How Long Does Dupixent Take to Work? Plus, 9 Other Dupixent FAQs

Dupixent (dupilumab) is a prescription-only medication that treats many inflammatory health conditions, including asthma, atopic dermatitis (eczema), and more. These conditions are long-lasting — and may even persist over a lifetime — but Dupixent can make a noticeable and positive difference.

Improvements from Dupixent don’t typically happen overnight. But you should see a response in due time. Below, we answer 10 frequently asked questions about the medication, including how long it takes Dupixent to work.

1. How long does Dupixent take to work?

Dupixent starts working gradually. In most cases, it takes a few weeks to notice improvements. The specific time frame also depends on the condition being treated.

Keep in mind: The information below comes from clinical studies. It may take you more or less time to respond to Dupixent since responses vary from one person to the next.

Atopic dermatitis

In clinical trials, people saw initial improvements in their atopic dermatitis symptoms, including itching, in about 2 to 4 weeks after starting Dupixent. However, it took up to 16 weeks (4 months) of treatment for most people to experience Dupixent’s full effects.

Asthma

Dupixent’s onset time for asthma is somewhat similar to its onset time for atopic dermatitis. In clinical studies, people saw some improvements in lung function after just 2 weeks of treatment. But it typically took about 12 to 24 weeks (3 to 6 months) for Dupixent to really start working against asthma symptoms (exacerbations).

Keep in mind that some people had to wait longer than 24 weeks to experience a more significant treatment response. So it’s important to be patient when it comes to seeing results.

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Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps is a condition in which growths in the nose can cause sinus pain, stuffiness, and other related symptoms. Initial studies of Dupixent found that the medication can start addressing these symptoms quickly.

For instance, people saw improvement in nasal congestion within 2 days after starting treatment. And some reported a heightened sense of smell after just 3 days. People also started to see improvements in the size and severity of their nasal polyps within about 4 weeks.

Eosinophilic esophagitis

Eosinophilic esophagitis is an inflammatory condition that affects the ability to swallow. It can also cause symptoms such as choking, vomiting, and heartburn. People in clinical studies started to experience improvements in swallowing about 4 to 8 weeks after starting Dupixent. It took up to 24 weeks of treatment for people to see more complete effects.

Prurigo nodularis

Prurigo nodularis is a skin condition that can result in itchy bumps all over the skin. It took about 4 to 8 weeks for people to start experiencing improvements in itching and skin bump in initial studies of Dupixent. Most people saw more significant improvements within about 24 weeks of treatment.

COPD

In clinical studies, adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) linked to type 2 inflammation started noticing better breathing and fewer symptoms within the first month of using Dupixent. Many people experienced bigger benefits — such as fewer flare-ups and a better quality of life — within 12 weeks. The most lasting improvements usually happened after 6 to 12 months of regular use.

Chronic spontaneous urticaria

In clinical studies of people with chronic spontaneous urticaria (hives), Dupixent started to help ease itchiness and reduce hives within about 12 weeks. By 24 weeks, many people experienced a significant reduction in itching and hives. In fact, 41% of people had their symptoms well managed by that point, and some felt better even sooner.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Tolerating treatment: Read this guide to managing a number of potential Dupixent (dupilumab) side effects.

• Settling into a medication routine: Learn about the recommended Dupixent dosages for conditions such as asthma, eosinophilic esophagitis, and more.

• Biologics for eczema: See how these biologics stack up to each other when it comes to treating eczema.

Bullous pemphigoid

Dupixent worked fairly quickly in its bullous pemphigoid clinical studies. This is an autoimmune skin condition that causes painful blisters. Many people saw fewer new blisters, healing of existing ones, and less itching within just 2 to 4 weeks, with some noticing big improvements by the 2-week mark. By around 16 weeks, many had no new blisters and were able to reduce their steroid use. Even more people reached this level of improvement by 36 weeks (8 months) compared to those not receiving Dupixent.

2. How can you tell if Dupixent is working?

Most likely, you’ll be able to tell if Dupixent is working by listening to your body. You should be able to see and/or feel the changes. For example, if you have atopic dermatitis or prurigo nodularis, your skin may be less itchy. You may also see the bumps on your skin become less noticeable.

If you have eosinophilic esophagitis, you may have an easier time swallowing food. Or if you have chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, you may experience less nasal symptoms.

Some improvements are harder to notice, though. For instance, you may be having fewer asthma or COPD exacerbations without realizing it. Your prescriber can run tests, ask questions about your symptoms, and talk to you about how well the medication is working.

3. How long can you receive Dupixent?

Dupixent is a maintenance medication. It’s designed to treat and manage your condition over time. As such, you’ll likely take it until your healthcare professional tells you to stop. This could be months or years; there’s no set time frame.

4. How does Dupixent work?

Dupixent works by calming down your immune system and reducing inflammation.

Dupixent does this by blocking specific immune signals that are responsible for inflammation. These signals are called cytokines, which the cells of your immune system use to communicate with each other. Specifically, Dupixent blocks interleukin-4 and interleukin-13. These two signals play an important role in asthma, atopic dermatitis, and other conditions that Dupixent treats.

5. How and where do you inject Dupixent?

Dupixent is injected under the skin and comes in two forms: a prefilled syringe and a prefilled injection pen. It’s typically administered into the thigh or abdomen, especially if a person is injecting themselves. But it can also be injected in the back of the upper arm if someone else is administering the injection.

Prefilled syringe instructions

Here are nine steps for using the Dupixent prefilled syringe:

1. Look at the syringe to ensure it’s not expired and doesn’t have flakes or particles in it.

2. Place the syringe on a flat, stable surface and let it warm to room temperature for about 30-45 minutes.

3. Clean your preferred injection site with an alcohol swab.

4. Remove the needle cap from the syringe.

5. Pinch a fold of your skin, and insert the needle into this fold at a 45-degree (slanted) angle.

6. Push the plunger down with your thumb until the syringe is empty.

7. Lift your thumb and remove the syringe from the injection site.

8. Press a cotton ball and/or bandage on the injection site if you see any blood.

9. Dispose of your Dupixent syringe in a sharps container.

Prefilled pen instructions

Here are nine steps for using the Dupixent prefilled pen:

1. Look at your pen to ensure it’s not expired and doesn’t have flakes or particles in it.

2. Place the pen on a flat, stable surface and let it warm to room temperature over about 30-45 minutes.

3. Clean your preferred injection site with an alcohol swab.

4. Pull the cap straight off the pen.

5. Press the pen against the skin at the injection site. (If administering an injection to a child younger than 12, pinch the skin before injecting.) You’ll hear a click when the injection starts and a second click when your injection is complete. 

6. Keep pressing the pen against your skin for 5 more seconds after you hear the second click.

7. Remove the pen from your skin by pulling it straight back.

8. Press a cotton ball and/or bandage on the injection site if you see any blood.

9. Dispose of your Dupixent pen in a sharps container.

Good to know: Don’t use the same injection site for subsequent Dupixent injections. Rotate your injection site each time to reduce skin irritation.

6. How long can Dupixent be out of the fridge?

Dupixent prefilled syringes and pens should be stored in the fridge (36°F to 46°F). They are safe to use 14 days after you remove them from the fridge — as long as they’re stored at room temperature (68°F to 77°F).

If Dupixent is exposed to direct sunlight or heat for prolonged periods of time, the medication likely won’t be as effective. It’s a good idea to contact your pharmacy for a replacement product if you leave your Dupixent syringe or pen out for too long or accidentally expose it to excessive heat.

7. Is Dupixent safe?

Yes, Dupixent is generally safe. Dupixent is an FDA-approved medication, which means its benefits outweigh its risks when used as directed. However, like all medications, Dupixent has some risks.

The most common side effect of Dupixent is injection site reactions that cause localized symptoms, such as:

• Redness

• Swelling

• Pain

• Itching

• Inflammation

Dupixent is associated with certain eye-related symptoms, including swelling of the inner eyelid, also known as pink eye (conjunctivitis), and inflammation of the front of the eye (keratitis). These eye symptoms aren’t very common, though.

Other side effects, such as upper respiratory infections, are also possible. You can find out more with this more comprehensive list of Dupixent side effects.

8. Does Dupixent cause weight gain?

Dupixent was associated with some weight gain in one small study, but this isn’t typical. Weight gain wasn’t observed in large clinical studies of Dupixent.

Everyone responds differently to medications, though. If you experience weight gain after starting Dupixent, there are ways to address it. The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of activity a week, which can be broken up into five 30-minute exercise sessions. You can also consider keeping a food diary and making adjustments to your portion sizes, if needed.

9. Can you take Dupixent early?

In most cases, it’s best to stick with your prescribed Dupixent schedule. There’s no clinical research or official guidance supporting the safety or effectiveness of administering a dose early. Dupixent is designed to be used on a regular schedule to maintain a steady level of the medication in your body. This helps it work the way it’s supposed to.

Administering a dose too early could raise the amount of Dupixent in your system and might increase the risk of side effects. If you’re thinking about adjusting your dosing schedule — for example, before a trip or during a busy week — check in with your healthcare professional first. They can help you decide if it’s safe to shift your dose and when you should do so.

10. How much does Dupixent cost, and how can you save on Dupixent?

As of January 2025, the list price for Dupixent is about $3,990 per carton. But this likely isn’t the amount you’ll actually pay.

There are ways to save on Dupixent, which is only available as a reference (“brand-name”) medication. (It’s also a specialty medication, meaning it needs to be filled through a specialty pharmacy.) 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 prescriptions 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.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Mandeep Sohal, PharmD

Mandeep Sohal, PharmD, is a licensed pharmacist in California with over 7 years of experience. In his career, he’s worked in specialty and community pharmacy, pharmacy benefit management, and pharmaceutical manufacturers.

Edited 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:

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP

​​Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified ambulatory care clinical pharmacist. Ulrich’s experience includes direct patient care in hospital and community pharmacies.

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