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Compare Dupixent vs. Xolair

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Dupixent (dupilumab) and Xolair (omalizumab) are both injectable medications used to treat various inflammatory and allergic conditions, but they work differently and have different uses. Dupixent (dupilumab) is a monoclonal antibody that blocks proteins responsible for inflammation, making it effective for conditions like eczema, asthma, and sinus congestion with nasal polyps. It is typically injected every other week or monthly. Xolair (omalizumab), on the other hand, targets immunoglobulin E (IgE) to prevent allergic reactions and is used for allergic asthma, chronic hives, and nasal polyps. It is usually injected every 2 or 4 weeks. While Dupixent (dupilumab) is available only as a brand-name medication, Xolair (omalizumab) also does not have a generic form. Common side effects of Dupixent include injection site reactions and eye inflammation, whereas Xolair can cause headaches, stomach pain, and dizziness. Additionally, Xolair has a risk of severe allergic reactions, which is less common with Dupixent.

Dupixent (dupilumab)
Xolair (omalizumab)
Dupixent (dupilumab)
Xolair (omalizumab)
Summary of Dupixent vs. Xolair
Summary for Interleukin antagonist
Prescription only
Dupixent (dupilumab) is an injection that helps treat certain inflammatory conditions. This includes eczema, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), among others. It's a biologic medication known as an interleukin antagonist that lowers inflammation. Dupixent (dupilumab) comes as prefilled pens and prefilled syringes. It's injected under the skin of the belly or thighs (or in the back of the upper arm with someone's help). The dosing schedule depends on the condition you have, your age, and your weight. It's injected either every week, every 2 weeks, or every 4 weeks. Side effects include injection site reactions and eye problems.
Summary for Immunoglobulin E (IgE) monoclonal antibody
Prescription only
Xolair (omalizumab) is an immunoglobulin E (IgE) monoclonal antibody. It's used to treat allergic asthma, chronic urticaria (hives), and nasal polyps when first-choice options aren't enough to control the symptoms. This medication is also approved to lower the risk of severe food allergy reactions after accidental exposure to triggers. For most conditions, Xolair (omalizumab) can be used by both adults and children. It's given as an injection under the skin, typically every 2 or 4 weeks. Side effects of this medication include headache, stomach pain, and dizziness.
Indications of Dupixent vs. Xolair
Indications for

•Moderate-to-severe eczema - for people 6 months and older

•Moderate-to-severe asthma - add-on maintenance for people 6 years and older

•Long-term sinus congestion with nasal polyps - add-on maintenance for people 12 years and older

•Eosinophilic esophagitis - for people 1 year and older

•Prurigo nodularis (long-term itchy skin bumps) - for adults

•Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) - add-on maintenance for adults

•Long-term hives - for people 12 years and older

Indications for

•Moderate-to-severe allergic asthma

•Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps

•Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) (chronic hives of unknown cause)

•Lower risk of severe allergic reactions after accidental exposure to food triggers
Pros and Cons of Dupixent vs. Xolair
Pros and Const for Interleukin antagonist
Pros

•Taken every other week or monthly for most conditions

•Approved for some children (specific age depends on the condition)

•Available as prefilled pens (for people ages 2 years and older)

•Available as prefilled syringes (for people ages 6 months and older)

Cons

•Given as an injection under the skin

•Not used for helping with asthma attacks

•Can cause injection reactions, such as pain, bruising, and swelling

•Unknown if it's safe or works well while pregnant or breastfeeding

Pros and Const for Immunoglobulin E (IgE) monoclonal antibody
Pros

•Helps to prevent allergies from many different foods such as cashews, milk, and wheat

•Helps people who didn't get relief from other treatments for asthma, nasal polyps, or hives

•Only given once every 2 or 4 weeks

•Possible to give yourself injection at home

Cons

•Only given as an injection under the skin

•Has a risk of severe and life-threatening allergic reactions that can happen at any time during treatment

•Not a good choice if you have a history of cancer or have had parasitic infections

•Contains latex, which can be a problem with a latex allergy
Common Side Effects of Dupixent vs. Xolair
Common Side Effects for

•Injection site reaction (e.g., pain, swelling, bruising; 10%)

•Eye redness or eye inflammation (10%)

•Cold sores (4%)

Common Side Effects for
Allergic asthma:

•Injection site reaction (45%)

•Joint pain (8%)

•Body pain (7%)

•Leg pain (4%)

•Dizziness (3%)

•Fatigue (3%)

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps:

•Headache (8%)

•Injection site reactions (5%)

Chronic urticaria (hives):

•Headache (up to 12%)

•Common cold symptoms (up to 9%)

•Joint pain (3%)

Prevention of food allergy reactions:

•Injection-site reactions (16%)

•Fever (6%)
Warnings of Dupixent vs. Xolair
Common Side Effects for

•Allergic reactions

•Eye inflammation

•Other inflammation in the body

•Risk of worsening of breathing problems in people with asthma or COPD

•Risk of psoriasis

•Joint pain and psoriatic arthritis

•Unknown effect in people with parasitic worm infections

•Interaction with vaccines

Common Side Effects for

•Severe allergic reactions

•Not for an asthma attack

•Not for emergency treatment of severe allergic reactions

•Fever, joint pain, or rash after injection

•Cancer risk

•Inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis)

•Parasitic infections
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Key takeaways

Summary of Dupixent vs. Xolair

Indications of Dupixent vs. Xolair

Pros and Cons of Dupixent vs. Xolair

Common Side Effects of Dupixent vs. Xolair

Warnings of Dupixent vs. Xolair

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