Dupilumab and Itching: What Users Say

• Ecz...
• February 11, 2020

For Eczema "I've had mild eczema since I was 11. My symptoms flared in my early 20s, but rather than look at my stress levels, I was prescribed the strongest newest drug on the market. I agreed to try it. Before even going on the drug, my increased eczema symptoms went away after I removed myself from an extremely stressful place. But I thought I should still try the drug. It helped at first, until I got flares around my mouth. Then my eyesight was affected. I quit after 6 months. Since quitting, I've had the worst eczema symptoms of my life. It affects my whole body. It used to only affect small, isolated areas. I blame Dupixent. I do not believe this drug is fully understood. I sincerely hope this is rare, but it should be noted that before using Dupixent and after using Dupixent, my eczema symptoms are extremely different. I never used to itch, and now I suffer from itch. I never had it all over, now it affects every part of my body. I have been off the drug for a year and I am still struggling."

• Nic...
• February 21, 2020

For Eczema "I was one of the first to be put on Dupixent when it was approved - back in June of 2018. It worked very well for quite a while. I had severe eczema on the back of my neck, elbows, back of knees, and around my eyes. It cleared up pretty quickly after using Dupixent for a couple of months. Now, however, for about the last 2 months, I have experienced the side effect on my eyes. My eyelids are constantly red, inflamed, and itchy. My eyes are constantly tearing. My dermatologist gave me a prescription eye drop to take - it has not worked. He said he does not think it is a side effect of Dupixent, that he believes it is simply an eczema flare-up, possibly due to the weather in New Jersey. The Dupixent people disagree - they think it is a side effect of Dupixent. So my dilemma is - do I stay on Dupixent and continue the eye problems or go off Dupixent. To be perfectly honest - the last month or so, it seems the Dupixent has not been working as well."

• Ser...
• November 14, 2018

For Eczema "I used Dupixent for a little over 4 months. It cleared my skin completely. The skin on my body was baby soft, and itching became occasional (like a normal person). Prior to Dupixent, my skin was rashy, red, cracked, weeping, itching, burning, with raw spots, almost everywhere since birth to 27. I discontinued Dupixent, got conjunctivitis twice, and got eczema on my face where I had never had it before. My eyes were itchy, dry, red, and I was scared the moisture would never be restored. I also developed sores around my mouth, which was the last straw. I’m in marketing, and I need to look nice for work. I’m back to eczema everywhere and treating with tubs of steroid ointment... praying for those who understand."

• Scr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 5, 2019

For Eczema "I am a female and have had eczema off and on since I was a child. I am now a much 'older' woman and during the past couple of years, I've had constant eczema flare-ups around my eyes and eyelids, face, and neck. Only Cortizone shots or Prednisone help to abate for a few days then the eczema comes right back! I've been getting allergy shots for almost a year now with no relief from my eczema or my other allergies. So my doctor has now prescribed the drug Dupixent... I had my first shots 5 days ago and my eczema has been itching even worse than before!!! Has anybody experienced such a situation? I am at my wit's end!... Help!!!"

• JJa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 5, 2019

For Eczema "This drug worked amazingly for 6 months. I felt like a normal human. It worked so well! However, after 6 months, I started getting horrible burning painful blotches on my neck at first. Then on my face. Then on my inner elbows. It hurt really bad. If I wore a long sleeve shirt to hide it, it would ache in pain. I decided to stop the drug as an experiment to see if it was caused by the drug. My dermatologist said no, that it’s just an eczema flare. He didn’t really seem to have the time of day to listen to my concerns. He would just brush it off. After 3 months of stopping Dupixent, my skin went back to the regular eczema that I was used to. I felt itchy again, which was annoying, but the horrible painful blotchy skin was gone from my face and neck. I waited a year before I decided to try Dupixent again. I tried it, and it worked, but not as effectively as when I first tried it. Again, I started getting burning blotchy skin around my neck and face. It hurts, burns, and aches. I decided to stop again."

• Mic...
• January 22, 2019

For Atopic Dermatitis "Took the loading dose of 600 mg, and my eyes got red, itchy, and puffy. Advised my dermatologist, and he gave me a Rx for an eyedrop called Bepahamide. This is a combination of steroid (prednisolone) and antibiotic in one eye drop. Both eyes, twice a day for 10 days. Eyes got a little better. Took the second dose (300 mg). Eyes got worse. Went back to the dermatologist, and he gave a second course of the same eye drop with no improvement. Went to my ophthalmologist. He did a complete eye exam. The ophthalmologist had to look up Dupixent when I told him it was one of the side effects of this medication. He suggested an antihistamine OTC eye drop called Zantidor. Been using Zantidor, and still, my eyes have not cleared. Saw noticeable improvement in my skin after the first 2 doses, but unfortunately, stopped using Dupixent due to severe eye irritation. Now what? My eyes aren't getting better, and the dermatologist has gone back to topical corticosteroid. Can someone please tell me what to do about my eyes?"

• Soc...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 21, 2017

For Eczema "I did the study for this drug, all 3 phases, and have been on it since 2015. I never dreamed it would actually work. It works amazingly. I had to stop for the transition once the FDA approved this, and oh my God, I wake up all hours of the night itching, I get hot and itch. I am finally taking it again. I can't imagine my life without this stuff."

• Jam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 19, 2019

For Atopic Dermatitis "37, male, Asian, suffered from atopic dermatitis for 20 yrs. I took Dupixent over 6 months and having trouble now. I felt my atopic problem went away for the first 2 months (I took 3 shots for the 1st month and 2 shots from the 2nd month). As noticed side effect, my eyes got dry and itchy, which is still bearable. What I think is a problem for now is the red skin syndrome. This started around the eyes and now spread under the neck-now to shoulder. The red spots make white skin flake and hurt when the flake is removed and look wrinkled. Now I'm considering stopping this medication and returning to other treatments."

• Cha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 10, 2019

For Eczema "I’m 25 years old. I have had severe eczema since I was 18 months old. I was placed in multiple studies for new medications when they came out (ex. Protopic), which worked for a couple of years and then I built a tolerance and my skin got worse. Off and on steroids pretty much every month. I tried Dupixent for about 4 months, late 2017-2018. It cleared my skin completely, no restless nights, no scratching, no bleeding. It was perfect!! Until my eyes started flaring up. I don’t have perfect vision anymore, and the doctor suggested I get off the medicine in order to save my sight. I’ve been off of this medicine for about a year and a half. My skin is much worse now, and I'm contemplating going back on this medicine but staying in close contact with my eye doctor. I’m losing sleep again due to scratching and always exhausted. My skin is miserable and hurts to the touch, so I think it might be worth trying again."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2018

For Eczema "My first few doses were helping a lot, taking the itch away and clearing my skin. My 4th dose made my eyes very red, my dermatologist referred me to an ophthalmologist to check the pressure in my eyes. Pressure was okay, only some inflammation in the whites of my eyes. So I continued the Dupixent injections, red eyes and all, then I started getting small, red, pimple-like spots on my face along with redness. When my joints started aching after the 6th dose, I stopped Dupixent. It has been approximately 2 months, and the redness on my face is finally going away, my eyes cleared right after stopping Dupixent. I seem to think the dose was too strong for me. But there’s only 1 strength. I’m still itching and having breakouts and don’t know what to do at this point as nothing seems to work."

• SWG...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 16, 2019

For Eczema "I just wanted to say that you need to give the Dupixent the full 16 weeks. I almost stopped. At the beginning, my head was so hot I started buying new pillows. My face turned pink. The itch subsided pretty quickly, then the body. Face and head took longer. I had a flare on my wrist that I tried to get rid of for 3 years! That is now a lot better at 16 weeks with spot treating. I still use a bit of Scalpicin once in a while. But the Dupixent definitely takes the edge off. I find if you just place the needle, it slips in by itself. You don’t have to stab yourself. Good luck."

• CCH...
• May 3, 2017

For Eczema "I have had eczema for my whole life. I am a woman in my mid-40s. It seems to be mainly stress-related and has been fairly awful the past 10 years. I stopped Kenalog shots about 6 years ago, my eyesight and joints were suffering. The past 6 years have been hell. My allergist helped get me this drug and even worked with the pharm rep to get a coupon for zero co-pay (using commercial insurance). I am thrilled to have had my first 300 dose just a few days ago. Within hours, my skin felt softer. I have read all the studies and it appears you will see max results between 30-45 days, so I will come back and write more. I do see my eczema clearing up -- I am very flaky on my face right now, so that is itchy, but the intense itch seems to have subsided."

• Mik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 29, 2019

For Asthma, Maintenance "Lifelong asthma sufferer. It is not at all well controlled unless I take loads of steroid shots. I started Dupixent just about 2 months ago. It does seem to help my asthma quite a bit. However, after about 6 weeks, I started getting itchiness on my chest and now has spread to my whole upper torso. It is pretty intense itching, without any rash at least so far. I have trouble sleeping, and topical steroid just seems to tick it off. I am torn between the itching and improvement in the asthma. I wonder if the itching will subside over time or if I should just cut Dupixent now."

• San...
• August 24, 2018

For Eczema "I was put on Dupixent in August of 2017. My dermatologist mentioned I would be the first patient she used it on. Two weeks in, I immediately noticed an improvement in my skin. My eczema flare-up covered my entire body, which I've never experienced before. The side effects mentioned to me were itchy eyes, conjunctivitis, cold sores. I stopped the Dupixent in October of 2017, so I took it for about 2 months, 4 injections in total. I decided to stop as I began to feel my lips forming a cold sore and my eyes were terribly itchy. While on Dupixent, the itch it caused my eyes was unbearable. In May of 2018, I visited my ophthalmologist again because my vision was slowly getting worse. There, I was diagnosed with having keratoconus, which is a condition where the eye is no longer round but bulging. This was said to be caused by excessive rubbing of the eye. There is no cure for this eye condition, just treatment. Your vision is constantly changing; I mean changing by the week."

• Tam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 1, 2020

For Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps "I’ve dealt with nasal polyps for 7 years. In the fall of 2019, I came across an article about Dupixent. I asked my ENT about it and have been on it since. I feel like a new person. Once in a while, I can feel the polyps, but I’ve had my smell and taste all year! It’s amazing and has changed my life. The only side effect I have experienced is some itching on my shins and calves."

• Too...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 29, 2017

For Atopic Dermatitis "Started on Dupixent six weeks ago. Skin cleared up, itching was reduced 85%, big relief, but within two weeks after my first dose, my eyes started to bother me. Itching, swelling, redness, dry eye, conjunctivitis. Way too many adverse side effects. Med does good, but has alarming bad side effects to the eyes. Went to Dr., told me to stop taking shots."

• A_C...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 20, 2023

For Prurigo Nodularis "I was diagnosed with prurigo nodularis recently, and after my doctor tried all options and nothing worked, he had me try Dupixent. I was hopeful and have been on the shots for 3 months. I have seen some improvement with it clearing, or it tends to clear quicker than before, but after each injection, I started noticing different things such as my nose would bleed, which has never happened, which led to serious inflammation and scabs inside my nose, continuously stuffy as if I have a cold. I was tired shortly after my injection, and the following day, I've had constant headaches, itchy, scratchy eyes. I developed a rash on the behind that was extremely painful and odd, and I've had a lot of muscle aches and generally don't feel good at all. Dupixent is not for me, and I have stopped treatment."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 8, 2019

For Eczema "I’ve had eczema all my life, and it recently started getting so bad over the summer. I itch severely when my body temp increases. I went on antibiotics all the time just to get rid of the flare-ups until my dermatologist told me about Dupixent. I have seen such a dramatic change. It is so amazing to not be itchy every single minute of the day and to have such clear skin on my body. It only started working after two shots, but wow, it is amazing. I thank Dupixent every day for feeling confident in my skin again."

• RJG...
• May 30, 2017

For Atopic Dermatitis "I have been on Dupixent for 4 weeks. My skin began to clear up after two weeks and now is nearly completely cleared up. Itching is another problem. It is now starting to stop. So, so far I'm pleased. My only worry is how long I have to be on Dupixent. It has been hard to get an answer-my doctor said one year, but in another place, I read that I'll always be on it."

• Sam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 3, 2020

For Atopic Dermatitis "Definitely wasn’t what I was hoping for. Have seen skin about 25-30% clearer. Extremely dry face, about the same as before. I still get rashes on my back off and on. Neck is still inflamed regularly. Been on for about 8 months now. Have a flare-up right before the shot, and it never seems to take effect for at least 2 days after. I will clear up slightly for a few days, then I will go back to a whole body rash. Itching hasn’t been relieved much at all. It’s an okay alternative to other drugs and worth the attempt, but it doesn’t work great for me. Wish everyone luck."

• hey...
• October 25, 2019

For Atopic Dermatitis "I've now been on Dupixent for 6 months. Starting last March, I was not only getting my usual eczema, but I was also getting welts and contact dermatitis for unknown reasons. I was literally up all night itching, and showers were excruciating. I decided to go on Dupixent because topical treatments were no longer working for me. Within the first month on Dupixent, my body was basically clear, and my itch had drastically decreased. However, within about 3 months, I did begin to notice some uniquely looking rashes on my face and around my eyes. Fast forward to 6 months later, and my eyes are indeed watery and itchy like others have mentioned, but it's not totally unbearable yet. I got in contact with my dermatologist, and he said that there is a theory that Dupixent basically uncovers an allergy to ingredients that are commonly present in cosmetics and lotions. I'm not quite ready to give up on Dupixent yet, as it's greatly improved my quality of life in other ways."

• Pos...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 21, 2019

For Eczema "After only 6 shots, I had no flare-ups and felt great! But, 2 weeks after my 6th shot, my eyes started pouring water, itching like crazy, very irritated and red. As I've never in my life had that occur, I can only attribute it to Dupixent, especially after reading up on it some more and reading people's reviews with the same side effect. It has been 2 months since I've had a shot, and my eyes are not any better, despite prescription drops, allergy tablets, etc."

• Sus...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 9, 2019

For Atopic Dermatitis "I was on Dupixent for one year, and at the beginning, I had itchy, red, very dry eyes. Then I later developed extreme joint pain in my knees and ankles, but I cleared up my skin. It looked great for a year until I realized my aches and pains were due to the Dupixent. Also, weight gain. I got off of it, and now my rashes are starting to come back, but it's just not worth the side effects that Dupixent gave me. I'm not willing to go back on Dupixent."

• CRY...
• August 24, 2019

For Eczema "I had an onset of eczema a year ago that started small but kept spreading badly. Nothing helped much except prednisone and cyclosporine. Even the cyclosporine started not to work 100%. My doctor suggested Dupixent. I have been on it for three months. My rash with bumps went away, however, it was replaced with flat, patchy red skin spots that burn and can itch. For the most part, in the same areas my previous rashes were: face, neck, chest, stomach, and arms. The severity seems to go up and down as far as how bad they are. For some reason, it’s worse than ever, and those patches are noticeable. Not sure if my body is still getting used to it, or it’s not going to work fully. I still prefer this over the other eczema rashes and itching, but it just seems to be worse. Still going to continue it and pray it completely clears up. Not sure if anyone else has this? My eyes are definitely itchy and can burn, but I already had been on prescription eyedrops for allergies that seem to help."

• CCH...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 26, 2017

For Eczema "I wrote back in May and wanted to follow up since it has now been 4 months. My allergist was a bit disappointed as I still have some eczema -- I am about 70 percent clearer. I haven't been using any steroid creams, so maybe with those, we would see better results. I did go through a crazy flaky period on my face, scalp, and arms. I finally used some tar shampoo and tea tree oil to get through that, it lasted a good 8 to 10 weeks. My skin does feel much softer, my husband has commented several times. I think the most noticeable thing for me is the itch is gone. That alone is worth the shots to me. I wish I had better luck with clearer skin. We don't realize how much we scratch ourselves without even thinking until we stop."