Daily Medication Pearl: Ruxolitinib (Opzelura)

Medication Pearl of the Day: Ruxolitinib (Opzelura)

Indication: Ruxolitinib (Opzelura) is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor indicated for the topical short-term and non-continuous chronic treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in non-immunocompromised patients 12 years of age and older whose disease is not adequately controlled with topical prescription therapies or when those therapies are not advisable.

Insight:

• Dosing: Apply a thin layer twice daily to affected areas of up to 20% body surface area. Do not use more than 60 grams per week.
  Dosage forms: Cream 1.5% ruxolitinib.
• Adverse events: The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥1%) are nasopharyngitis, diarrhea, bronchitis, ear infection, eosinophil count increased, urticaria, folliculitis, tonsillitis, and rhinorrhea.
• Mechanism of action: Ruxolitinib inhibits JAK1 and JAK2, which mediate the signaling of a number of cytokines and growth factors that are important for hematopoiesis and immune function. JAK signaling involves recruitment of STATs (signal transducers and activators of transcription) to cytokine receptors, activation and subsequent localization of STATs to the nucleus leading to modulation of gene expression. The relevance of inhibition of specific JAK enzymes to therapeutic efficacy is not currently known.
• Manufacturer: Incyte Corporation

Source:

Prescribing Information | OPZELURA™ (ruxolitinib)