From the Research
Opzelura (ruxolitinib) cream typically takes 3-6 months to show noticeable results for vitiligo, with some patients seeing initial repigmentation within 24 weeks of treatment. The medication is applied as a thin layer twice daily to affected areas, covering up to 10% of body surface area. Patients should continue treatment consistently as directed by their healthcare provider, as premature discontinuation may result in loss of repigmentation. It's essential to understand that response varies between individuals, with facial areas often responding faster than other body parts. Opzelura works by inhibiting Janus kinases (JAK), which helps reduce the immune response that destroys melanocytes in vitiligo.
Key Points to Consider
- Regular follow-up appointments with your dermatologist are essential to monitor progress and adjust treatment if needed.
- Sun protection is also recommended during treatment as UV exposure can both help the repigmentation process and potentially worsen vitiligo in some cases.
- The most common treatment-related adverse events were acne, pruritus, and exfoliation, all at the application site, as reported in the study 1.
- As with orally administered JAK inhibitors, topical ruxolitinib carries boxed warnings in the USA for serious infections, mortality, malignancy, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), and thrombosis, although the incidences were low with topical application, as noted in the study 1.
Treatment Efficacy and Safety
The efficacy and safety of Opzelura (ruxolitinib) cream for the treatment of non-segmental vitiligo have been demonstrated in identical phase III TRuE-V1 and TRuE-V2 trials, as discussed in the study 1.
- Significantly more ruxolitinib cream recipients achieved statistically significant and clinically meaningful facial and total body repigmentation, as well as reductions in vitiligo noticeability, compared with vehicle recipients.
- Efficacy was sustained in longer-term analyses to week 104 of treatment.
- Ruxolitinib 1.5% cream was generally tolerable in these trials.