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OPZELURA is indicated for the topical short-term and non-continuous chronic treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in non-immunocompromised adult and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older whose disease is not adequately controlled with topical prescription therapies or when those therapies are not advisable.

Limitations of Use: Use of OPZELURA in combination with therapeutic biologics, other JAK inhibitors, or potent immunosuppressants such as azathioprine or cyclosporine is not recommended.

ADVERSE EVENTS
PROFILE: AGES 2-11

WELL-STUDIED SAFETY PROFILE IN PATIENTS 2-111-5

 

ADVERSE REACTIONS THROUGH 8 WEEKS IN THE TRuE-AD3 PHASE 3 STUDY1*

Common ARs occurring in ≥1%  
patients receiving OPZELURA
OPZELURA  
n = 130
n (%)
Vehicle  
n = 65
n (%)
Upper respiratory tract infection20 (15)7 (11)
COVID-196 (5)2 (3)
Application site reaction6 (5)1 (2)
Pyrexia3 (2)0 (0)
White blood cell decreased§2 (2)0 (0)

*Subjects with cytopenias (defined as hemoglobin <10 g/dL, absolute neutrophil count (ANC) <1000/μL, and platelet count <100,000/μL) at screening were excluded from the trial. The impact of OPZELURA on blood cell counts in this population has not been studied.1

Upper respiratory tract infection includes upper respiratory tract infection, nasopharyngitis, rhinorrhea, oropharyngeal pain, respiratory tract congestion, viral upper respiratory tract infection.1

Application site reaction includes application site pain, application site irritation, application site discomfort, application site pruritus.1

§White blood cell decreased includes white blood cell decreased, leukopenia.1

AR, adverse reaction; COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019.

Low rate of discontinuation 
due to TEAEs: 
0.8% with OPZELURA vs. 0% with vehicle5

 

Well-studied safety and tolerability through 52 weeks2

Common TEAEs occurring in ≥3%
of patients receiving OPZELURA
OPZELURA
n = 159
n (%)
Upper respiratory tract infection23 (14.9)
Nasopharyngitis20 (13.0)
COVID-1911 (7.1)
Gastroenteritis viral7 (4.5)
Otitis media7 (4.5)
Diarrhea6 (3.9)
Ear infection6 (3.9)
Pyrexia6 (3.9)
Vomiting6 (3.9)
 

OPZELURA is for topical short-term and non-continuous use only1

Adverse events through 52 weeks inclusive of 8-week vehicle control and long-term extension periods4

  • Safety data from the 44-week extension study are not included in the Prescribing Information for OPZELURA
  • No conclusions of safety should be made based on these results
  • Adverse reaction rates observed in clinical trials and long-term extension studies may not predict the rates observed in a broader patient population in clinical practice

COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019; TEAE, treatment-emergent adverse event.

 

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS2,6

Exposure-adjusted incidence rates of select TEAEs from baseline to Week 522,6*

SELECT TEAEsOPZELURA
E/100 PY (n = 154) 
PY = 112.88
Serious infections0.9
Opportunistic infections0
Tuberculosis0
Herpes zoster0
NMSC0
Other malignancies (excluding NMSC)0
Major adverse cardiovascular events0
Thromboembolic events0
Mortality0
 

Adverse reaction rates observed in clinical trials and LTE studies may not predict the rates observed in a broader patient population in clinical practice.

Exposure-adjusted incidence rates are presented to support evaluation of safety; however, they do not account for the timing or recurrence of adverse events and may underestimate risk in the presence of time-varying hazards or differential exposure durations.

*Not inclusive of adverse event information collected in earlier phase trials or trials involving other disease states.

E/100 PY, exposure-adjusted incidence rate (the number of patients with the event per 100 patient years of exposure); LTE, long-term extension;

NMSC, non-melanoma skin cancer; PY, patient years of exposure (defined as the duration from first cream application to last application);

TEAE, treatment-emergent adverse event.

Important Safety Information and indication

 

INDICATION

OPZELURA is indicated for the topical short-term and non-continuous chronic treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in non-immunocompromised adult and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older whose disease is not adequately controlled with topical prescription therapies or when those therapies are not advisable.

Limitations of Use: Use of OPZELURA in combination with therapeutic biologics, other JAK inhibitors, or potent immunosuppressants such as azathioprine or cyclosporine is not recommended.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

SERIOUS INFECTIONS
Patients treated with oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors for inflammatory conditions are at risk for developing serious infections that may lead to hospitalization or death. Reported infections include:
  • Active tuberculosis, which may present with pulmonary or extrapulmonary disease.
  • Invasive fungal infections, including cryptococcosis and pneumocystosis.
  • Bacterial, viral, including herpes zoster, and other infections due to opportunistic pathogens.
Avoid use of OPZELURA in patients with an active, serious infection, including localized infections. If a serious infection develops, interrupt OPZELURA until the infection is controlled. Carefully consider the benefits and risks of treatment prior to initiating OPZELURA in patients with chronic or recurrent infection. Closely monitor patients for the development of signs and symptoms of infection during and after treatment with OPZELURA.

Serious lower respiratory tract infections were reported in the clinical development program with topical ruxolitinib.

No cases of active tuberculosis (TB) were reported in clinical trials with OPZELURA. Cases of active TB were reported in clinical trials of oral JAK inhibitors used to treat inflammatory conditions. Consider evaluating patients for latent and active TB infection prior to administration of OPZELURA. During OPZELURA use, monitor patients for the development of signs and symptoms of TB.

Viral reactivation, including cases of herpes virus reactivation (e.g., herpes zoster), were reported in clinical trials with JAK inhibitors used to treat inflammatory conditions including OPZELURA. If a patient develops herpes zoster, consider interrupting OPZELURA treatment until the episode resolves.

Hepatitis B viral load (HBV-DNA titer) increases, with or without associated elevations in alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, have been reported in patients with chronic HBV infections taking oral ruxolitinib. OPZELURA initiation is not recommended in patients with active hepatitis B or hepatitis C.

MORTALITY

In a large, randomized, postmarketing safety study in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients 50 years of age and older with at least one cardiovascular risk factor comparing an oral JAK inhibitor to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker treatment, a higher rate of all-cause mortality, including sudden cardiovascular death, was observed with the JAK inhibitor. Consider the benefits and risks for the individual patient prior to initiating or continuing therapy with OPZELURA.

MALIGNANCIES

Malignancies were reported in patients treated with OPZELURA. Lymphoma and other malignancies have been observed in patients receiving JAK inhibitors used to treat inflammatory conditions. In RA patients treated with an oral JAK inhibitor, a higher rate of malignancies (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC)) was observed when compared with TNF blockers. Patients who are current or past smokers are at additional increased risk.

Consider the benefits and risks for the individual patient prior to initiating or continuing therapy with OPZELURA, particularly in patients with a known malignancy (other than successfully treated non-melanoma skin cancers), patients who develop a malignancy when on treatment, and patients who are current or past smokers.

Non-melanoma skin cancers, including basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, have occurred in patients treated with OPZELURA. Perform periodic skin examinations during OPZELURA treatment and following treatment as appropriate. Exposure to sunlight and UV light should be limited by wearing protective clothing and using broad-spectrum sunscreen.

MAJOR ADVERSE CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS (MACE)

In RA patients 50 years of age and older with at least one cardiovascular risk factor treated with an oral JAK inhibitor, a higher rate of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (defined as cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and stroke), was observed when compared with TNF blockers. Patients who are current or past smokers are at additional increased risk. Discontinue OPZELURA in patients who have experienced a myocardial infarction or stroke.

Consider the benefits and risks for the individual patient prior to initiating or continuing therapy with OPZELURA, particularly in patients who are current or past smokers and patients with other cardiovascular risk factors. Patients should be informed about the symptoms of serious cardiovascular events and the steps to take if they occur. Discontinue OPZELURA in patients that have experienced a myocardial infarction or stroke.

THROMBOSIS

Thromboembolic events were observed in trials with OPZELURA. Thrombosis, including pulmonary embolism (PE), deep venous thrombosis (DVT), and arterial thrombosis have been reported in patients receiving JAK inhibitors used to treat inflammatory conditions. Many of these adverse reactions were serious and some resulted in death. In RA patients 50 years of age and older with at least one cardiovascular risk factor treated with an oral JAK inhibitor, a higher rate of thrombosis was observed when compared with TNF blockers. Avoid OPZELURA in patients at risk. If symptoms of thrombosis occur, discontinue OPZELURA and treat appropriately.

CYTOPENIAS

Thrombocytopenia, anemia, neutropenia, lymphopenia, and leukopenia were reported in the clinical trials with OPZELURA. Consider the benefits and risks for individual patients who have a known history of these events prior to initiating therapy with OPZELURA. Perform CBC monitoring as clinically indicated. Discontinue OPZELURA if signs and/or symptoms associated with clinically significant decreases in laboratory values occur.

Lipid Elevations

Treatment with oral ruxolitinib has been associated with increases in lipid parameters including total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides.

Adverse Reactions

In atopic dermatitis, the most common adverse reactions (≥1%) are nasopharyngitis, bronchitis, ear infection, eosinophil count increased, urticaria, diarrhea, folliculitis, tonsillitis, rhinorrhea, upper respiratory tract infection, COVID-19, application site reaction, pyrexia, and white blood cell decreased.

Pregnancy Registry

There is a pregnancy registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in pregnant persons exposed to OPZELURA during pregnancy. Pregnant persons exposed to OPZELURA and healthcare providers should report OPZELURA exposure by calling 1-855-463-3463 or visiting www.opzelura.pregnancy.incyte.com.

Lactation

Advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with OPZELURA and for approximately four weeks after the last dose (approximately 5-6 elimination half-lives).

Please see Full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning, and Medication Guide for OPZELURA.

Indication

OPZELURA is indicated for the topical short-term and non-continuous chronic treatment of mild to moderate atopic

Important Safety Information

Important Safety Information and indication

Serious Infections

Patients treated with oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors for inflammatory conditions are at risk for developing serious infections that may lead to hospitalization or death. Reported infections include:

Patients treated with oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors for inflammatory conditions are at risk for developing serious infections that may lead to hospitalization or death. Reported infections include:

REFERENCES: 1. OPZELURA Prescribing Information. Wilmington, DE: Incyte Corporation. 2. Data on File. Incyte Corporation. 3. Eichenfield LF, Stein Gold LF, Simpson EL, et al. A phase 3 study of ruxolitinib cream in children aged 2-<12 years with atopic dermatitis (TRuE-AD3): 8-week analysis. Presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Congress; October 11-14, 2023; Berlin, Germany. 4. Eichenfield LF, Stein Gold LF, Simpson EL, et al. 52-week safety and disease control with ruxolitinib cream in children aged 2-11 years with atopic dermatitis: results from the phase 3 TRuE-AD3 study. Presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Congress; September 25-28, 2024; Amsterdam, Netherlands. 5. Eichenfield LF, Stein Gold LF, Simpson EL, et al. Efficacy and safety of ruxolitinib cream in children aged 2 to 11 years with atopic dermatitis: Results from TRuE-AD3, a phase 3, randomized double-blind study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2025;93(3):689-698. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2025.05.1385 6. Rosmarin D, Kircik L, Harris JE, et al. Long-term safety of ruxolitinib in pediatric and adult patients: an analysis of 7 phase 3 clinical trials in atopic dermatitis and nonsegmental vitiligo. Presented at Maui Derm Hawaii; January 20-24, 2025; Maui, HI.