIXENT be administered by or under supervision of an adult.

Take a deep breath.

Press down and hold the pen firmly against the skin until you can no longer see the needle cover. It disappears up into the pen itself. When you hear a “click” you know the injection has begun. It can take up to 15 seconds in total.

As you hold the pen firmly, all the way down against your skin, the injector window will start to turn yellow. Make sure you watch that window turn completely yellow.

• Be sure to watch the window turn completely yellow.

You will hear a second “click”. After the window had turned completely yellow, keep the pen pressed down on your skin as you count to five to ensure you are getting a full dose of DUPIXENT. After that, you can lift the pen straight up off the skin.

• Keep the pen pressed against your skin as you count to 5 to ensure you are getting a full dose of DUPIXENT

That’s it, the injection’s over. You did it!

If the window doesn’t turn completely yellow, or if it looks like medicine is still coming out of the pen, you may not have received a full dose. Throw away (dispose of) the pen and reach out to your healthcare provider right away. Do not give yourself a second dose without speaking to your healthcare provider.

Lightly press a cotton ball or gauze on the injection site if you see any blood. I rarely do, but I always keep an eye out for it. If you are bleeding, you could always cover the site with a bandage. And if the bleeding doesn’t stop, contact your healthcare provider.

• Do not rub your skin after the injection.

Here’s where that Sharps disposal container comes into play. Be sure to put the used pen and its cap into your puncture-resistant Sharps disposal container right away after use.

• Do not reuse the pre-filled pen
• Do not dispose of pre-filled pens in your household trash
• Do not recycle your used puncture-resistant container
• Keep your Sharps disposal container out of the reach of children.

Ok, that was my injection! Now let’s show you how I give my daughter Emily an injection of DUPIXENT under the skin.

Maya

I prefer the comfort of our living room couch, but Emily likes to receive her injections in the playroom. To be honest, I do too. She can play a game or read a book while I give her the injection.

We’ve already gathered our materials, let the DUPIXENT pre-filled pen warm at room temperature and washed our hands. Let’s find a comfy spot in the playroom to inject.

I’m going to inject into Emily’s arm this time, but last time I injected into her thigh. Next time, I’ll inject into her other arm. It’s important to mix up the injection sites! Always choose a different site each time you inject DUPIXENT.

Do not inject through clothes. Do not inject into skin that is tender, damaged, has bruises or scars, or into areas with visible veins.

• Do not inject through clothes
• Do not inject into skin that is tender, damaged, has bruises or scars, or into areas with visible veins

If you’re not comfortable with giving an injection to someone, you could always ask your child’s school nurse to help out. Before I was ready, Nurse Maggie administered the injections according to the dosing regimen prescribed by Emily’s doctor for an entire school year.

Maya

Now, let’s clean the area with the alcohol wipe. Do not touch the site or blow on it before the injection. I’ll let Emily’s skin dry before I inject her.

Pick up the pen by holding the middle of the pen body with the needle pointing away from you. With your other hand, pull the cap straight off.

Once you have removed the cap, do not put it back on.

• Do not twist the cap off
• Do not remove the cap until you are ready to inject
• Do not press or touch the needle cover with your fingers
• Do not try to put the cap back on once you’ve removed it

Now, place the needle cover on the skin at approximately a 90-degree angle. Make sure you can see the injection window. You’ll want to watch the window turn yellow as you give the injection.

Take a deep breath Emily. You’ve got this.

Press down and hold the pen firmly against the skin until you can no longer see the needle cover. It disappears up into the pen itself. When you hear a “click” you know the injection has begun. It can take up to 15 seconds in total.

As you hold the pen firmly, all the way down against the skin, the injector window will start to turn yellow. Make sure you watch that window turn completely yellow.

• Be sure to watch the window turn completely yellow

After you have heard a second “click” and the window has turned completely yellow, keep the pen pressed against the skin and slowly count to five. This helps to ensure you are giving a full dose of DUPIXENT. After that, you can lift the pen straight up off the skin.

• Keep the pen pressed against the skin as you count to five to ensure you are giving a full dose of DUPIXENT

That’s it, the injection’s over. You did it!

Remember, if the window does not turn completely yellow, or if it looks like medicine is still coming out of the pen, you may not have received a full dose. Dispose of (throw away) the pen and contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not give a second dose without speaking to your healthcare provider.

Lightly press a cotton ball or gauze on the injection site if you see any blood. If you are bleeding you could always cover the site with a bandage. And if the bleeding doesn’t stop, contact your healthcare provider.

• Do not rub the skin after the injection.

Be sure to put the used pen and its cap into a puncture-resistant Sharps disposal container right away after use.

• Do not reuse the pre-filled pen
• Do not dispose of pre-filled pens in your household trash
• Do not recycle your used puncture-resistant container
• Keep your Sharps disposal container out of the reach of children.

Follow your local guidelines and ask your healthcare provider for the appropriate way to dispose of the container once it is full.

And don’t forget to keep track of your injection date and site. We’ve got a weekly planner that helps us keep track. Others use digital calendars or white boards. Whatever helps you remember to take your DUPIXENT injection.

Maya

Thank you for joining us today. Remember, you can re-watch this video as often as you like to refresh your memory. Contact your healthcare provider or DUPIXENT MyWay with questions.