Uses

Indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with refractory, moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis whose disease is not adequately controlled with other systemic therapies, including biologics, or when those therapies are inadvisable.

Do not use if

Contraindicated in patients taking antiplatelet therapies (except low-dose aspirin ≤81 mg/day) during the first 3 months of treatment.

Side effects

Common adverse effects include nausea, headache, acne, and herpes simplex reactivation. Serious risks include serious infections, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), thrombosis, malignancy, and increased mortality (particularly in older rheumatoid arthritis patients — a class effect of JAK inhibitors).

Warnings

Carries a boxed warning for serious infections, increased mortality, malignancy and lymphoproliferative disorders, MACE, and thrombosis. Not recommended in combination with other potent immunosuppressants. Screen for tuberculosis and viral hepatitis prior to initiation. Avoid live vaccines during treatment.

How it works

Abrocitinib is a selective, reversible JAK1 inhibitor that blocks the ATP-binding site of JAK1, with selectivity over JAK2 (28-fold), JAK3 (>340-fold), and TYK2 (43-fold). By inhibiting JAK1, it attenuates cytokine signaling involved in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis, including IL-4, IL-13, and IL-31 pathways.

Storage

Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursions permitted between 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F). Keep in original child-resistant package.