Can a 54-year-old still try Dupixent for the first time?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am 54 years old and have battled eczema most of my life, but never tried biologics. Can a 54-year-old still try Dupixent for the first time? Steroid creams barely work now, and my skin is thick, itchy, and cracked. I am worried about side effects at my age and whether it works as well later in life. Is it safe long-term? Will it help with sleep and constant infections?

I am tired of hiding my skin and avoiding social stuff. I feel embarrassed about scratching all the time. I just want relief and to feel comfortable in my body again without fear of making things worse.

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and understood your concern.

I am sorry you have been dealing with eczema (a chronic, non-contagious condition causing dry, inflamed, and severely itchy skin ) for so many years. Living with constant itching, cracked skin, poor sleep, and the embarrassment that can come from visible symptoms can be exhausting both physically and emotionally.

The good news is that many people in their 50s, 60s, and older start treatment with Dupilumab for the first time and often experience significant improvement in itching, skin inflammation, and quality of life. Age alone does not prevent someone from being a candidate for this medication.

In clinical studies and real-world use, Dupilumab has generally shown a favorable safety profile, including for longer-term treatment, although regular follow-up with your dermatologist is important.

Common side effects can include:

Eye irritation.
Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the clear membrane lining your eyelids and covering the whites of your eyes).
Injection site reactions.

However, it does not carry many of the systemic risks associated with long-term oral steroids. Better control of eczema often leads to improved sleep because the itch cycle is reduced, and healthier skin can also lower the risk of skin infections related to scratching and skin breakdown.

Whether it is right for you depends on your overall health, eczema severity, and previous treatments, but based on what you describe, it would be very reasonable to discuss biologic therapy with your dermatologist.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.

Thank you.