Key takeaways
Dupixent is a biologic medication used to treat moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD), asthma, and other medical conditions.
Dupixent alternatives for eczema include Adbry, Cibinqo, Eucrisa, Opzelura, and Rinvoq for those who have problems with Dupixent.
Switching from Dupixent to an alternative requires consultation with a healthcare provider.
Dupixent is a prescription drug used to treat atopic dermatitis, asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps, and other inflammatory conditions. Dupixent is administered as a subcutaneous injection and is sold in pre-filled syringes or injection pens. The active ingredient in Dupixent is dupilumab, a monoclonal antibody that blocks the inflammatory response. Although it’s an effective medication, people may need to switch to another drug because of treatment failure, side effects, or price. There are many alternatives to Dupixent to choose from, but this article will focus on atopic dermatitis treatments. Ask a healthcare professional about Dupixent alternatives for asthma or other conditions.
RELATED: Dupixent side effects
What can I take in place of Dupixent?
There are other options available to treat moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD) that has not improved with Dupixent, or when Dupixent cannot be used. The alternative prescription medications in the table below may be more suitable for certain individuals due to their different drug classes or side effect profiles.
Compare Dupixent alternatives for atopic dermatitis |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance of brand-name drug | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Dupixent (dupilumab) injection | $5,543 for 2, 2 mL of 300 mg/2 mL injection pens | $4,013 for 2, 2 mL of 300 mg/2 mL injection pens of brand-name Dupixent at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Cibinqo (abrocitinib) oral tablet | $7,128 per 30, 100 mg tablets | $5,517 per 30, 100 mg tablets of brand-name Cibinqo at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Eucrisa (crisaborole) ointment | $1,036 for 1, 60 g tube of 2% ointment | $710 for 1, 60 gm tube of 2% ointment of brand-name Eucrisa at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Opzelura (ruxolitinib) cream | $2,829 for 1, 60 g tube of 1.5% cream | $1,903 for 1, 60 g tube of 1.5% cream of brand-name Opzelura at Kroger | See latest prices |
| Rinvoq (upadacitinib) extended-release tablet | $8,966 for 30, 15 mg extended-release tablets | $6,568 for 30, 15 mg extended-release tablets of brand-name Rinvoq at Kroger | See latest prices |
RELATED: Rinvoq vs. Dupixent
Other drugs that may be used in combination with Dupixent
The following drugs may be prescribed in combination with Dupixent. However, Dupixent is generally used when these types of medications have not been effective on their own or cannot be tolerated.
- Topical corticosteroids of varying potency are usually used as a first-line treatment of atopic dermatitis. Dupixent or its alternatives are generally used when other treatments, such as topical steroids, have failed. Examples of topical steroids include hydrocortisone cream, clobetasol, triamcinolone, and fluocinonide.
- Oral steroids, such as prednisone, may be used to treat various inflammatory conditions, including AD.
- Oral antihistamines, such as hydroxyzine or loratadine, are sometimes used to control symptoms of itching or hives associated with AD.
Top 5 Dupixent alternatives
The following are some of the most common alternatives to Dupixent.
1. Adbry (tralokinumab-ldrm) injection
Adbry is an interleukin-13 antagonist used to treat moderate to severe AD in adults who are not adequately controlled with topical medications or who cannot tolerate these medications. Adbry can be used with or without topical steroids. Like Dupixent, Adbry is given by subcutaneous injection every two weeks. Common side effects of Adbry are upper respiratory infection, pinkeye, and injection site reactions. Before starting Adbry, all vaccinations must be up to date. You cannot receive live vaccines (such as the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine) when taking Adbry.
RELATED: Important information about Dupixent and vaccines
2. Cibinqo (abrocitinib) oral tablet
Cibinqo is a tablet that is taken by mouth every day. It belongs to a group of drugs called Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. Cibinqo can be used to treat adults with moderate to severe AD when their symptoms are not adequately controlled with other medications, or when they cannot take or tolerate other medications. Cibinqo cannot be used in combination with other JAK inhibitors, biologic immunomodulators, or other immunosuppressants (such as cyclosporine). Common side effects of Cibinqo include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, acne, herpes simplex infection, common cold, and urinary tract infections.
Cibinqo has a boxed warning, which is the strongest warning required by the FDA. The warnings state that Cibinqo can cause an increased risk of:
- Serious infections that can lead to hospitalization or death
- Lymphoma and other cancers
- Higher rate of death, including sudden cardiovascular (heart) death
- Major cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke
- Thrombosis (blood clots) that may include deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism
Some of these are more likely to occur in patients who are being treated for rheumatoid arthritis. However, anyone considering Cibinqo should discuss the risks versus benefits with their healthcare provider, who can provide appropriate medical advice.
3. Eucrisa (crisaborole) ointment
Eucrisa is a topical ointment that can be used to treat mild to moderate AD in adults and children 3 months and older. Eucrisa is part of the phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor drug class. Common side effects include pain, burning, and stinging at the application site.
RELATED: What is Eucrisa?
4. Opzelura (ruxolitinib) cream
Opzelura is a topical cream that is used as a short-term treatment of mild to moderate AD in adults and children 2 years of age and older who are not immunocompromised, and when symptoms are not adequately controlled by topical treatments.
Common side effects of Opzelura are the common cold, ear infection, bronchitis, diarrhea, hives, runny nose, tonsillitis, and inflamed hair follicles.
Like Cibinqo, Opzelura is a JAK inhibitor and has the same boxed warnings. Opzelura cannot be used in combination with other JAK inhibitors, biologic immunomodulators, or other immunosuppressants.
5. Rinvoq (upadacitinib) extended-release tablet
Rinvoq is an extended-release tablet that is taken by mouth every day. It is a JAK inhibitor and can be used to treat adults and adolescents 12 years and older with moderate to severe AD when symptoms are not controlled with other medications, or other medications cannot be taken or tolerated.
Rinvoq can also be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis (a type of arthritis that affects some people with psoriasis), and ulcerative colitis.
Common side effects of Rinvoq, when used for AD, are upper respiratory infection, herpes simplex infection, acne, headache, cough, allergic reactions, inflamed hair follicles, weight gain, fatigue, and muscle pain.
Like Cibinqo and Opzelura, Rinvoq cannot be used in combination with other JAK inhibitors, biologic immunomodulators, or other immunosuppressants. Rinvoq also has the same boxed warnings as Cibinqo and Opzelura.
RELATED: What is Rinvoq?
Natural alternatives to Dupixent
Atopic dermatitis can be treated with a comprehensive approach. Although prescription medication is an important part of the treatment plan, there are other parts of the treatment plan that may help with symptoms, too.
Although there is no evidence that diet restrictions will help avoid flares, certain foods can cause inflammation in some people, according to the National Eczema Association. In these cases, avoiding gluten and dairy may help.
Some patients look to the vitamin aisle to help with AD. The National Eczema Association notes that severe eczema may be related to low vitamin D levels, so taking vitamin D may help eczema.
Showers should be brief (under 10 minutes), lukewarm, and a gentle cleanser should be used. Moisturizing after the shower is key. Coconut oil and sunflower seed oil moisturizers may be helpful to those with eczema. Some people also find success with acupuncture or hypnosis.
However, while some of the measures discussed above may help, they are not a substitute for medication but rather a complement to it. Consult your healthcare provider about natural and nonmedicinal methods you can try in combination with your medications. Always consult your healthcare professional for medical advice before trying an herbal supplement, as some may have dangerous adverse effects or drug interactions with the medications you take.
How to switch to a Dupixent alternative
If you are interested in switching to a Dupixent alternative, consider taking the following steps:
- If price is a concern, contact your health insurance carrier. Ask which Dupixent alternatives are covered on your formulary, and what the copay would be for each medication. You should also ask if your deductible has been met or if you are still paying towards your deductible.
- Reach out to your healthcare provider. They can review your medical conditions and history and discuss alternative medications, their potential side effects, and possible drug interactions. If your healthcare provider decides to prescribe a Dupixent alternative, they can send (or call in) the prescription to your preferred pharmacy. For Dupixent, this is usually a specialty pharmacy.
- Search the SingleCare website for free coupons. SingleCare customers save up to 80% on prescription prices, and the coupons can be applied to refills, too. SingleCare is free to use and available to everyone. Registered members can save even more, and it’s fast and free to sign up.
RELATED: Dupixent copay card & savings guide
The SingleCare prices in this article are the most accurate at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of Aug. 6, 2026. Prices vary by pharmacy. Visit our coupon page for updated drug prices at pharmacies near you.
- Dupixent dupilumab injection prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine) (2026)
- Opzelura ruxolitinib cream prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine) (2025)
- Guidelines of care for the management of atopic dermatitis in adults with phototherapy and systemic therapies, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (2024)
- Cyclosporine JTF AD guideline supplement, 2023 AAAAI/ACAAI Joint Task Force Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema) Guidelines (2023)
- Top 7 natural and alternative treatments for eczema, National Eczema Association (2022)
- Bathing and eczema, National Eczema Association (2025)
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