Has your doctor recommended dupilumab for your child with atopic dermatitis, but you’re unsure about the long-term benefits and safety? A recent study provides some promising answers for this treatment for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.
- Dupilumab has been shown to provide rapid relief of severe eczema symptoms.
- The medication has a good safety profile with only minor side effects.
- Results from this study show that dupilumab works well in real-life situations.
Dupilumab, known by the brand name Dupixent, is a prescription medication given as an injection to treat atopic dermatitis, also called eczema. It is designed for those who’ve had unsatisfactory results with topical treatments. Dupilimab has shown promise in reducing itching and unsightly rashes caused by severe eczema.
A recent study published in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment looked at dupilumab’s long-term effectiveness in children 6 to 11 years old. The children in the study had been struggling with topical therapies. The participants received injections every four weeks for one year. The result? A significant drop in the severity of their symptoms.
What Concrete Benefits Did the Study Find?
Out of the 96 children (46 female, 50 male) who started treatment, 91 completed the 52-week study. Improvements were noted in all symptom areas, including itching, disturbed sleep, and overall quality of life.
What About Side Effects?
Let’s talk safety. Out of 96 initial participants, only 14 reported side effects directly tied to the drug. The most frequent were conjunctivitis (pink eye), which occurred in eight participants, and mild reactions at the injection site in six participants. These issues were managed without significant problems. Importantly, no one had to stop the medication because of severe side effects.
What’s the Takeaway for Parents and Caregivers?
This study found dupilumab to be an effective long-term option for parents and caregivers who are wrestling with the challenge of managing their child’s persistent eczema. It not only reduces the severity of physical symptoms but also paves the way for a better quality of life.
Source:
Patruno, C., Fabbrocini, G., Lauletta, G., Boccaletti, V., Colonna, C., Cavalli, R., Neri, I., Ortoncelli, M., Schena, D., Stingeni, L., Hansel, K., Piccolo, V., Di Brizzi, V., Potenza, C., Tolino, E., Bianchi, L., Manti, S., De Pasquale, R., Di Lernia, V., & Caminiti, L. (2023). A 52-week multicenter retrospective real-world study on effectiveness and safety of dupilumab in children with atopic dermatitis aged from 6 to 11 years. The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 34(1), 2246602. https://doi.org/10.1080/09546634.2023.2246602
