Return TO INJECTION
SUPPORT CENTER
Use DUPIXENT exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor will tell you how much DUPIXENT to inject and how often to inject it. DUPIXENT is available as a single dose in a pre-filled syringe (200 mg or 300 mg) with needle shield.
The pre-filled syringe how-to video below is divided into chapters to help you navigate information and
injection steps. Watch the video in full or select a specific chapter from the list on the right.
Michael
Hi, I'm Michael, and you'll meet my daughter Stephanie in just a few minutes.
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.
Michael
So we follow three basic steps for either self-injecting, or giving an injection to someone. I'll give you the important details later on in this video, but here are the basics.
One - gather your materials. You'll need things like your DUPIXENT pre-filled syringe, an alcohol wipe, a cotton ball or gauze, and your Sharps Disposal Container.
Two - Prep the injection area. Which includes cleaning it really well with the alcohol wipe.
And Three - inject and dispose of the single-dose, pre-filled syringe. 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 syringe.
The steps for injecting yourself with the DUPIXENT single-dose pre-filled syringe 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 and Stephanie with the 300mg syringe. If you've been prescribed the 200mg syringe, the device will appear different than what you see in this video. If you have any questions about the dosage prescribed, please contact your healthcare provider.
Let's take a closer look at the pre-filled syringe. I found it helpful to familiarize myself with the different parts of the pre-filled syringe, like the plunger rod, the viewing window, the needle shield, the needle and the needle cap, before handling the pre-filled syringe itself.
Contact your healthcare provider or DUPIXENT MyWay with questions. They're always there to help.
First, let's take the medication out of the refrigerator.
Next, let's remove the DUPIXENT "Instructions for Use" from the packaging. You'll want to read this completely before using the pre-filled syringe. I like to keep it open and nearby when injecting for reference.
Done reading? Good!
Now let's take one syringe out of the packaging by holding the middle of the syringe 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 syringe.
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 syringe, 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 syringe on a flat surface and let it naturally warm at a room temperature of less than 77°F (25°C).
The recommended warming time for the 200mg syringe is 30 minutes. And for the 300mg syringe, it's 45 minutes.
Here's a few more helpful tips about the DUPIXENT pre-filled syringe.
As the syringe 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 syringe 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.
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.
Michael
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 Stephanie, 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!
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!
Michael
Step 3. The injection.
Pick up the syringe by holding the middle of the syringe body with the needle pointing away from you. With your other hand, pull the needle cap off.
Once you have removed the cap, do not put it back on.
Pinch a fold of skin at the injection site.
Take a deep breath.
Insert the needle completely into the fold of skin at about a 45 degree angle. Now, relax the pinch slightly.
Push the plunger rod down slowly and steadily as far as it will go until the DUPIXENT syringe is empty. A little resistance is normal.
Once the plunger rod is down as far as it will go, lift your thumb to release the plunger rod until the needle is covered by the needle shield. Then remove the syringe from the injection site.
That's it, the injection's over. You did it!
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.
Here's where that Sharps disposal container comes into play. Be sure to put the used syringe and its cap into your puncture-resistant Sharps disposal container right away after use.
Ok, that was my injection! Now let's show you how I give my daughter Stephanie an injection of DUPIXENT under the skin.
Michael
I prefer the comfort of our living room couch, but Stephanie likes to receive her injections in the playroom. To be honest, dad does too. She can play with a toy and be distracted while I give her the injection.
We've already gathered our materials, let the DUPIXENT pre-filled syringe warm at room temperature and washed our hands. Let's find a comfy spot in the playroom to inject.
Cut to Michael and Stephanie entering the playroom. Stephanie sits down and begins reading a book. Michael sets the syringe and items needed to inject onto a small table nearby. He opens up the IFU lays it out on the table for reference.
I'm going to inject into Stephanie'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.
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 Stephanie's doctor for an entire school year.
Michael
Now, let's clean the area with the alcohol wipe. Do not touch the site or blow on it before the injection. We'll let Stephanie's skin dry before we inject.
Pick up the syringe by holding the middle of the syringe body with the needle pointing away from you. With your other hand, pull the needle cap off.
Once you have removed the cap, do not put it back on.
Pinch a fold of skin at the injection site.
Take a deep breath, Stephanie. You've got this.
Insert the needle completely into the fold of skin at about a 45-degree angle. Now, relax the pinch slightly.
Push the plunger rod down slowly and steadily as far as it will go until the DUPIXENT syringe is empty. A little resistance is normal.
Once the plunger rod is down as far as it will go, lift your thumb to release the plunger rod until the needle is covered by the needle shield. Then remove the syringe from the injection site.
That's it, the injection's over. You did it!
Lightly press a cotton ball or gauze on the injection site if you see any blood. You can also cover the site with a bandage. If the bleeding doesn't stop, contact your healthcare provider.
Be sure to put the used syringe and its cap into a puncture-resistant Sharps disposal container right away after use.
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 a white board or chalk board. Whatever helps you remember to take your DUPIXENT injection.
Michael
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.
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; have asthma and use an asthma medicine; or have atopic dermatitis, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, eosinophilic esophagitis, prurigo nodularis and also have asthma. 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 include:
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 months to less than 12 years of age, DUPIXENT should be given by a caregiver.
Please see accompanying adjacent links for full Prescribing Information including Patient Information.
DUPIXENT is a prescription medicine used:
DUPIXENT is not used to relieve sudden breathing problems and will not replace an inhaled rescue medicine.
Remove the DUPIXENT Syringe from the carton by holding the middle of the Syringe Body.
Ensure you have the following:
*Items not included in the carton
When you receive your DUPIXENT Syringes, always check to see that:
Lay the DUPIXENT Syringe on a flat surface and let it naturally warm to room temperature for at least 45 minutes for 300 mg dose or 30 minutes for 200 mg.
Pinch a fold of skin at the injection site (thigh or stomach, except 2 inches around your belly button, or outer area of the upper arm if injected by your caregiver). The figure shows an example of pinching a fold of skin on your stomach.