Atopic Dermatitis: Dupilumab and Increase in Patient Quality of Life

Elizabeth Acuna: The current medications available for atopic dermatitis [cover] a wide range. When I started out with the disease state, very young, I started with the cortisones, the steroids. I did all the topical creams and the normal regimen, step by step. I know it helps some people, but unfortunately, it doesn’t help some other people. With that being said, I was in the later class. Those medications didn’t help me. I went on to some immunosuppressants and some really heavy medications, obviously with some pretty tough side effects that weren’t welcomed.

So, to where I am now with dupilumab, it’s been completely life changing. I had 30 some years of having no luck, having frustrations, and continued rashes and continued struggles. And, then, all of a sudden, it’s just been a life-changing event for me, so I can’t say enough about the impact that it has had. I think when you have atopic dermatitis, and I’ve had it for my entire life, you almost just start to cope with it. It almost becomes your normal; my own normal. And then, once this happened, it’s life changing. I know it. I can feel it, I see it, I experience it, but it’s even more impactful when your parents look at you and they’re like, “Oh my god, you look great” or even look at old pictures. I’m like, “Oh my god, I can’t believe I looked that bad.” It’s definitely been a long process, but I’m very, very happy where I am today.

I don’t experience any side effects with dupilumab. I’ve never had an adverse reaction that I’ve ever called into the study with the protocols. So, for me, it has all been 100% beneficial. [There is] nothing that I can take away that has been an issue for me.