Abrocitinib
Abrocitinib, also known as Cibinqo ®, is a treatment for moderate to severe atopic eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis) in adults and children aged 12 years and older. It’s a type of drug known as a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor. Abrocitinib is taken orally, as a tablet. It calms the immune system and reduces eczema inflammation (red or darker areas of active eczema) and itch.
Who is it for?
Abrocitinib is licensed for the treatment of adults and children aged 12 years and older with moderate to severe atopic eczema who are possible candidates for systemic medication (these are medications that affect the whole body, rather than being localised to a specific area or organ). The more severe the eczema, the more likely you are to be considered for a newer therapy such as abrocitinib.
To be eligible for abrocitinib, you will usually need to have tried at least one systemic immunosuppressive medication (azathioprine, ciclosporin, methotrexate or mycophenolate mofetil) and found that it was not effective for you. You may also be eligible for abrocitinib if you are unable to tolerate the immunosuppressive medications listed above, or if they are not suitable for you.
If you’re aged 65 or older, have an already increased risk of major cardiovascular problems or cancer, or if you smoke or have smoked in the past for a long time, your doctor will only offer you treatment with abrocitinib or another JAK-inhibitor if nothing else is suitable for you. This is because these factors may put you at greater risk of developing certain serious side effects while taking abrocitinib (see ‘What are the risks of abrocitinib?’ below).
How is it taken?
Abrocitinib is taken as a tablet once a day – with or without food, at any time of the day. If it makes you feel sick, it might help to take it with food. Swallow your tablet whole with water. Abrocitinib comes in 50 mg, 100 mg and 200 mg tablets.
Adults will be prescribed a dose of either 100 mg or 200 mg. This daily dose may be increased or decreased depending on how well abrocitinib works for the person taking it.
For children aged 12 years and older, and people aged 65 and older, the recommended dose is 100 mg once daily.
If you have certain medical conditions, such as moderate to severe kidney problems, or you are taking certain other medications, you may be given a daily dose of 50 mg.
Abrocitinib is an ongoing treatment rather than a treatment that is used for a fixed amount of time. If a patient’s eczema has not responded to abrocitinib after 12 weeks of starting the treatment, it may be stopped.
Read the FAQ’s below for details on the checks that are needed before starting abrocitinib.