A COLLABORATIVE EXPERIENCE
INDICATION
DUPIXENT is a prescription medicine used with other medicines for the maintenance treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) in adults and children 12 years of age and older whose disease is not controlled. It is not known if DUPIXENT is safe and effective in children with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps under 12 years of age.
MARK:
I struggled with nasal polyps for years. I had congestion, trouble breathing, and even lost my sense of smell.
I had two surgeries during my treatment for nasal polyps. During that time I tried oral steroids and antibiotics to keep the polyps under control. But my nasal polyps kept coming back.
That’s when my doctor brought up DUPIXENT as a treatment option.
DR. SHER:
I see many patients who suffer from CRSwNP like Mark.
When a nasal polyp patient comes into my office and they’ve failed other treatment measures, I’ll bring up DUPIXENT.
I tell them that DUPIXENT is an add-on biologic treatment that specifically targets underlying inflammation.
MARK:
I listened carefully to what my doctor said about DUPIXENT being a biologic treatment, and I liked what I was hearing.
But I was cautiously optimistic.
I had tried so many things and I was really hoping this could work for me.
DR. SHER:
My patients have similar concerns to Mark and will ask me if DUPIXENT could work for them.
I tell them that we have many other patients with nasal polyps that have been through this treatment regimen and the clinical trials saw positive results.
Patients I’ve treated with DUPIXENT have had their smell improve, experienced less nasal congestion, are breathing better and their nasal polyps have shrunk without needing additional surgery.
But of course, everyone’s experience will be different.
I also always make sure that I talk to my patients about the benefits and risks of treatment.
MARK:
I did some research on my own, thought about it, and decided to give it a try.
MARK:
Before I started DUPIXENT, I told my doctor about all the medical conditions I had and medications I was taking.
My doctor and I talked about the potential benefits and risks of treatment, including the most common side effects such as injection site reactions, and some serious side effects including allergic reactions that can sometimes be severe, eye problems, inflammation of your blood vessels, and joint aches and pain.
DR. SHER:
My patients are often hesitant to try DUPIXENT, and one of the main concerns that I hear is that they’re afraid of using an injectable medication.
DUPIXENT is an injectable medication that is a biologic. It works differently from other medications such as oral steroids.
I explain to my patients that most biologics are given by injection.
MARK:
When I learned that DUPIXENT was an injection, that was a little bit worrisome just because I hadn’t ever done an injection before.
My doctor explained that I would be trained on how to properly inject and my wife could also be trained to help with my injections.
In my doctor's office I was given literature about DUPIXENT and how that would work and was referred to DUPIXENT.com.
DR. SHER:
Like Mark’s doctor, I explain to my selfinjecting patients that before they start DUPIXENT, we will bring them into the office, and we will train them.
I really want my patients to feel okay with their injections.
In my experience, most patients become comfortable with injecting over time, but everyone’s experience is different.
MARK:
Another concern I had was around cost.
Thankfully my doctor told me about a patient support program called DUPIXENT MyWay ®.
They explained that the DUPIXENT MyWay ® patient support program could potentially help me reduce the out-ofpocket cost of DUPIXENT with the DUPIXENT MyWay Copay Card.
They can also answer any questions regarding insurance coverage for treatment and help teach patients how to receive and stay on track with DUPIXENT.
DR. SHER:
I feel it is very important to have an open dialogue with my patients.
It’s rewarding for both of us when we find a treatment option that works for them.
MARK:
My doctor was great at keeping me involved in the decision-making process.
It was very much a collaborative experience.
I’m grateful that together, we ultimately made the decision to start treatment with DUPIXENT.
