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SUPPORT CENTER
HOW TO INJECT DUPIXENT
WITH A PRE-FILLED SYRINGE 
- Talk to your/your child’s doctor, and download the Instructions for Use for information on preparing, injecting, proper storage, and disposal of used DUPIXENT Pre-filled Syringes or Pre-filled Pens.
- If your doctor decides you/your caregiver can give the DUPIXENT injections, you/your caregiver should receive proper training on preparing and injecting.
- Do not try to inject DUPIXENT until you’ve been properly trained by your healthcare provider.
- In children 12 years of age and older, it is recommended that 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.
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.
DUPIXENT is not approved for patients under 18 years of age with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis or prurigo nodularis. The 200 mg dose is not approved for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis, eosinophilic esophagitis, or prurigo nodularis.
Watch Full Demonstration
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.
Anthony
When I heard DUPIXENT was an injection, I was concerned on how I would handle injections and doing it myself.
Sharron
Over time I've definitely gotten more used to taking DUPIXENT. It's a part of my life, just like going to the doctor.
Christy
At first my daughter Jolene wasn't thrilled at the idea of receiving an injectable medication so we sat down and we talked about and we weighed our options. Jolene thought about it and she said "you know what mommy, I really want to try DUPIXENT, let's move forward."
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.
- Your device may appear different than what you see in this video, based on your prescribed dose.
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.
Rachael
I was really blown away by how much support the DUPIXENT MyWay team provides. You feel that they're in this with you, and they're there to help
Michael
(Laughing) It's time to take our DUPIXENT injection!
Stephanie
I'm ready!
Michael
Feel free to watch us.
First, let's take the medication out of the refrigerator.
- Keep the pre-filled syringe and all medicines out of the reach of children
- Keep unused pre-filled syringes 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 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.
- Do not inject DUPIXENT if the liquid is discolored or cloudy, or contains visible flakes or particles
- Do not use the pre-filled syringe if it has been dropped on a hard surface or is damaged
- Do not use the pre-filled syringe if the needle 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 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).
- Do not store DUPIXENT pre-filled syringes 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 syringe from the refrigerator, it must be used within 14 days or thrown away (disposed of)
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.
- Do not freeze or heat the pre-filled syringe
- Do not put the pre-filled syringe into direct sunlight
- Do not shake the pre-filled syringe at any time
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.
- 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.
Sharron
I like to do my self-injection in the evening, in a quiet part of the house where I can focus.
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!
- 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!
Max
I prefer a self-injection just because I feel like it's more controlled when I do it.
Debbie
My husband went with me to the doctor so that we could both be trained on the proper way to inject it and I'm just really proud that I can do it because I never thought that I would be a person that could do an injection.
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.
- Do not twist the needle cap off
- Do not remove the needle cap until you are ready to inject
- Do not touch the needle
- Do not try to put the needle cap back on once you've removed it
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.
- Do not pull back on the plunger rod at any time
- Do not put the needle cap back on
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.
- Do not rub your skin after the injection
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.
- Do not reuse the pre-filled syringe
- Do not dispose of pre-filled syringes 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 Stephanie an injection of DUPIXENT under the skin.
Annie
I prefer assisted injection because I get a little squeamish around needles, I don't want to look at it, I don't want to touch it. It's just not something I'm comfortable with so I'd rather have somebody else do that.
Ore
I feel like one day I will do it myself but I think right now, assisted injection is better.
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.
- 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 Stephanie's doctor for an entire school year.
Yetunde
Ora's dermatologist trained us on how to do the injection under the skin, and then when we contacted DUPIXENT MyWay they sent a nurse to the house to give additional training to make sure that we were comfortable giving the injection.
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.
- Do not twist the needle cap off
- Do not remove the needle cap until you are ready to inject
- Do not touch the needle
- Do not try to put the needle cap back on once you've removed it
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.
- Do not pull back on the plunger rod at any time
- Do not put the needle cap back on
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.
- Do not rub the skin after the injection.
Be sure to put the used syringe and its cap into a puncture-resistant Sharps disposal container right away after use.
- Do not re-use the pre-filled syringe
- Do not dispose of pre-filled syringes 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 a white board or chalk board. Whatever helps you remember to take your DUPIXENT injection.
Rachael
I write DUPIXENT on my calendar at home and in my pocket calendar to help me remember when to take it. I've got my self injection routine down. I'm comfortable with it.
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:
- have eye problems
- have a parasitic (helminth) infection
- are scheduled to receive any vaccinations. You should not receive a “live vaccine” right before and during treatment with DUPIXENT.
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether DUPIXENT will harm your unborn baby.
- A pregnancy registry for women who take DUPIXENT during pregnancy collects information about the health of you and your baby. To enroll or get more information call 1-877-311-8972 or go to https://mothertobaby.org/ongoing-study/dupixent/.
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known whether DUPIXENT passes into your breast milk.
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 polyposis, eosinophilic esophagitis, or 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:
- Allergic reactions. DUPIXENT can cause allergic reactions that can sometimes be severe. Stop using DUPIXENT and tell your healthcare provider or get emergency help right away if you get any of the following signs or symptoms: breathing problems or wheezing, swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat, fainting, dizziness, feeling lightheaded, fast pulse, fever, hives, joint pain, general ill feeling, itching, skin rash, swollen lymph nodes, nausea or vomiting, or cramps in your stomach-area.
- Eye problems. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new or worsening eye problems, including eye pain or changes in vision, such as blurred vision. Your healthcare provider may send you to an ophthalmologist for an exam if needed.
- Inflammation of your blood vessels. Rarely, this can happen in people with asthma who receive DUPIXENT. This may happen in people who also take a steroid medicine by mouth that is being stopped or the dose is being lowered. It is not known whether this is caused by DUPIXENT. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have: rash, chest pain, worsening shortness of breath, a feeling of pins and needles or numbness of your arms or legs, or persistent fever.
- Joint aches and pain. Some people who use DUPIXENT have had trouble walking or moving due to their joint symptoms, and in some cases needed to be hospitalized. Tell your healthcare provider about any new or worsening joint symptoms. Your healthcare provider may stop DUPIXENT if you develop joint symptoms.
The most common side effects include:
- Eczema: injection site reactions, eye and eyelid inflammation, including redness, swelling, and itching, sometimes with blurred vision, and cold sores in your mouth or on your lips, and high count of a certain white blood cell (eosinophilia).
- Asthma: injection site reactions, high count of a certain white blood cell (eosinophilia), pain in the throat (oropharyngeal pain), and parasitic (helminth) infections.
- Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyposis: injection site reactions, eye and eyelid inflammation, including redness, swelling, and itching, sometimes with blurred vision, high count of a certain white blood cell (eosinophilia), gastritis, joint pain (arthralgia), trouble sleeping (insomnia), and toothache.
- Eosinophilic Esophagitis: injection site reactions, upper respiratory tract infections, cold sores in your mouth or on your lips, and joint pain (arthralgia).
- Prurigo Nodularis: eye and eyelid inflammation, including redness, swelling, and itching, sometimes with blurred vision, herpes virus infections, common cold symptoms (nasopharyngitis), dizziness, muscle pain, and diarrhea.
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:
- to treat adults and children 6 months of age and older with moderate-to-severe eczema (atopic dermatitis or AD) that is not well controlled with prescription therapies used on the skin (topical), or who cannot use topical therapies. DUPIXENT can be used with or without topical corticosteroids. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with atopic dermatitis under 6 months of age.
- 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.
- with other medicines for the maintenance treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) in adults whose disease is not controlled. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis under 18 years of age.
- to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older, who weigh at least 88 pounds (40 kg), with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with eosinophilic esophagitis under 12 years of age and who weigh at least 88 pounds (40 kg).
- to treat adults with prurigo nodularis (PN). It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with prurigo nodularis under 18 years of age.
See step-by-step instructions
Remove the DUPIXENT Syringe from the carton by holding the middle of the Syringe Body.
- Do not pull off the Needle Cap until you are ready to inject.
- Do not use the DUPIXENT Syringe if it has been dropped on a hard surface or damaged.
Ensure you have the following:
- DUPIXENT Pre-filled Syringe
- 1 alcohol wipe*
- 1 cotton ball or gauze*
- Sharps Disposal Container* (See Step 13)
*Items not included in the carton
When you receive your DUPIXENT Syringes, always check to see that:
- You have the correct medicine and dose.
- The expiration date on the Single-Dose Pre-filled Syringe has not passed.
- Do not use the DUPIXENT Syringe if the expiration date has passed.
- Look at the medicine through the Viewing Window on the DUPIXENT Syringe: Check to see if the liquid is clear and colorless to pale yellow.
- Note: You may see an air bubble, this is normal.
- Do not use the DUPIXENT Syringe if the liquid is discolored or cloudy, or if it contains visible flakes or particles.
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 dose.
- Do not heat the DUPIXENT Syringe.
- Do not put the DUPIXENT Syringe into direct sunlight.
- Do not keep DUPIXENT Syringes at room temperature for more than 14 days. Throw away (dispose of) any DUPIXENT Syringes that have been left at room temperature for longer than 14 days.
- You can inject into your thigh or stomach, except for the 2 inches (5 cm) around your belly button (navel).
- If a caregiver injects your dose, they can also use the outer area of the upper arm.
- Choose a different site each time you inject DUPIXENT.
- Do not inject into skin that is tender, damaged, bruised, or scarred.
- Wash your hands.
- Clean the injection site with an alcohol wipe.
- Let your skin dry before injecting.
- Do not touch the injection site again or blow on it before the injection.
- Hold the DUPIXENT Syringe in the middle of the Syringe Body with the Needle pointing away from you and pull off the Needle Cap.
- Do not put the Needle Cap back on.
- Do not touch the Needle.
- Inject your medicine right away after removing the Needle Cap.
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.
- Insert the Needle completely into the fold of the skin at about a 45-degree angle.
- Relax the pinch.
- Push the Plunger Rod down slowly and steadily as far as it will go, until the DUPIXENT Syringe is empty.
- Note: You will feel some resistance. This is normal.
- Lift your thumb to release the Plunger Rod until the Needle is covered by the Needle Shield, and then remove the Syringe from the injection site.
- Lightly press a cotton ball or gauze on the injection site if you see any blood.
- Do not put the Needle Cap back on.
- Do not rub your skin after the injection.
- Put your used Needles, DUPIXENT Syringes, and Needle Caps in an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container right away after use.
- Do not dispose of (throw away) Needles, DUPIXENT Syringes, and Needle Caps in your household trash.
- If you do not have an FDA-cleared sharps disposal container, you may use a household container that is:
- Made of a heavy-duty plastic,
- Can be closed with a tight-fitting, puncture-resistant lid, without sharps being able to come out,
- Upright and stable during use,
- Leak-resistant, and
- Properly labeled to warn of hazardous waste inside the container
- When your sharps disposal container is almost full, you will need to follow your community guidelines for the right way to dispose of your sharps disposal container. There may be state or local laws about how you should throw away used Needles and Syringes.
- For more information about safe sharps disposal and for specific information about sharps disposal in the state that you live in, go to the FDA’s website at http://www.fda.gov/safesharpsdisposal.
- Do not dispose of your used sharps disposal container in your household trash unless your community guidelines permit this. Do not recycle your used sharps disposal container.
- Do not put the Needle Cap back on.