What You Need to Know About Dupixent

Chronic sinusitis is a challenging medical condition that will require patience combined with prompt and proper medical intervention to completely resolve. The presence of nasal polyps aggravates the symptoms and, thus, make it even more challenging for your ENT doctor to treat.

Fortunately, there’s hope for people who suffer from chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps! Here are a few things that you should know about it.

Approved in 2019

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Dupixent (dupilumab) only on 26 June 2019. It was considered as the first treatment for chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps, particularly for adult patients. It’s used for inadequately controlled cases of the condition and, as such, can be prescribed along with other medical interventions.

But Dupixent isn’t a new medication per se. In fact, it was originally approved by the FDA in 2017 as treatment for inadequately controlled eczema in patients 12 years old and above. It was also approved in 2018 as an add-on drug for patients 12 years old and up who have been diagnosed with either oral corticosteroid-dependent asthma or severe eosinophilic asthma.

The approval for Dupixent’s use was granted to Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.

Decreases the Need for Oral Steroids and Surgery

By the way, chronic sinusitis refers to the prolonged inflammation of the sinuses and the nasal cavity. Nasal polyps are abnormal growths on the sinuses’ inner lining. In some cases, patients with nasal polyps may undergo surgery to remove them; nasal polyps can also result in loss of the sense of smell.

But surgery may not be necessary since Dupixent works by decreasing the size of the nasal polyps and lessening the nasal congestion. The medication may also reduce the need for taking oral and intranasal steroids, thus, relieving the symptoms.

In two studies about the safety and efficacy of Dupixent, patients who received it experienced significant reductions in the size of their nasal polyps and the severity of their nasal congestion. They also reported better smell ability as well as reduced need for oral steroids and surgery.

Dupixent isn’t an over-the-counter medication that can be taken orally. Your ENT doctor will inject it into your body, a mode of administration that increases its efficacy.

Side Effects Are Possible

Like most medications, Dupixent can cause serious allergic reactions in susceptible individuals. These side effects include:

• Redness
• Itching
• Pain
• Changes in vision
• Conjunctivitis, or inflammation of the eye
• Keratis, of inflammation of the cornea
• Inflammation of the eyelids, which may or may not be accompanied by itching, swelling and redness

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should immediately consult with your doctor and/or your ophthalmologist.

Extremely Important: If you receive Dupixent, you shouldn’t receive live vaccines.

Lastly, Dupixent isn’t the be-all and end-all of treatment for chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps. Your doctor may also prescribe other medications like antibiotics and antihistamines.

For more details of chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps and their treatment, please consult our ENT doctor.

Source:

HK ENT Specialist Ltd.

Hong Kong based ENT clinic centre

For ENT Services, Audiology & Speech Therapy,

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