Dupixent (dupilumab) helps manage symptoms of conditions such as atopic dermatitis and asthma. You should refrigerate Dupixent in the long term. But if needed, you can keep the drug at room temperature for up to 14 days.

Dupixent contains the active ingredient dupilumab. Doctors may prescribe this medication to help manage the symptoms of various conditions, such as severe atopic dermatitis and asthma.

Dupixent is a biologic medication, so it’s sensitive to temperature. Manufacturers make biologics from the cells of other living organisms, such as bacteria. Temperatures that are too warm or cold can cause the molecules in the medication to change shape. This means they will no longer interact with the right molecules in your body, making the medication ineffective.

Dupixent comes as a liquid solution in prefilled syringes and pens for injection under your skin. For the medication to be most effective, you should store it appropriately and inject it according to its labeling instructions.

This article explains the recommended ways to store Dupixent safely.

It’s important to store Dupixent syringes or pens at the proper temperature and in the original packaging. The packaging helps protect the medication from harmful light exposure (for example, when opening the refrigerator door). It also typically notes the expiration date of the medication.

Storing in the fridge

You can keep Dupixent in the refrigerator until you need to give yourself a dose. The recommended temperature for storing Dupixent is 36ºF to 46ºF (2ºC to 8ºC).

Do not freeze Dupixent syringes or pens. This weakens the medication’s effectiveness even after thawing.

Use unopened, refrigerated Dupixent by the expiration date on the packaging.

Medical Perspective

“When storing a medication in a home refrigerator, the most important thing is keeping it within the recommended refrigerator temperature range of 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C) and keeping it inside its original carton to protect it from light.

You don’t need to worry too much about the exact spot in the fridge, but you should avoid areas where temperatures can change a lot — like near the freezer compartment — where it could accidentally freeze. Freezing can damage the medication, so if there’s any concern that it has been frozen, it should not be used.”

— Stan Saji, PharmD, MBA, RPh

» More tips: Medication Safety: Everything You Should Know

Quotes represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Storing out of the fridge

If needed, store Dupixent at room temperature at or below 77°F (25°C). You can keep it at this temperature for up to 14 days.

The medication is not safe to inject at temperatures higher than this or when left out of the fridge for more than 14 days. In those situations, you should dispose of it because it is not safe to inject or effective to use.

If you leave a prefilled syringe or pen out of the fridge, you should use it within 14 days. And if you remove Dupixent from the fridge, you should not return it to the fridge if the medication reaches room temperature.

Right before injecting

Before injecting Dupixent, you can leave it out of the fridge for a short period. As noted here, you should remove the syringe or pen from the fridge ahead of time. The following strengths are in milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL).

  • 300 mg/2 mL: 45 minutes before injecting
  • 200 mg/1.14 mL: 30 minutes before injecting

This allows Dupixent to reach room temperature, which can help prevent discomfort when injecting a cold solution under the skin.

Note: It’s important to let Dupixent warm up on its own. Dupixent should not be heated in a microwave, hot water, or direct sunlight.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises against using medications, including Dupixent, after their expiration date.

Follow these tips to be sure you’re using Dupixent safely:

  • Give yourself your Dupixent dose within 14 days after removing it from the fridge. In the meantime, keep it at a room temperature of 77°F (25°C) or lower.
  • Do not inject Dupixent if you can see that the liquid solution appears cloudy or discolored, or contains visible flakes or particles. (Dupixent is typically clear, colorless, or pale yellow.)
  • Dispose of any medication remaining in a Dupixent syringe or pen after giving a dose. Do not inject it later.
  • Unopened, refrigerated Dupixent remains safe and effective to use until the expiration date on the packaging.

Dupixent storage at-a-glance

Do’s

  • Refrigerate for long-term storage.
  • Store in the original package to protect it from light.
  • Bring to room temperature before use.
  • Use or discard within 14 days of removing it from the fridge.

Don’ts

  • Never freeze Dupixent or attempt to inject it if it has been previously frozen.
  • Do not warm Dupixent in a microwave, with hot water, or in direct sunlight.
  • Do not put Dupixent back in the refrigerator once it has warmed up.
  • Avoid using or storing at temperatures above 77°F (25°C).
  • Do not inject if the solution is cloudy, discolored, or contains visible flakes.

Quick tip: Taking a screenshot of this list or copying it into your notes app can make it easy to reference later.

When it’s time to dispose of Dupixent, or it expires, place used syringes or pens, needles, and needle caps in a sharps container. Do not discard Dupixent or any of these items in household trash. Also, dispose of Dupixent if it looks altered or your healthcare professional stops your treatment.

Dupixent’s prescribing information provides more disposal tips. Be sure to follow your community’s guidelines for discarding a sharps container.

Dupixent is a biologic medication that helps lower inflammation levels in your body.

You can keep Dupixent in the refrigerator at temperatures of 36ºF to 46ºF (2ºC to 8ºC). Use unopened, refrigerated Dupixent by the expiration date on the packaging.

Once you remove Dupixent from the fridge, you can keep it at a room temperature of 77°F (25°C) or lower. It is safe to use within 14 days.

Disclaimer: While Healthline strives for factual, comprehensive, and current information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses. Learn more about our approach to content integrity.