When Should I Stop Using Dupixent?: A Comprehensive Guide to Discontinuation

October 11, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a long-term study, over 18% of patients using dupilumab (Dupixent) for atopic dermatitis permanently discontinued the medication for various reasons, including adverse effects or lack of efficacy. Understanding when should I stop using Dupixent is a critical part of managing your treatment plan, and it must always be done under a doctor's supervision.

Quick Summary

Dupixent discontinuation may be necessary due to severe allergic reactions, lack of treatment effectiveness, or bothersome side effects. Some patients in stable remission may also consider tapering under medical supervision. Always consult a healthcare provider before making any changes.

Key Points

Immediate Dangers: Stop Dupixent and seek immediate medical help for signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as breathing difficulties or swelling of the face.
Symptom Recurrence is Likely: Your original inflammatory symptoms will likely return or worsen if you stop Dupixent, as the medication is no longer suppressing the condition.
Tapering is an Option: For patients in stable remission, a doctor may recommend gradually tapering the injection frequency to see if a lower dose is sufficient or if the medication can be stopped entirely.
Requires Medical Supervision: Never stop Dupixent abruptly on your own; always consult a healthcare provider to devise a safe discontinuation plan to minimize the risk of a relapse.
Watch for Adverse Effects: You should consider stopping Dupixent if you develop new or worsening side effects, like eye problems, new-onset psoriasis, or joint pain.
Check for Efficacy: If there is no adequate response after an initial treatment period (e.g., 16 weeks for eczema), your doctor may recommend discontinuing Dupixent.

Dupixent (dupilumab) is a biologic medication used to treat several inflammatory conditions, including moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, asthma, and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis. As with any long-term medication, there may come a time when you or your healthcare provider consider stopping treatment. The decision to stop Dupixent is a significant one and should be approached with careful consideration and medical supervision. Stopping the medication abruptly without a doctor's advice is not recommended.

Immediate Reasons to Stop Dupixent

Certain situations require immediate discontinuation of Dupixent. These are typically related to serious adverse reactions that necessitate prompt medical attention.

Severe Allergic Reactions

Severe hypersensitivity reactions can occur, though they are rare. If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should stop using Dupixent immediately and seek emergency medical care:

Breathing problems or wheezing
Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
Fainting or dizziness
Rapid pulse
Fever
Hives, severe rash, or red bumps on the skin
Swollen lymph nodes
Nausea or vomiting
Joint pain

Unresponsive Parasitic Infections

Patients with known or suspected parasitic (helminth) infections should be treated before starting Dupixent. The medication should be discontinued if a new parasitic infection arises and does not respond to standard anti-helminth treatment.

Considering Discontinuation for Other Reasons

Outside of immediate medical emergencies, there are other, less urgent reasons to discuss stopping Dupixent with your healthcare provider. These reasons are often based on the treatment's long-term effectiveness and your body's response.

Lack of Efficacy

If you have been using Dupixent for a specified period, such as 16 weeks for atopic dermatitis, and have not seen a satisfactory improvement in your symptoms, your doctor may consider stopping the treatment. However, some individuals with a partial response may continue to improve with prolonged treatment.

Developing New or Worsening Adverse Effects

Some individuals develop new side effects during treatment, which may warrant discontinuation. These can include:

Eye problems: The development of new or worsening eye symptoms, such as conjunctivitis (pink eye) or keratitis (inflammation of the cornea), may lead to discontinuation, especially if they don't resolve with other treatments.
New-onset psoriasis: While treating atopic dermatitis, some patients have reported new-onset psoriasis. Discontinuation of Dupixent can lead to the resolution of psoriasis symptoms.
Joint aches and pain (Arthralgia): Some patients develop joint pain that can sometimes be severe enough to affect mobility. If these symptoms persist or worsen, your doctor may consider stopping Dupixent.

Stable Remission

Some patients, particularly those with atopic dermatitis, who achieve long-term control of their disease might discuss the possibility of tapering their injections or taking a "drug holiday" with their doctor. Studies have shown that some patients can successfully prolong the interval between injections without a significant flare-up. A small number may even be able to stop completely, though this is rare.

What Happens If You Stop Taking Dupixent?

It is important to know what to expect if you stop Dupixent. The experience will vary from person to person.

Symptom recurrence: When you stop Dupixent, symptoms of your underlying inflammatory condition, such as eczema or asthma, are likely to return or worsen. This is because the medication is no longer suppressing the inflammatory pathways.
No specific withdrawal symptoms: Unlike some medications, there are no specific, unique side effects associated with stopping Dupixent, such as a physical dependency or withdrawal syndrome. However, this does not mean the process is without consequences, as the disease itself can rebound.
Impact of abrupt cessation: Abruptly stopping Dupixent is generally not recommended, especially for patients who are also reducing or stopping systemic corticosteroids. Your doctor will advise a gradual reduction of steroid dosage to avoid rebound effects.
Re-treatment feasibility: Clinical evidence indicates that re-administering Dupixent after a period of discontinuation is often successful in regaining disease control.

How to Safely Taper Dupixent

For patients with well-controlled disease, the process of tapering Dupixent injections should be carefully monitored by a healthcare provider.

Achieve sustained control: The first step is to wait until your symptoms have been well-controlled for a significant period (e.g., at least three to six months).
Prolong the interval: Under a doctor's guidance, you might extend the time between injections, for example, from every two weeks to every three or four weeks.
Monitor response: Your doctor will closely monitor your symptoms for any signs of disease flare-up. You should also report any changes in your condition.
Further tapering or discontinuation: If your symptoms remain well-controlled, your doctor may consider further prolonging the interval or attempting complete discontinuation. If symptoms return, you may need to resume the original treatment schedule.

Dupixent Discontinuation: Reasons and Outcomes


Reason for Stopping Dupixent	Outcome of Discontinuation	Important Considerations
Severe Allergic Reaction	Immediate cessation of treatment and emergency medical intervention.	All future use of Dupixent is contraindicated due to severe reaction risk.
Untreatable Parasitic Infection	Discontinue treatment until the infection has resolved.	May be possible to restart Dupixent after successful treatment of the infection.
Lack of Efficacy	Cessation of treatment and exploration of alternative therapies.	Response should be evaluated after 16 weeks of treatment.
Adverse Effects (Eye Problems, Psoriasis, Joint Pain)	Discontinuation and management of specific side effects.	Symptoms may resolve after stopping Dupixent.
Disease Remission	Gradual tapering under medical supervision.	Close monitoring for symptom relapse is necessary; recurrence is possible.

Conclusion

The decision to stop using Dupixent is complex and requires careful consideration of the risks and benefits. While some patients may successfully taper off the medication under medical guidance, especially those in stable remission, many will require long-term treatment to maintain control over their inflammatory condition. Severe allergic reactions or other specific adverse effects are clear indicators for immediate discontinuation. Regardless of the reason, it is paramount to work closely with your healthcare provider to ensure a safe and effective transition, preventing the potential for a severe rebound of symptoms. You can find more information from authoritative sources like the National Eczema Association.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, you should never stop Dupixent on your own, even if your symptoms have cleared up. Your healthcare provider must supervise any changes to your medication regimen. Stopping abruptly could cause your symptoms to return or worsen.

If you miss a dose, you should take it as soon as you remember. After that, you should continue with your regularly scheduled injection. If you miss a dose for an extended period, it's best to consult your doctor for guidance.

There is no single rule, but some research suggests waiting until symptoms have been well-controlled for at least three to six months before discussing tapering with your doctor.

Signs of a severe allergic reaction include swelling of the face, lips, or tongue; breathing problems; fainting; rapid pulse; or a widespread, severe rash or hives. If these occur, stop Dupixent and seek immediate medical attention.

Yes, re-treatment with Dupixent after a period of discontinuation has been shown to be effective in many cases. If your symptoms return after stopping, your doctor can guide you on restarting treatment.

Dupixent is not known to cause specific withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation. However, the symptoms of the underlying condition it was treating are likely to return, and this recurrence can feel like a withdrawal effect.

For conditions like atopic dermatitis, a trial period of at least 16 weeks is typically used to determine if the treatment is adequately effective. If there's no significant improvement by then, your doctor may consider discontinuing it.