7 Dupixent Side Effects and How to Manage Them

If you or your child are living with an inflammatory condition, such as asthma, you may be prescribed a biologic medication if other treatments haven’t worked. Dupixent (dupilumab) is one biologic your prescriber may consider. It works by targeting sources of type 2 inflammation — an overactive immune response involving specific immune cells in the body.

Biologics work differently from oral, inhaled, or topical medications you may be used to taking. Because of this, you may be concerned about potential side effects. The good news is that most Dupixent side effects can be managed at home. And while serious Dupixent side effects are possible, they’re typically rare.

Dupixent side effects at a glance

Dupixent can cause a range of side effects, from mild to life-threatening. They can also vary, depending on the condition being treated. Serious side effects are rare, but they’re something to watch out for.

Promotion disclosure

Dupixent

Avg retail price

$3024.66(Save 12.50%)

GoodRx discount

$2646.71

See all discounts

How it works

Use GoodRx to find medications, pharmacies, and discounts.

GoodRx discounts can help you pay less for your prescription.

Bring your free coupon or savings card to the pharmacy.

Common Dupixent side effects include:

• Injection site reactions

• Eye problems

• Joint or muscle pain

• Dizziness

• Diarrhea

• Infections, such as upper respiratory tract infections

Less common but potentially serious Dupixent side effects include:

• Eosinophilia (increased number of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell)

• Serious infections, such as parasitic infections and herpes infections

• Hypersensitivity reactions, such as angioedema (swelling) and anaphylaxis

Common side effects, such as injection site reactions, are usually short-lived. But for more serious side effects, your care team might want you to stop using Dupixent in certain situations. Below, we review seven potential Dupixent side effects and how to manage them.

1. Injection site reactions

As with other injectable medications, injection site reactions are common with Dupixent. For people ages 12 and older with asthma, they were more common with the first Dupixent dose in initial studies. 

Injection site reactions can happen near the spot where you inject Dupixent. Examples of reactions include:

• Redness

• Swelling

• Itching

• Pain

• Inflammation

These types of reactions usually go away on their own within a day or two. In the meantime, you can manage your symptoms with a warm or cold compress, over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, and topical anti-itch creams, as needed. But you should tell your doctor’s office if your symptoms aren’t going away or seem to be getting worse.

To lessen injection site reactions, remember to change the spot where you inject Dupixent each time. This will give your skin a chance to heal from your last injection. Avoid injecting into areas of skin that are bruised, tender, or scarred, since this may affect how you absorb your dose.

2. Eye problems

A variety of eye problems can occur during treatment with Dupixent. Researchers aren’t sure why this happens, but there are several theories. Eye problems that have been reported during clinical studies of Dupixent include:

• Pink eye

• Blepharitis (swollen, irritated eyelids)

• Keratitis (inflammation of the cornea)

• Itchy eyes

• Dry eyes

• Herpes infections that affect the eyes

You may be able to manage mild eye symptoms, such as dry or itchy eyes, with OTC eye drops. Your pharmacist can help you select the right product for your needs. However, it’s still a good idea to tell your healthcare team if you notice any new or worsening eye symptoms, such as redness, discharge, or itching. In some cases, you may need to see an eye specialist.

3. Joint and muscle pain

Dupixent can also cause joint or muscle pain. In clinical trials, up to 3% of people reported joint pain, and up to 3% reported muscle pain. According to the manufacturer, some people who used Dupixent in clinical trials had trouble getting around due to their joint symptoms. What’s more, some had to be hospitalized.

Joint pain can start within days to months after your first Dupixent dose. It’s possible that the pain will resolve itself while you continue taking the medication. But it’s still a good idea to let your healthcare team know, especially if it’s bothersome or getting worse.

Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your doctor’s office might have you stop taking Dupixent to see if your joint pain resolves. Keep in mind that health conditions such as asthma and eczema may increase the risk of joint conditions, such as osteoporosis. Your healthcare team can determine if your joint pain is from Dupixent or another cause.

4. Dizziness

Some people taking Dupixent for prurigo nodularis (a skin condition that causes itchy bumps) have reported dizziness as a side effect. Keep in mind that dizziness can have many causes. It may be caused by Dupixent, a different medication, or a health condition.

If you become dizzy or feel like the room is spinning, try to sit, lie down, or hold on to something until the feeling passes. It’s also a good idea to see how Dupixent affects you before performing activities where dizziness could be risky, such as driving a car. Be extra careful if you take other medications that can make you feel dizzy.

Tell your healthcare team if your dizziness isn’t going away or seems to be getting worse.

5. Diarrhea

Some people taking Dupixent for prurigo nodularis have also reported diarrhea and some weight gain. It isn’t clear why Dupixent might cause this side effect. But if it happens, it may help to avoid certain trigger foods that worsen diarrhea, such as dairy and greasy foods.

If you experience diarrhea that doesn’t get better after 2 days, or you develop other symptoms including stomach pain or fever, contact your care team. In some cases, they may suggest an OTC diarrhea medication for relief.

Keep in mind: If your child or teen develops diarrhea from Dupixent, avoid giving them bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate). That’s because salicylates have been linked to Reye's syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition, in people under 19 years old. Talk to your child’s healthcare team about safer options.

6. Infections

Dupixent may raise your risk of infections. Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are the most common type. While less frequent, herpes infections affecting the eyes, mouth, or genitals, as well as parasitic infections have also been reported. However, there’s some evidence suggesting that the overall infection risk may not be higher with Dupixent.

It’s also important to note that certain health conditions that Dupixent treats, such as eczema, have a higher risk of infections in general. What’s more, medications often taken with Dupixent, such as oral corticosteroids, can also increase infection risk.

Tell your doctor’s office if you notice signs of an infection. URTIs often go away on their own, but OTC cold and flu products may be helpful in managing your symptoms. Other infections, such as herpes or parasites, may require medical treatment.

7. Hypersensitivity reactions

Hypersensitivity reactions, ranging from itching to severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), can occur with Dupixent. Angioedema (swelling under the skin) and skin rashes are also possible.

While anaphylaxis from Dupixent is possible, it’s rare. One study looked at 16 years of safety data for five asthma biologics in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System. From 2015 to 2020, a time period during which Dupixent was on the market, Dupixent had the lowest number of reported anaphylaxis cases.

If you think you might be experiencing a serious allergic reaction to Dupixent, call 911 or have someone take you to the nearest emergency room. Symptoms may include trouble breathing, swelling of your face or throat, and hives.

When should you contact your healthcare team about Dupixent side effects?

If you experience mild side effects that are bothersome or don’t seem to be going away, it’s a good idea to check in with your healthcare team. They can help you determine if your symptoms are due to Dupixent or something else. They’re also a great resource to help you manage side effects.

You should also contact your healthcare team if you notice any signs or symptoms of an infection. That way, they can monitor you more closely and recommend treatment options, if needed. Tell them about any joint pain that develops, so they can determine the cause and best next steps.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD

Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD, is a licensed pharmacist in California. She has been a retail pharmacy manager and staff pharmacist for over 7 years and has contributed drug information content to different health companies.

Edited 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.

Reviewed 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.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts