If you have certain forms of eczema, asthma, or sinusitis, your doctor may prescribe Dupixent for you.

It is a prescription drug that is used to treat a number of conditions.

  • Moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (eczema). For this condition, Dupixent is used in adults and some children when topical prescription drugs aren’t working well. (Medicated skin creams are examples of topical treatments.) Dupixent can also be tried when medicated skin creams can’t be used.
  • Certain forms of moderate to severe asthma. For this condition, Dupixent is used as an add-on treatment to help prevent asthma symptoms in adults and some children. As an add-on treatment, it’s used together with one or more other medications. It’s important to know that Dupixent should not be used to treat a sudden asthma attack. In that case, a rescue inhaler should be used if needed.
  • Chronic sinusitis (long-term swelling in your sinuses) with nasal polyps. (Nasal polyps are tissue growths that can make it difficult to breathe through your nose.) For this condition, Dupixent is used as an add-on treatment for adults whose symptoms are not well managed.

For more details about these conditions and how Dupixent is used, see the “What is Dupixent used for?” section below.

Dupixent basics

Dupixent contains the active ingredient dupilumab, which is a biologic medication. (A biologic is made from parts of living organisms.)

Dupilumab is available only as the brand-name drug Dupixent. It isn’t available in a biosimilar form. (Biosimilars are like generic drugs. But unlike generics, which are made for nonbiologic drugs, biosimilars are made for biologic drugs.)

Dupixent comes in prefilled syringes that contain a single dose. It’s given as an injection under your skin.

“You can get Dupixent injections at the healthcare professional’s office. You can give yourself Dupixent injections after you learn how to do it.”

“You can learn about Dupixent’s side effects, uses, and FAQ.”

Dupixent may cause mild or serious side effects. The side effects that Dupixent may cause are described in the lists below. All possible side effects are not included in these lists.

The side effects of Dupixent can be different depending on the condition it is treating. Side effects of a drug can depend on other factors.

  • Your age.
  • You have other health conditions.
  • You may be taking other drugs.

Dupixent has some side effects that can last for as long as you are taking it. There are no long-term side effects after people stop taking it.

If you have questions about side effects of Dupixent, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also see this article for details about the drug’s side effects.

Mild side effects

Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects that Dupixent can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Dupixent’s patient information.

There are some mild side effects of Dupixent.

Many drugs can have mild side effects that go away in a few days or weeks. If they become intolerable, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. They may suggest ways to reduce side effects.

The side effect focus section gives more information on this side effect.

Serious side effects

Dupixent can have serious side effects, but they are not common. If you have serious side effects from Dupixent, you should call your doctor. If you think you have a medical emergency, you should call the emergency number.

Dupixent has been reported to have serious side effects.

The side effect focus section gives more information on this side effect.

Side effect focus

There are some side effects Dupixent may cause.

Joint pain

Dupixent may cause joint pain.

Side effects of Dupixent, such as joint pain, may differ between people with different conditions. For instance, joint pain was a common side effect in studies of people who took Dupixent for chronic sinusitis (long-term sinus swelling) with nasal polyps. (Polyps are tissue growths that can make it difficult to breathe through your nose.)

But joint pain isn’t typically a common side effect in people who take Dupixent for eczema or asthma.

Your bones meet in your joints, such as your hips, knees, and elbows. Joint pain can feel like an ache or a sore when you move around.

What can help?

Without medical treatment, joint pain from Dupixent may be alleviated.

Here are some things you can do at home to help.

  • Stretch daily and before exercise to help maintain a healthy range of motion in your joints.
  • Staying active helps keep your joints strong.
  • Rest your joints when they are painful.
  • Consider an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever. Some examples include acetaminophen (Tylenol) or a topical product that’s applied to the skin, such as diclofenac (Voltaren) gel. If you’re unsure if OTC pain relievers are safe for you, check with your doctor or pharmacist.

If your joint pain is not relieved with these tips, you should call your doctor. They might want to look at you for other causes of pain. They may suggest other ways to reduce the pain.

Eye problems

There have been some eye problems in people who have received Dupixent.

Conjunctivitis (pink eye) is a common side effect in people taking the drug for eczema. Though less common, this side effect is also seen in people receiving Dupixent for chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps. Conjunctivitis hasn’t been reported as a side effect in people taking the drug for asthma.

Conjunctivitis can cause swelling, itching, and reddening of your eye and eyelid.

Serious eye problems, such as corneal ulcers, are also possible with Dupixent. Symptoms of this condition include eye pain, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light. If you develop these symptoms, it’s important to seek medical care right away.

It is possible that Dupixent could cause problems with your vision. If you are concerned about vision problems with this medication, talk to your doctor.

What can help?

Eye itching or irritation due to conjunctivitis can be bothersome, but it’s usually not serious. You may find relief with just a cool compress. You could also try over-the-counter eye itch relief drops, such as ketotifen (Alaway, Zaditor).

If you develop eye crusting or colored mucus, or a fever, it could be a sign of an eye infection. If this happens, or your eye symptoms become severe, call your doctor. They may recommend treatment with a prescription eye drop or medication.

If you notice vision changes or eye pain, you should not wait to see if it gets better on its own. Call your doctor if you want to be safe. Next steps can be suggested to help manage your eye problems.

Cold sores due to herpes virus

Dupixent does not cause infections with herpes virus. But if the virus is already inside your body, Dupixent may increase your risk for cold sores (oral herpes). Cold sores are a common side effect in people taking this drug.

Cold sores may appear on your lips or mouth. They’re small, blister-like lesions that are commonly caused by the herpes virus. People sometimes notice an itch or tingling sensation in their lips or mouth before a cold sore appears.

What can help?

Cold sores can go away on their own in a few weeks.

OTC and prescription treatments can help heal cold sores faster. These treatments are examples.

  • Abreva is a Latin word.
  • The drug is called Denavir (Rx).
  • Valtrex (Rx)

Allergic reaction

Some people may have an allergic reaction to Dupixent. Allergic reactions were reported in studies of Dupixent, but they were rare.

A mild allergic reaction can include some symptoms.

  • There is a skin rash.
  • It is itchy.
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A more severe allergic reaction is not uncommon. A severe allergic reaction can cause swelling under your skin, which can be seen in your eyes, lips, hands, and feet. They can include swelling of your mouth, throat, and tongue, which can cause trouble breathing.

Some people who had allergic reactions during studies of Dupixent developed the following symptoms:

  • hives (raised, itchy bumps on your skin)
  • erythema nodosum (reddish or discolored, painful lumps under your skin, usually on your lower legs)
  • serum sickness (an immune system reaction that causes fever, rash, and joint pain or swelling)

If you have an allergic reaction to Dupixent, call your doctor. If you think you have a medical emergency, call the emergency number.

Your doctor will explain how to inject. They will explain how much to inject and how often. Follow their instructions.

Injecting Dupixent

Dupixent is a liquid solution. Each injection contains a single dose.

You’ll receive Dupixent as an injection under your skin.

“You can get Dupixent injections at the healthcare professional’s office. You can give the injection to yourself if you want to.”

You can view step-by-step injection instructions for Dupixent injections on the manufacturer’s website.

Dupixent injection sites

You can choose from one of the following injection sites.

  • thigh
  • belly, but not within 2 inches of your belly button
  • outer upper arm, but only if a caregiver gives the injection to you

When you choose your injection site, avoid areas of skin that are painful, bruised, or scarred. Also, it’s best to choose a different site each time you inject Dupixent.

Taking Dupixent with other drugs

Doctors often prescribe Dupixent along with other drugs.

Some drugs that you may take with Dupixent include:

If you have questions about taking other drugs, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Questions about taking Dupixent

Here are answers to questions about taking Dupixent.

  • Should I take Dupixent with food? Since you’ll inject Dupixent under your skin, when you eat does not affect how the drug works in your body.
  • What should I know about storing Dupixent? How long can it stay out of the refrigerator? You should keep Dupixent in the refrigerator at a temperature of 36°F to 46°F (2°C to 8°C). After you take Dupixent out of the refrigerator, you should let the drug come to room temperature before injecting it. Depending on which form you use, you may have to leave it out of the refrigerator for 30 or 45 minutes. Dupixent can be kept at room temperature (up to 77°F or 25°C) for up to 14 days. After that, it must be discarded. Be sure to keep Dupixent in its original carton to protect the drug from light.
  • How do you stop taking Dupixent? If you and your doctor decide that you’ll end Dupixent treatment, you simply won’t inject any further doses. There are no special instructions for stopping Dupixent.

Questions for your doctor

You may have questions about Dupixent. Discuss your concerns with your doctor.

Here are a few tips that might help you.

  • Before your appointment, write down questions such as:
    • How will Dupixent affect me?
  • Bring someone with you to your appointment to make you feel more comfortable.
  • “If you don’t understand something, ask your doctor to explain it to you.”

Your doctor and other healthcare professionals are available to help you. They want you to get the best care possible. Do not be afraid to ask questions or give feedback.

Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Dupixent that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.

Form

Dupixent is a liquid solution. Each injection contains a single dose.

You’ll receive Dupixent as an injection under your skin.

“You can get Dupixent injections at the healthcare professional’s office. You can give the injection to yourself if you want to.”

Recommended dosage

You will start with a loading dose. A medication is started at a higher dose than the next one. The more drug you take the faster you can relieve your symptoms.

The doctor will give you a loading dose. It includes two injections in your body.

Your dosing schedule for Dupixent will be based on the condition it’s being used to treat and Your age.. For instance:

  • In adults, the dosage for atopic dermatitis (eczema) is a loading dose of Dupixent, followed by one dose every other week.
  • In adults, the dosage for asthma is a loading dose of Dupixent, followed by one dose every other week.
  • In adults, the dosage for chronic sinusitis is one dose of Dupixent every other week. There isn’t a loading dose recommended for this condition.
  • In children, pediatric dosages are as follows:
    • Children with eczema receive a loading dose of Dupixent, followed by one dose every 4 weeks.
    • Children with asthma get a loading dose of Dupixent and one every other week.
    • Children with asthma receive a dose of Dupixent every 4 weeks.

You can see more details about Dupixent’s dosage in this article.

Questions about Dupixent’s dosage

There are many questions about Dupixent.

  • What if I miss a dose of Dupixent? If you miss your dose of Dupixent, inject the dose within 7 days of missing it. But if you miss your dose by more than 7 days, skip the missed dose. Then, wait until it’s time to take your next scheduled dose of Dupixent.
  • Will I need to use Dupixent long term? Dupixent is meant to be used long term. If you and your doctor decide that Dupixent is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.
  • How long does Dupixent take to work? Dupixent begins to work in your body after the first injection. But it may be a few weeks to months before you notice symptom relief.

Costs of prescription drugs can vary depending on many factors. These factors include what your insurance plan covers and which pharmacy you use. To find current prices for Dupixent in your area, visit WellRx.com.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also visit the Dupixent manufacturer’s website to see support options.

If you have certain forms of Dupixent, your doctor may prescribe it.

Dupixent treats these conditions by targeting a very specific part of your immune system. Read on to learn more about these conditions and how Dupixent is used for them.

Moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (eczema)

Dupixent is used for people with eczema. It is prescribed when the skin medications are not working well to control the symptoms of the disease. It is also an option to try when those drugs are not used.

With eczema, you have dry, itchy skin patches that can flare up into rashes. Certain triggers, such as scented soaps or detergents, can cause eczema flare-ups. Eczema is a skin condition that’s most common in children, but it can also continue into adulthood.

To treat eczema, Dupixent can be used alone or with corticosteroids applied to the skin.

Moderate to severe asthma

Dupixent is used as an add-on treatment for certain types of asthma in adults and children ages 6 years and older. (As an add-on treatment, it’s used together with one or more other medications.) These types of asthma include:

  • eosinophilic asthma, which is asthma associated with high levels of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) in your body
  • asthma that must be treated with corticosteroids taken by mouth, such as prednisone

Asthma is a chronic (long-term) condition that causes inflammation (swelling) and narrowing of your airways. Symptoms of asthma can include:

Certain triggers, such as exercise or cold weather, can cause asthma symptoms to suddenly become severe. This is called an asthma attack.

It’s important to note that Dupixent should not be used to treat an asthma attack. Instead, you should use a rescue inhaler to ease asthma attack symptoms. Albuterol (ProAir HFA, Ventolin HFA) is an example of a rescue inhaler.

Chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps

Chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps can be treated with dupixent. Polyps are growths on your nose. People who are already using other treatments but have their symptoms still not well managed can be treated with dupixent. It is used with one or more other medications.

Your sinuses are the hollow spaces located behind your nose, forehead, and cheekbones. Sinusitis occurs when your sinuses become inflamed (swollen) due to allergies, recurrent sinus infections, or other causes. Sinusitis symptoms usually include:

If you have sinusitis for longer than 3 months, it’s considered chronic sinusitis. Over time, nasal polyps can form in inflamed sinus tissue. They can make it more difficult to breathe through your nose.

Dupixent is used with more than one treatment for this condition.

Find answers to questions about Dupixent.

Is Dupixent used to treat cancer, dyshidrotic eczema, alopecia, or psoriasis?

No, Dupixent is only approved to treat atopic dermatitis (eczema), asthma, and chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps. To learn about these conditions, see the “What is Dupixent used for?” section above.

But it’s possible that healthcare professionals may prescribe this drug off-label for other conditions. (With off-label use, a drug is used to treat a condition other than those it was approved for.)

If you have questions about Dupixent, you should talk to your doctor.

Can Dupixent cause weight gain, hair loss, diarrhea, or headache?

Dupixent should not cause weight gain, hair loss, diarrhea, or headache. These problems weren’t reported as side effects during studies of the drug.

Keep in mind that other drugs may be used along with Dupixent. These drugs, such as corticosteroids, often cause multiple side effects.

If you have concerns about the side effects of Dupixent, talk to your doctor.

Where can I find before and after pictures for Dupixent treatment?

You can view results from Dupixent treatment in adults and children with eczema on Dupixent’s manufacturer’s website.

How does Dupixent work? And what’s its half-life?

Eczema, asthma, and chronic sinusitis are all worsened by inflammation (swelling in your body). Dupixent helps to reduce symptoms of these conditions by reducing inflammation.

Specifically, Dupixent’s mechanism of action is to block certain proteins from binding to their receptors (attachment sites) in your immune system. These proteins are called interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13).

When IL-4 and IL-13 bind to their receptors, your immune system releases cytokines. The release of cytokines leads to inflammation.

The exact half-life of Dupixent isn’t known. (A drug’s half-life is the time it takes for your body to clear half of a dose of the drug.) But it takes about 3 months for Dupixent to be fully cleared from your system.

Is Dupixent an immunosuppressant? Does it lower the activity of your immune system?

No, Dupixent is not an immunosuppressant. Instead, it’s a monoclonal antibody drug, which works on very specific targets within your immune system.

Dupixent isn’t known to weaken your immune system in a way that makes it easier for you to get infections. Instead, the drug reduces inflammation signals in your immune system that can cause eczema, asthma, and chronic sinusitis. (These are conditions Dupixent is used to treat.)

Keep in mind that inflammation signals are important for your immune system to respond to certain vaccines. For information about receiving vaccines during Dupixent treatment, see “Interactions with vaccines” in the “Does Dupixent have any interactions?” section below.

If you have questions about the effects of Dupixent on your immune system, you should talk to your doctor.

How does Dupixent compare with Fasenra and Nucala?

Dupixent, Fasenra, and Nucala are similar in that they’re all monoclonal antibodies drugs. (Monoclonal antibodies are large proteins that work on specific targets within your immune system.) These three medications are used for some of the same conditions, but they also have some different uses. And they contain different active drugs.

For instance, they’re all used to treat eosinophilic asthma in adults and some children.

Nucala is used to treat other conditions.

  • There is a disease with polyangiitis.
  • Some people have hypereosinophilic syndrome.

Dupixent is also used for that.

For more information on Dupixent’s uses, see the “What is Dupixent used for?” section above.

Your healthcare professional can discuss the risks and benefits of treatment with you.

Taking medications, vaccines, foods, and other things with a certain drug can affect how the drug works. These effects are called interactions.

Before taking Dupixent, you should tell your doctor about all your medications. You should make a list of vitamins, herbs, and supplements. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions that may occur.

Interactions with drugs or supplements

There are no known interactions between Dupixent and other drugs. Dupixent is a monoclonal antibody. It is broken down into pieces.

Most other types of drugs are broken down by your liver, where they can interact with each other. Since Dupixent isn’t broken down in the liver, drug interactions aren’t a concern with it.

If you have questions about taking Dupixent, you can talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Interactions with vaccines

Dupixent reduces inflammation by blocking certain signals within your immune system. This is how the drug works to treat eczema, asthma, and chronic sinusitis.

These signals are important for your immune system to respond to vaccines. Live vaccines have weakened versions of the viruses.

“You should not get live vaccines while you are receiving Dupixent. If your immune system doesn’t respond in the way you want it to, you could get a live vaccine to protect you from the disease.”

Make sure your vaccines are up to date by talking to your doctor. If you need live vaccines, they will likely have you wait at least 4 weeks after getting them to start Dupixent.

Live vaccines include:

While you are receiving Dupixent, you should get non-live vaccines. Non-live vaccines include:

If you have questions about getting vaccines, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Before you take Dupixent, talk to your doctor about your health and any medical conditions you may have. Your doctor can tell you if this drug is safe. Those described below are factors to consider.

Taking or stopping steroid medications

If you’re taking Dupixent, your doctor will likely prescribe additional medications for your condition, such as corticosteroids. Examples include oral prednisone, inhaled fluticasone (Flovent) or budesonide (Pulmicort), and nasal fluticasone (Flonase).

You should not suddenly stop taking steroid drugs. Doing so may cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, or fatigue (lack of energy). If your doctor recommends you stop taking a steroid, talk with them about how to slowly lower your dosage before completely stopping the drug.

Also, if you have asthma and take a steroid by mouth, Dupixent may increase your risk of problems related to eosinophilia. (With eosinophilia, you have an increased level of eosinophils, which are a type of white blood cell that cause swelling.) Rarely, severe vasculitis (swelling throughout your blood vessels) has occurred with eosinophilia.

If you have asthma, talk to your doctor about steroids. They may be watching you while you are receiving this drug.

Eye or vision problems

Symptoms of eye or vision problems can be caused by dupixent. It is important to have eye exams while taking Dupixent. If you have any eye symptoms or vision changes while taking this drug, you should talk with your doctor.

Parasitic infections

If you have a parasite (worm) infection, such as tapeworm or roundworm, you’ll need treatment for it before you start using Dupixent. If you get a worm infection during Dupixent treatment, your doctor may recommend you stop taking the drug until the infection has been treated.

“Dupixent wasn’t studied in people with worm infections. It is not known if Dupixent will affect your immune system’s ability to clear this type of infection.”

Joint pain

Joint pain can be a side effect of Dupixent. The drug can also make any existing joint pain worse. Tell your doctor if you have a history of joint pain or if you experience new or worsening joint pain while taking Dupixent. They might recommend seeing a specialist or stopping Dupixent treatment if your symptoms don’t get better.

Vaccines

Make sure all your vaccines are up to date before you start Dupixent treatment. Your doctor can help make sure you have all the vaccines you need for Your age.. This is important because some vaccines aren’t safe to receive with Dupixent. See “Interactions with vaccines” in the “Does Dupixent have any interactions?” section just above for details.

Asthma attacks

With asthma, symptoms such as The breath was very thin. and wheezing can become suddenly severe. This is called an asthma attack. Dupixent should not be used to stop an asthma attack. Instead, a rescue inhaler, such as albuterol (ProAir HFA, Ventolin HFA), should be used.

Allergic reaction

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Dupixent or any of its ingredients, you should not take Dupixent. Ask your doctor about other treatment options that would be safer for you.

Alcohol may cause harmful interactions when taken with certain drugs, but Dupixent isn’t one of them.

If you are wondering how much alcohol is safe to drink, talk to your doctor.

It is not known if Dupixent is safe to take during pregnancies or breastfeeding. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning, you should talk to your doctor. They can recommend the safest way to treat your condition.

If you use Dupixent while pregnant, you might consider joining the drug’s pregnancy registry. A pregnancy registry monitors the health of people who take a certain drug during pregnancy. You can call 877-311-8972 or visit the registry’s website for more information or to sign up. You can also talk with your doctor.

Dupixent (dupilumab) and Xolair (omalizumab) are both biologic drugs. They’re made from living cells rather than chemicals. Both drugs are types of monoclonal antibodies. They work by targeting very specific but different parts of your immune system.

Dupixent works by blocking inflammation signals. Xolair works by blocking a protein that’s involved in allergic reactions.

Dupixent and Xolair are both used to treat certain forms of asthma in adults and some children. They each have other uses, too.

You can learn more about how they are alike and different in this article. Also, be sure to talk with your doctor about which drug is better for you.

Depending on the condition you have, your doctor may recommend a drug other than Dupixent.

Some of the drugs listed below are used off label for these conditions. With off-label use, a drug that’s approved for certain conditions is used for another condition.

Alternatives for atopic dermatitis (eczema)

Other treatments for eczema include:

Alternatives for asthma

Other drugs for asthma include:

Alternatives for chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps

Other treatments for chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps include:

  • Neil Med is a saltwater rinse.
  • nasal steroid sprays, such as Flonase (fluticasone)
  • Singulair is a Montelukast.
  • oral corticosteroids that you take by mouth, such as Rayos (prednisone)

* See the “What should I know about Dupixent vs. Xolair?” section just above for more information.
† See “How does Dupixent compare with Fasenra and Nucala?” in the “What are some frequently asked questions about Dupixent?” section above for more information.

Do not take more than your doctor prescribes. Taking more than this may cause serious side effects.

What to do in case you take too much Dupixent

Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken or received too much Dupixent. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers, or use its online resource. However, if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.

If you have certain forms of eczema, asthma, or sinusitis, your doctor may prescribe Dupixent for you.

When you’re considering using Dupixent, it’s important to talk with your doctor about your treatment plan. It’s common to continue using other treatments for eczema, asthma, or sinusitis with Dupixent. Be sure that you understand which treatments you should continue using. And ask your doctor if there are any you should stop using.

You may also want to discuss other ways to manage your symptoms besides using medication. For example, with eczema, these may include avoiding certain triggers and choosing natural remedies.

When talking with your doctor, you should ask some questions.

  • Will I need to continue using Dupixent for the rest of my life if it works well for me?
  • Is there any vaccine I should get before starting Dupixent?
  • Do my other medical conditions increase my risk for side effects?
  • Can I take ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or other anti-inflammatory pain relievers with Dupixent?

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Q:

I have both eczema and asthma. Will I need to take a higher dosage of Dupixent?

Anonymous

A:

If you have both asthma and eczema, your doctor will probably not prescribe a higher dose of Dupixent.

Studies for Dupixent included some people who had both eczema and asthma. In these studies, the people received the usual recommended dosage of Dupixent. Higher doses of Dupixent have not been studied.

Talk to your doctor about the best dose of Dupixent.

The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.