This sheet talks about exposure to dupilumab in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. This information should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare provider.
What is dupilumab?
Dupilumab is a medication used to treat adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (eczema), asthma, and chronic inflammation of the tube connecting the mouth to the stomach (eosinophilic esophagitis). It is taken by an injection under the skin. It is sold under the brand name Dupixent®.
I take dupilumab. Can it make it harder for me to get pregnant?
Studies have not been done to see if dupilumab could make it harder for a woman to get pregnant.
I just found out that I am pregnant. Should I stop taking dupilumab?
Talk with your healthcare providers before making any changes to this medication. They can go over your options, weighing the risks and benefits of treating or not treating your condition. For more information about asthma in pregnancy, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet on asthma in pregnancy at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/asthma-and-pregnancy/.
How long does dupilumab stay in my body?
On average, dupilumab may remain in your body for up to three months after the last dose.
Does taking dupilumab increase the chance for miscarriage?
Miscarriage can occur in any pregnancy. Studies have not been done to see if dupilumab increases the chance for miscarriage.
Does taking dupilumab in the first trimester increase the chance of birth defects?
In every pregnancy, a woman starts out with a 3-5% chance of having a baby with a birth defect. This is called her background risk. There are no human studies looking at exposure to dupilumab during pregnancy.
Animal studies done by the manufacturer did not show an increase in birth defects with exposure to dupilumab.
Could taking dupilumab in the second or third trimester cause other pregnancy complications?
It is not known if dupilumab can cause pregnancy complications. There are no human studies looking at exposure to dupilumab during pregnancy.
Does taking dupilumab in pregnancy cause long-term problems in behavior or learning for the baby?
It is not known if dupilumab can cause long-term problems in behavior or learning.
Can I breastfeed my baby if I am taking dupilumab?
No information is available on the use of dupilumab during breastfeeding. Dupilumab is a very large protein, so not very much it is expected to pass into breast milk. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about all of your breastfeeding questions.
What if the baby’s father takes dupilumab?
There are no studies looking at possible risks to a pregnancy when the father takes dupilumab. In general, exposures that fathers have are unlikely to increase risks to a pregnancy. For more information, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet Paternal Exposures and Pregnancy at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/paternal-exposures-pregnancy/pdf/.
MotherToBaby is currently conducting a study looking at dupilumab and other medications used to treat autoimmune disorders in pregnancy. If you are interested in learning more, please call 1-877-311-8972 or visit https://mothertobaby.org/join-study.
Selected References
- Dupixent® Prescribing Information. Available online at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/761055lbl.pdf. Accessed on May 8th, 2019.
