Dupixent Side Effects

Dupixent (generic name dupilumab) is a liquid medication that is injected under the skin. It is used to treat various medical problems, including:

• Asthma: Inflammation of the bronchial tubes that makes it difficult to breathe. Severe asthma can make it hard for people to talk or maintain an active lifestyle.
• Bullous pemphigoid: A rare autoimmune disorder affecting the skin. Bullous pemphigoid causes itchy blisters all over the body. It can affect people of all ages but is more common among older adults.
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): A progressive lung disease that makes breathing difficult. COPD conditions can include emphysema, chronic bronchitis or asthma-COPD overlap syndrome. People who have one or more of these conditions are often diagnosed with COPD.
• Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps: Inflammation of the spaces around the nose that can lead to swelling and polyps. Nasal polyps are growths that can interfere with the normal function of the nose and sinuses. They can cause congestion, runny nose, sneezing and the inability to taste and smell.
• Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU): A skin condition that causes sudden, recurrent hives. The hives with CSU appear as raised, red bumps on the skin. Swelling may also appear with the hives.
• Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE): Inflammation of the esophagus that makes swallowing painful. EoE is a chronic condition that can last a lifetime but can be helped with treatment.
• Eczema: A skin condition also known as atopic dermatitis. Eczema causes the skin to itch, become inflamed and develop dry patches and rashes. Scratching makes the symptoms worse.
• Prurigo nodularis: Intensely itchy skin that develops a rash and hard lumps (nodules) when the skin is scratched. Prurigo nodularis is most common in middle-aged patients. It may be caused by issues in the immune system or nervous system.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Dupixent (dupilumab) in 2017 to treat chronic diseases resulting from type 2 inflammation, including moderate-to-severe eczema. Eczema is partly caused by an overactive immune system, which leads to more inflammation under the skin than normal.

Dupixent has given many patients relief from severe eczema and asthma. However, research has found that the medication may be linked to severe and long-term risks, including an increased risk of developing cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). CTCL is a rare and aggressive form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that affects the skin.

Common symptoms of CTCL include:

• Bumps on the skin that look like large pimples
• Fever
• Flat, scaly sores that resemble a rash
• Reddening of the skin
• Severe itching
• Sweating
• Thickened, raised lesions
• Tumors of the skin
• Weight loss

Some recent studies have linked Dupixent to increased risk of CTCL:

• May 2025: A research study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology scrutinized FDA safety data. Researchers found that Dupixent users reported CTCL 30 times more often than those taking all other medications. The study suggested that the drug may change receptor pathways, potentially leading to CTCL in some patients.
• August 2024: A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology compared CTCL risk in users and non-users of Dupixent. Researchers found that atopic dermatitis patients who used Dupixent were over four times more likely to develop CTCL compared to those who did not use the medication. In most cases, CTCL was diagnosed a year or more after treatment with Dupixent began.
• August 2024: A Thomas Jefferson University study explored the increased risk of CTCL after Dupixent was used to treat atopic dermatitis. It found that patients aged 60 and over with AD made up 54% of all CTCL cases. This population had the greatest risk of developing CTCL after treatment with Dupixent.

Many Dupixent side effects are mentioned on the medication warning label. These include:

• Cold sores: Fever blisters on the lips or inside the mouth are common side effects of Dupixent. Painful blisters on the nose, eyes, and genitals have also been reported.
• Common cold symptoms: Symptoms of the common cold (also called nasopharyngitis) are listed as side effects. Nasopharyngitis is inflammation of the nasal passages and throat linked to a viral infection. Symptoms include coughing, fatigue, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing and sore throat.
• Elevated levels of certain white blood cells: According to the label, Dupixent causes an increase in eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) in some patients. This can lead to inflammation of the lungs or blood vessels.
• Eye problems: Blurred vision, changes in vision, dry or itchy eyes, eye and eyelid inflammation, eye pain, eye infection, swelling and redness have been connected to Dupixent use and are listed on the label. During clinical trials, patients reported conjunctivitis (pink eye) and keratitis (inflammation of the cornea). Conjunctivitis was the most frequently cited side effect.
• Hypersensitivity: Allergic reactions like anaphylaxis, AGEP and serum sickness (rare skin reactions related to medication), generalized urticaria (itchy welts), erythema nodosum (painful red bumps on lower legs), and erythema multiforme (rash with “target-like” lesions) have been linked to Dupixent use. These reactions are listed under the “Warnings and Precautions” section of the Dupixent label.
• Injection site discomfort: According to the Dupixent label, injection site reactions commonly occur, particularly with the initial dose. These reactions might include temporary or persistent inflammation, itchiness, pain, redness and swelling at the injection site.

What are the worst side effects of Dupixent?

Lawsuits have been filed alleging that Dupixent users have developed cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) after using the medication. Other serious side effects associated with Dupixent use may include:

• Chest pain, numbness in the arms or legs or shortness of breath caused by increased levels of eosinophils that result in swollen lungs.
• Serious eye issues such as changes in vision, blurred vision or eye pain
• Severe allergic reactions and skin reactions like a “bullseye” rash, bumps known as hives, or pus-filled spots

If you develop severe side effects from Dupixent, you should seek medical attention immediately. If you or a loved one develops CTCL, consider reaching out to a lawyer to discuss filing a Dupixent lawsuit.

What are the side effects of stopping Dupixent?

The side effects of stopping Dupixent will likely be a return of the symptoms experienced before the patient started taking the medication. Stopping Dupixient abruptly instead of gradually tapering off injections is not recommended. Seek the advice of a medical doctor if you are thinking about stopping Dupixent.

What should I do if I have side effects from taking Dupixent?

If you have side effects from taking Dupixent, you should discuss them with your healthcare provider. You can also report side effects to the FDA. If you experience severe side effects, call your doctor immediately.

Can I sue if I develop cutaneous T-cell lymphoma while taking Dupixent?

If you develop cutaneous T-cell lymphoma while taking Dupixent, you might be able to sue if you meet certain criteria, such as:

• You were prescribed and took Dupixent for asthma, eczema or other approved uses.
• You were diagnosed with CTCL after taking Dupixent.
• You lost a loved one to CTCL after they used Dupixent.

In many cases, CTCL was diagnosed more than a year after Dupixent treatment began. This means the drug may accelerate or unmask disease in certain patients. Filing deadlines also vary by state. Contact a lawyer experienced in injuries related to prescription medications as soon as possible.

If you or a loved one developed cutaneous T-cell lymphoma or other severe side effects after using Dupixent, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit seeking compensation. Motley Rice has a proven track record in complex drug injury litigation. We currently represent clients in cases alleging serious side effects caused by various medications, including weight loss drugs, Depo-Provera®, Oxbryta® and Zinbryta®.

Our team of drug injury lawyers can help you understand your rights and take the next step toward justice. We understand the serious side effects and health problems that allegedly defective drugs can have on you. We approach each case as a unique situation and will help you understand the complex legal and scientific aspects of medical litigation.

If a prescription medication intended to help you or a loved one caused you harm, our team can help by:

• Identifying potentially harmful prescription medications
• Investigating whether the medicine is linked to your illness or injury
• Reviewing the manufacturer’s compliance with FDA regulations
• Examining whether the manufacturer's warning to you about potential side effects was adequate
• Identifying other issues that could affect your potential claim
• Uncovering potential manufacturing defects or issues with the manufacturing process
• Reviewing the applicable statute of limitations

Read more about our drug injury litigation experience.

Do not stop taking a prescribed medication without first consulting with your doctor. Discontinuing a prescribed medication without your doctor’s advice can result in injury or death. Dupixent, Depo-Provera, Oxbryta and Zinbryta remain approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.