Dupilumab for maintenance treatment of uncontrolled chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with raised blood eosinophils

Dupilumab (Dupixent) is available on the NHS. It is a possible treatment for uncontrolled chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults if they:

• have a high level of eosinophils in their blood, and
• are having triple therapy including an inhaled corticosteroid, a long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA) and a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA), or
• are having double therapy including a LABA and a LAMA, and cannot have an inhaled corticosteroid.

Uncontrolled COPD means you have had 1 or more severe exacerbations or 2 or more moderate exacerbations in the last 12 months. You will need a blood test to measure the level of eosinophils.

If your condition does not improve, your healthcare professional will stop your dupilumab after 12 months.

If you are not eligible for dupilumab but are already having it, you should be able to continue until you and your healthcare professional decide when best to stop.

Is this treatment right for me?

Your healthcare professionals should give you clear information, talk with you about your options and listen carefully to your views and concerns. Your family can be involved too, if you wish. See our webpage on shared decision making.

Questions to think about

• How well does it work compared with other treatments?
• What are the risks or side effects? How likely are they?
• How will the treatment affect my day-to-day life?
• What happens if the treatment does not work?
• What happens if I do not want to have treatment? Are there other treatments available?

Information and support

The NHS webpage on COPD may be a good place to find out more.

Asthma and Lung UK (0300 222 5800) can give you advice and support.

You can also get support from your local Healthwatch.

NICE is not responsible for the quality or accuracy of any information or advice provided by these organisations.

ISBN: 978-1-4731-9318-5