Dupixent Treatment for Severe Eczema

[johnlang11]

I have been dealing with fairly bad Ezcema for over 1 year now, specifically on my right hand. I started seeing a specialist private dermatologist last April '24, who prescribed steroid creams like Betamethasone, as well as Betnovate and antibacterial Fucidin. All the while moisturizing my and often.
It has been a bumpy ride with flare ups happening periodically. At the start, Dr. Wong scheduled fairly frequent follow-up visits. However, his message was fairly similar each time.

I also consulted more recently, back in Nov. a Bupa panal doctor dermatologist, for a 2nd opinion. I have also consulted allergist Dr. Wu, and have done the 60 element skin test, and I know what elements, liquids, creams as well as metals to avoid. Still, I suffered a terrible flareup this week coming back from a 3 day Easter holiday trip to Taiwan. My right hand is full of deep, painful cracks and can hardly write or even bend my fingers

I was introduced to Dupixent, a Biologics, by Dr. Wong a few months ago. He didn't push me to take it back then, but only introduced. https://lstcps.hk/zh-hant/self_finan...nge_2mlx2sbox/

The Bupa doctor, Dr. Ngai, mentioned an oral treatment, Zematane, or Alitertinoin, but apparently not available in HK yet.https://dermnetnz.org/topics/alitretinoin

Has anyone been administered the whole Dupixent treatment- I am aware it is very expensive, with a whole treatment upwards of $80,000. Also it is injected rather than oral. I'm not sure if it would be partly covered by Bupa insurance, something I will need to check. Any feedback would be much appreciated- Thank you.

[AsianXpat0]

I know someone who tried it not in HK. Apparently it worked initially, but because it was costly they tried increasing the interval between doses and then it stopped working. Seems you have to be prepared to go back every 2 weeks for it, so have to take that into account from a convenience/compliance perspective.

[johnlang11]

I know someone who tried it not in HK. Apparently it worked initially, but because it was costly they tried increasing the interval between doses and then it stopped working. Seems you have to be prepared to go back every 2 weeks for it, so have to take that into account from a convenience/compliance perspective.

If it comes to, hopefully there are self-administered options regarding injecting dosages. Thank you for the feedback.

[MABinPengChau]

It's worth shopping around for a cheaper price, I know here in Taiwan drugs are less expensive than HK and don't really need a prescription, might also be worth checking Thailand and Vietnam. Go away for a 4-day weekend, stock up. Of course, if insurance covers it, never mind, that would be ideal.

Because a lot of these biologics are crazy expensive and long term.

[johnlang11]

It's worth shopping around for a cheaper price, I know here in Taiwan drugs are less expensive than HK and don't really need a prescription, might also be worth checking Thailand and Vietnam. Go away for a 4-day weekend, stock up. Of course, if insurance covers it, never mind, that would be ideal.

Because a lot of these biologics are crazy expensive and long term.

It's interesting, as I went on a 3 day trip to Taiwan during the Easter break. My aunt mentioned she took Dupixent, and it worked wonders for her.

[MABinPengChau]

My HK office mate has ezcema problems here in TW and they have very good dermitologists here, he's impressed. I had a bad fall and stitches inside my lip, lots of scar tissue, went to a dermitologist, a couple of shots into the scar tissue to get it to break down, done. In and out 5 minutes, they see a ton of people in a 3 hour clinic but they get it done.

So, find out where she gets the prescriptions, they can get it for you as well. If she's a "blood aunt" (like a sister to one of your parents) then a bit of a genetic link, meaning maybe it works well for you too. They are super sympathetic to skin issues here, the climate, well...people have stuff.