Why do Dupixent injections hurt so much?

Injections can be painful for many people, including injections with Dupixent (dupilumab). The amount of discomfort people feel from injections can depend on many factors, including the temperature of the medication that is being injected and individual pain tolerance. However, there are some things you can do to reduce pain and discomfort from your Dupixent injection. If you are giving yourself or someone else Dupixent injections, a healthcare professional will teach you the correct way to give the injections.

What can you do to make Dupixent hurt less?

Many people feel some discomfort during and after getting an injection. Some things you can do to make your Dupixent injection hurt less include:

• Remove Dupixent from the refrigerator and allow it to reach room temperature (45 minutes for the 300 mg/2 mL pre-filled syringe or pre-filled pen, and 30 minutes for the 200 mg/1.14 mL pre-filled syringe or pre-filled pen)
• Choose a different site to inject Dupixent each time
• Apply an ice pack 15 minutes before injecting Dupixent to help numb your skin
• Ask your doctor about using a numbing cream before your injections
• Don’t rub your skin after the injection
• Wear loose-fitting clothing over the injection site until it feels better

Talk to your prescriber about more tips on how to reduce discomfort from Dupixent injections.

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Where is the least painful spot to inject Dupixent?

According to the manufacturer, the preferred site for injecting Dupixent is under the skin on your thigh or stomach (except for the 2 inches around your belly button) if you are giving the injection to yourself. If a caregiver is giving you your injection, they may inject it under the skin on the outer area of the upper arms. Which site is less painful will depend on individual preference.

Do not inject Dupixent into skin that is damaged or already tender, because this can cause you to feel more pain in this area. Also avoid areas that have bruises or scars.

Can you inject Dupixent wrong?

Before injecting Dupixent yourself, you should receive training from a healthcare professional. It’s important to wash your hands before injecting Dupixent, and to clean the injection site with an alcohol swab. This helps to prevent infection. Dupixent should only be injected under the skin. Do not inject it into a vein or muscle. It should also never be injected through clothing.

If you have questions about how to inject Dupixent, contact your prescriber, pharmacist, or Dupixent MyWay Nurse Educators at 1-844-DUPIXENT.