Key takeaways:
Dupixent (dupilumab) is a common injectable medication that’s administered once a week, every other week, or once a month. You can inject Dupixent under the skin of the stomach, thigh, or upper arm.
There isn’t a best time of the day to inject Dupixent. You can inject Dupixent any time that works for you. But it’s important to stay on schedule and rotate injection sites.
Using proper injection technique helps you get your full dose. Talk to a healthcare professional if you have questions about how to inject Dupixent.
Save on related medications
Dupixent (dupilumab) is a common injectable medication that’s FDA approved to treat asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and eczema. It’s also approved for many other inflammatory and allergic health conditions.
Dupixent is a type of biologic medication known as an interleukin antagonist. It works by calming down your immune system and reducing inflammation in a specific manner. While it typically works well, it’s important to follow the proper injection steps to ensure you get the full benefits of Dupixent.
Below, we’ll walk through how to inject Dupixent step-by-step. We’ll also share a few tips to make the injection process easier.
Good to know: Many people prefer to use Dupixent pens over Dupixent syringes. This guide focuses on the pen version of the medication.
How to inject Dupixent pens properly
If you’re administering the medication, you can inject Dupixent in your abdomen (stomach) or thigh. If someone else is administering a dose for you, they can inject it in the back of your upper arm.
To ensure that you’re injecting your Dupixent pen properly and safely, follow these five simple steps.
1. Gather your supplies and inspect the pen
Find a clean, flat surface to work on. Then, gather your supplies:
A Dupixent prefilled pen
Alcohol swabs
Cotton balls or gauze pads
Dupixent pens should be stored in the refrigerator in the original carton until you’re ready to administer a dose. Before injecting your pen, take it out of the fridge and let it naturally warm up at room temperature for about 30 to 45 minutes. This helps make the injection more comfortable, since cold injections tend to hurt more.
Inspecting the pen comes next. Start by looking at the medication through the window of the pen. The liquid inside should be clear and colorless to pale yellow. You shouldn’t use the pen if the medication looks cloudy or contains particles.
Also, make sure that the pen isn’t damaged or expired. Don’t use the pen if the cap — yellow for the 200 mg pen, and green for the 300 mg pen — is missing. The cap should remain in place until you’re ready to inject.
2. Prepare your injection site
Wash your hands with soap and water before choosing your injection site. If you don’t have access to soap and water, you can use hand sanitizer instead.
Clean the injection site with an alcohol swab and let the area fully air dry.
3. Remove the cap
Hold the pen with the needle end pointing down. Then, remove the yellow cap if you’re using the 200 mg pen or the green cap if you’re using the 300 mg pen. Do so by pulling it straight off. Don’t twist the cap off.
Avoid touching the needle cover since the needle is inside. Also, don't try to put the cap back on. Putting the cap back on can damage the needle and risk you pricking yourself. Once you remove the cap, inject your dose right away.
4. Inject your dose
Hold the Dupixent pen in a position that allows you to see the viewing window clearly. Place the needle cover — orange for the 200 mg pen and yellow for the 300 mg pen — flat against your skin at a 90-degree angle.
Press the pen firmly against your skin and hold it in place. Keep applying pressure until the needle cover is no longer visible. You should hear a click when the injection begins, and the viewing window will start to turn yellow. Watch the window: When it turns completely yellow, you should hear a second click. Continue pressing the pen against your skin, and count to five to ensure the full dose is received.
After the injection is complete, pull the pen straight up to remove it from your skin. The needle cover will automatically cover the needle. If you see any blood on your skin, use a cotton ball or gauze pad to dab the area. But don’t rub the injection site.
Contact a healthcare professional if the viewing window doesn’t turn completely yellow or if you’re unsure if you received the full dose. In either of these cases, don’t give yourself another dose unless a healthcare professional gives you the OK.
5. Dispose of your pen
Dupixent pens are only meant for a single use. So, once your injection is complete, you should throw away the pen.
Place the pen in a sharps container right away. Don’t dispose of it in your household trash. If you don’t have an FDA-approved sharps container, you can use a strong plastic household container that:
Is made of heavy-duty plastic
Is leak-resistant
Can be closed with a tight-fitting lid and is resistant to punctures
Examples include empty laundry detergent or fabric softener bottles. Contact your prescriber or pharmacist if you need an approved sharps container.
How do Dupixent syringes differ from Dupixent pens?
Dupixent is available in prefilled syringes or pens. The main difference is how the medication is delivered during the injection.
Using a Dupixent syringe requires you to:
Hold the syringe steady while injecting
Push the plunger of the syringe to deliver the medication
Control how fast the medication is injected
Injecting a Dupixent syringe requires more manual effort. So it might take more time and practice to do it properly. But some people might prefer this form if they want to have more control over their injections.
When you press a Dupixent pen against your skin, it delivers the medication automatically. So using a Dupixent pen usually requires less manual effort. Many people find the pens easier to use because they involve fewer steps and come with a lower risk of mistakes.
Dupixent pens can be especially helpful for people with limited hand strength or dexterity issues. This may include people who have arthritis or who experience tremors. The pens might also be a good option for those who are nervous about needles or prefer a simpler, faster injection process.
If you’re unsure about whether you want to use Dupixent syringes or pens, talk to your prescriber or pharmacist. They can help you decide which option is best for you.
Where do you inject Dupixent?
Dupixent is injected subcutaneously (under the skin), not into a muscle or vein. Dupixent can be injected into:
The thigh
The stomach, at least 2 inches away from the belly button
The outer upper arm (if someone else is giving you the injection)
When deciding where to inject, choose an area of your skin that looks healthy. Avoid injecting into bruised or tender areas. You should also avoid scarred, sunburned, or irritated areas. Don’t inject into skin where there’s an active rash, eczema, or hives, either.
It’s important to rotate injection sites each time you inject. For example, you can alternate between your left or right thigh. Or you can try a different spot on your abdomen each time. Rotating injection sites helps to prevent irritation, especially when you use Dupixent long term.
When is the best time to inject Dupixent?
There isn’t a single best time of the day to inject Dupixent. You can inject Dupixent any time that works for you. What matters most is staying on schedule. It’s important to inject it on the same day of the week, preferably at the same time of day. This helps the medication to work consistently.
Dupixent is usually administered once a week, every other week, or once a month. Your dosage schedule will depend on your age, body weight, and what you’re prescribed Dupixent for.
Setting an alarm or calendar reminder can help you stay on track. Contact a healthcare professional for guidance if you’re unsure when to inject or if you miss a dose. They will help you decide what to do next.
Tips to make sure you receive your full Dupixent dose
When injecting Dupixent pens, follow these simple tips to make sure you receive your full dose:
Inject Dupixent into healthy skin. Avoid areas that are bruised, tender, or irritated.
Keep the pen pressed against your skin for at least 5 seconds after the second click each time.
Make sure the viewing window always turns completely yellow.
Rotate injection sites for each dose to prevent irritation.
Use a new pen with each dose. Dupixent pens are for one-time use.
How to save on Dupixent
As of January 2026, the manufacturer list price for Dupixent is about $4,200 per carton. But there are ways to save on Dupixent, which currently only comes as a reference (“brand-name”) medication.
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 a patient assistance program that provides help with the cost of Dupixent. You may be able to get the medication free of charge if you qualify.
Dupixent is considered a specialty medication, meaning it needs to be filled through a specialty pharmacy. Your specialty pharmacy staff should also be well equipped to walk you through savings options or how to potentially secure insurance coverage.
The bottom line
Dupixent (dupilumab) is a common injectable medication used to treat various inflammatory and allergic conditions, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and eczema. Knowing how to inject Dupixent the right way helps you get the full benefits of each dose. And it can help you to avoid common mistakes.
You can inject Dupixent pens under the skin of your thigh, stomach, or upper arm. It’s important to stay on schedule and rotate injection sites to prevent irritation. Talk to your prescriber or pharmacist if you have questions about how to inject Dupixent.
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References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). About handwashing.
Dupixent. (n.d.). Dupixent MyWay Copay Card. Sanofi.
Sanofi-Aventis U.S. (2025). Dupixent - dupilumab injection, solution [package insert]. DailyMed.
Usach, I., et al. (2019). Subcutaneous injection of drugs: Literature review of factors influencing pain sensation at the injection site. Advances in Therapy.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration. (2021). Sharps disposal containers.
