Struggling with eczema that just won’t quit, especially on your face and neck? A recent study highlights the potential benefits of upadacitinib, a medication that could be an effective option for those hard-to-treat areas.
- In the study, participants reported improvements in the severity of their symptoms and their overall quality of life.
- No participants reported side effects from upadacitinib during the 12-week study.
Upadacitinib (Rinvoq) is a drug that works by inhibiting the inflammatory pathways involved in atopic dermatitis, commonly known as eczema. It’s mostly used for moderate-to-severe symptoms. A recent study has found that upadacitinib was effective for patients who previously used dupilumab (Dupixent) but experienced persistent symptoms on their face and neck.
What Did the Study Discover?
The study, published in a letter to the eitor in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment, involved six patients between the ages of 12 and 35 years, of whom three were male and three were female. They all had eczema that wasn’t responding to dupilumab, specifically on their face and neck. The participants received a 15-mg dose of upadacitinib daily for three months. Researchers used various symptom questionnaires to measure how well the treatment was working.
The results? By just the fourth week, there had been significant improvement. By the end of 12 weeks, everyone saw at least a 75% reduction in their eczema symptoms, and half even had a 90% reduction, according to their symptom questionnaire scores. This indicates that the participants were experiencing less itching and were generally happier with their skin. The researchers also found a reduction in inflammation markers in their blood.
Is It Safe, Though?
The study kept a close watch for side effects and conducted regular lab tests. The good news is that no one had any bad reactions to the medication. Further studies involving a larger patient sample size are worth pursuing to gain more clinical data.
What Does This Mean for You?
If you’ve been living with persistent eczema on your face and neck, upadacitinib could be the missing puzzle piece in your treatment plan that may help reduce your symptoms and make life a little more comfortable.
Source:
Yan, Y., Chen, J., Yu, N., Ke, Y., Gao, A., Xiong, S., Zhao, X. F., Liu, Y., & Zhu, H. (2023). Effectiveness and safety of upadacitinib in patients with face and neck atopic dermatitis unresponsive to dupilumab. Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 34(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/09546634.2023.2242540
