Drug used to treat eczema may provide relief for patients with intensely itchy skin diseases

Medical Xpress / University of Maryland School of Medicine / JAMA Dermatology ^ | June 6, 2024 | Holly Moody-Porter / Shawn G. Kwatra et al

[ConservativeMind]

A drug approved to treat eczema provided significant improvement in the symptoms of patients with severe itching diseases that currently have no targeted treatments, according to a study.

The drug, abrocitinib, was found to cause minimal side effects during a small 12-week study. It was beneficial for those with an itching disease called prurigo nodularis as well as for those with chronic pruritus of unknown origin, a condition that causes chronic unexplainable itching symptoms.

Prurigo nodularis causes dozens of extremely itchy and disfiguring bumps, usually on the chest, arms, and legs.

Chronic pruritus of unknown origin is most prevalent among older adults and causes severe itching lasting longer than six weeks. Current therapies used to help manage symptoms include prescription itch relief ointments and anti-inflammatory drugs. None of these medications, however, provide sustained relief.

The study involved 20 patients, half of whom had prurigo nodularis and half of whom had chronic pruritus of unknown origin. They were all given a 200-milligram pill of abrocitinib once a day for 12 weeks; the patients knew they were being given an experimental treatment, and the study did not include a placebo group.

Abrocitinib was found to reduce itching and pain symptoms by 78% in the prurigo nodularis patients. Patients with chronic pruritus of unknown origin experienced a 54% reduction in itching and pain symptoms. Patients in both groups also reported an improvement in their quality of life and in their sleep habits.

None of the patients experienced serious adverse events. The most common side effect, in 10% of patients, was small acne-like bumps.

Abrocitinib is a JAK1 inhibitor drug that works to suppress inflammation, specifically pro-inflammatory chemicals called cytokines that are involved in an overactive immune system. The drugs appear to slow down immune activity by suppressing intracellular signaling of these cytokines.

[ConservativeMind]

Cibinqo is the retail drug name. It is quite expensive. It is possible a less expensive JAK1 inhibitor could help.

At least there is a way to now address the constant inflammation, with a drug.

Do note this issue is from an overactive immune system. You can reduce a reasonable amount of inflammation with diet and exercise.

[ConservativeMind]

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[cyclotic]

I took Ivermectin for Covid. (Newsflash: it worked). It also cleared my eczema for months.

But, it’s politically incorrect. My doc prescribed it but the stupid leeches at the insurance company are apparently smarter.

[null and void]

Dang. I did a double take. At first glance, I read your Dr. prescribed leaches...

[waterhill]

Never take any drug with tinib. It is a blocker with bad side effects. I mean bad.

I love my horse paste. My psoriasis is gone, my arthritis is gone.

Ivermectin has healed so many people it’s crazy.

Thanks for the post, God’s blessings on you.

[waterhill]

Jak1 blockers will make a person nuts.

[metmom]

The drug, abrocitinib, was found to cause minimal side effects during a small 12-week study.

And just how many drugs take years to expose the long term effects?

Twelve weeks is next to pointless.

[lizma2]

BKMK

[BenLurkin]

ISS astronauts living with drug-resistant ‘superbug’ that mutated in orbit, bombshell study reveals
https://www.the-sun.com/tech/11609432/iss-astronauts-living-with-mutated-superbug-in-orbit/