Biologics for Eczema: What to Know About Dupixent, Adbry, and More

Topical treatments that are applied to the skin are the traditional mainstays of atopic dermatitis (eczema) treatment. But if the redness and itching become hard to relieve, there are other options you can turn to. If you have moderate-to-severe eczema, your dermatologist might suggest an injectable medication, such as a biologic. Biologics are medications that come from living sources.

A handful of biologics are available for treating moderate-to-severe eczema. They can be used alone or with topical treatments, such as corticosteroids. And one of their biggest advantages is that you don't have to use them daily — unlike many other eczema medications.

Here, we’ll discuss four biologics for eczema that are FDA approved for use.

1. Dupixent

Dupixent (dupilumab) can treat moderate-to-severe eczema symptoms in adults and kids as young as 6 months old. You can find it as a prefilled syringe and injection pen. It was also the first ever biologic approved for eczema.

Treatment with Dupixent is long-term and usually starts with a loading dose. This is followed by maintenance injections every 2 to 4 weeks, depending on factors such as age and body weight. After a healthcare professional walks you through how to use the medication, you’ll likely be able to self-administer it at home.

Another advantage is that Dupixent is FDA approved for several conditions, not just eczema. It can treat moderate-to-severe asthma, prurigo nodularis (a condition that causes intensely itchy skin bumps), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and more

This under-the-skin injection relieves itching and inflammation by blocking two key proteins involved in eczema-associated inflammation: interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13).

Some people receiving Dupixent have reported side effects like weight gain or diarrhea. If diarrhea occurs, it may help to avoid certain trigger foods, such as dairy and greasy foods.

How to save on Dupixent

There are a few ways to save on Dupixent. GoodRx can help you navigate between copay savings cards and patient assistance programs to save money on your medication.

• Save with a copay savings card: If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $0 for your Dupixent prescription using a copay savings card from the manufacturer.

• Save with a patient assistance program: If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Dupixent’s patient assistance program, which offers the medication free of charge.

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2. Adbry

Adbry (tralokinumab-ldrm) is another biologic eczema injection. It’s currently approved for adults and adolescents ages 12 and older.

Adbry has a few things in common with Dupixent, including its availability as both an injection pen and prefilled syringe. Treatment also starts with a loading dose, followed by under-the-skin injections every other week. However, certain adults who see positive results after 16 weeks (about 4 months) may drop down to giving their injections every 4 weeks.

One key difference is how Adbry works; it only blocks IL-13. It isn’t approved for any other health conditions, either.

How to save on Adbry

There are several ways to save on Adbry:

• Save with a copay savings card: If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $0 for each fill using a copay savings card from Adbry’s manufacturer.

• Get temporary coverage: The Adbry Bridge Care Program is another option if you have commercial insurance but your plan won’t cover Adbry yet.

• Save with a patient assistance program: If you don’t have insurance or are underinsured, you may qualify for the Adbry patient assistance program.

3. Ebglyss

Ebglyss (lebrikizumab-lbkz) is another biologic medication that treats moderate-to-severe eczema in people ages 12 and older. It works similarly to Adbry by blocking IL-13.

You can find Ebglyss as a prefilled syringe and injection pen. Most people start with a loading dose, followed by injections every 2 weeks. If your skin symptoms improve after 16 weeks, your injection schedule may be reduced to once every 4 weeks.

As of now, Ebglyss is designed specifically for eczema. It doesn’t have any other approved uses. It can also only be used by people who weigh at least 88 lbs (40 kg).

How to save on Ebglyss

There are ways to save on Ebglyss, especially if you have commercial insurance.

• Save with a copay savings card: If Ebglyss is covered on your plan’s formulary, you may be able to use a copay savings card to pay as little as $5 for up to 4 pens. If your insurance doesn’t cover Ebglyss, the same amount of medication may cost as little as $25.

• Save with a patient assistance program: A patient assistance program is available for those who have little-to-no insurance coverage.

4. Nemluvio

Nemluvio (nemolizumab-ilto) is the most recent biologic eczema injection to hit the market. It’s approved for moderate-to-severe eczema and prurigo nodularis.

Unlike Dupixent, Adbry, and Ebglyss, which target IL-4 and/or IL-13, Nemluvio works by blocking interleukin-31 (IL-31). IL-31 is another key protein involved in itchiness and inflammation related to eczema.

Nemluvio is available as an injection pen. It administers medication under the skin. Most people start with a loading dose followed by injections every 4 weeks. If the treatment is working well after 16 weeks, you may be able to drop down to injecting doses every other month (every 8 weeks).

Like the other medications on this list, you can inject Nemluvio on your own at home after receiving training from a healthcare professional. But training is especially important with Nemluvio because its injection pen is unique. It has two chambers — one with the medication powder and one with sterile water. Before using Nemluvio, you’ll need to activate the pen, which mixes the two components together.

How to save on Nemluvio

There are a few ways to save on Nemluvio:

• Save with a copay savings card: If you have commercial insurance, you may be able to pay as little as $0 for Nemulvio using a copay savings card. 

• Get temporary coverage: Like Adbry, Nemluvio also has a bridge program to help you access the medication while waiting for insurance approval. Your prescriber can enroll you in this program.

• Save with a patient assistance program: A patient assistance program is also available for those who qualify.

How do you know which eczema biologic is right for you?

There isn’t a single best biologic for eczema. It largely depends on your symptoms, medical history, and personal preferences. Your insurance coverage (and potential formulary restrictions) will likely be a big driver of what’s accessible, too.

Still, there are some general differences that may help guide your dermatologist’s decision on what to prescribe:

• You have other health conditions. If you want a biologic with multiple approved uses, Dupixent may be a good choice. In addition to eczema, it’s also approved for asthma, COPD, nasal polyps, and more.

• You want fewer injections. If you prefer fewer injections over time, Nemluvio could be ideal. It starts with a loading dose followed by injections every 4 weeks. If your skin improves after 16 weeks, you may only need to inject it once every 8 weeks.

• You have a young child with eczema. If you’re looking for an eczema biologic for younger children, Dupixent is likely the move. It’s the only option currently approved for kids ages 6 months and older. The other ones are approved for people ages 12 and older. And if you or your child weigh less than 88 lbs, they wouldn’t be eligible for Ebglyss.

Choosing a biologic often involves some trial and error. A medication that works well for one person may not be as effective for another. You and your dermatologist should work together to determine the best fit based on your symptoms, preferences, and needs.

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Written by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

Reviewed by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

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