OPZELURA™ (ruxolitinib) cream

Gafacom April 09, 2023

OPZELURA (ruxolitinib)

Ruxolitinib phosphate is a Janus kinase inhibitor with the chemical name (R)-3-(4-(7H­pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-3-cyclopentylpropanenitrile phosphate and a molecular weight of 404.36 g/mol.

Ruxolitinib phosphate is a white to off-white to light yellow to light pink powder.

OPZELURA (ruxolitinib) cream is a white to off-white oil-in-water, solubilized emulsion cream for topical use.

Each gram of OPZELURA contains 15 mg of ruxolitinib (equivalent to 19.8 mg of ruxolitinib phosphate) in a cream containing cetyl alcohol, dimethicone 350, edetate disodium, glyceryl stearate SE, light mineral oil, medium chain triglycerides, methylparaben, phenoxyethanol, polyethylene glycol 200, polysorbate 20, propylene glycol, propylparaben, stearyl alcohol, purified water, white petrolatum, and xanthan gum.

OPZELURA™ (ruxolitinib) cream


Mechanism of Action

Ruxolitinib, a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, inhibits JAK1 and JAK2 which mediate the signaling of a number of cytokines and growth factors that are important for hematopoiesis and immune function. JAK signaling involves recruitment of STATs (signal transducers and activators of transcription) to cytokine receptors, activation and subsequent localization of STATs to the nucleus leading to modulation of gene expression. The relevance of inhibition of specific JAK enzymes to therapeutic effectiveness is not currently known.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Atopic Dermatitis: OPZELURA is indicated for the topical short-term and non-continuous chronic treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in non-immunocompromised adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older whose disease is not adequately controlled with topical prescription therapies or when those therapies are not advisable.

Nonsegmental Vitiligo: OPZELURA is indicated for the topical treatment of nonsegmental vitiligo in adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older.

Limitations of Use

Use of OPZELURA in combination with therapeutic biologics, other JAK inhibitors, or potent immunosuppressants such as azathioprine or cyclosporine is not recommended.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

Do not use more than one 60 gram tube per week or one 100 gram tube per 2 weeks. OPZELURA is for topical use only. OPZELURA is not for intraocular, oral, or intravaginal use.

Recommended Dosage for Atopic Dermatitis

Instruct patients to apply a thin layer of OPZELURA twice daily to affected areas of up to 20% body surface area.

Stop using when signs and symptoms (e.g., itch, rash, and redness) of atopic dermatitis resolve. If signs and symptoms do not improve within 8 weeks, patients should be re-examined by their healthcare provider.

Recommended Dosage for Nonsegmental Vitiligo

Instruct patients to apply a thin layer of OPZELURA twice daily to affected areas of up to 10% body surface area.

Satisfactory patient response may require treatment with OPZELURA for more than 24 weeks. If the patient does not find the repigmentation meaningful by 24 weeks, the patient should be re-evaluated by the healthcare provider.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

None.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Serious Infections: Serious and sometimes fatal infections due to bacterial, mycobacterial, invasive fungal, viral, or other opportunistic pathogens have been reported in patients receiving oral Janus kinase inhibitors.

Serious lower respiratory tract infections were reported in the clinical development program with topical ruxolitinib.

Avoid use of OPZELURA in patients with an active, serious infection, including localized infections. Consider the risks and benefits of treatment prior to initiating OPZELURA in patients:

  • with chronic or recurrent infection
  • with a history of a serious or an opportunistic infection
  • who have been exposed to tuberculosis
  • who have resided or traveled in areas of endemic tuberculosis or endemic mycoses; or
  • with underlying conditions that may predispose them to infection.

Closely monitor patients for the development of signs and symptoms of infection during and after treatment with OPZELURA. Interrupt OPZELURA if a patient develops a serious infection, an opportunistic infection, or sepsis. Do not resume OPZELURA until the infection is controlled.

Mortality: In a large, randomized, postmarketing safety study of an oral JAK inhibitor in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients 50 years of age and older with at least one cardiovascular risk factor, a higher rate of all-cause mortality, including sudden cardiovascular death, was observed in patients treated with the JAK inhibitor compared with TNF blockers.

Consider the benefits and risks for the individual patient prior to initiating or continuing therapy with OPZELURA.

Malignancy and Lymphoproliferative Disorders: Malignancies, including lymphomas, were observed in clinical trials of oral JAK inhibitors used to treat inflammatory conditions. Patients who are current or past smokers are at additional increased risk.

Malignancies, including lymphomas, have occurred in patients receiving JAK inhibitors used to treat inflammatory conditions. In a large, randomized, postmarketing safety study of an oral JAK inhibitor in RA patients, a higher rate of malignancies (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) was observed in patients treated with the JAK inhibitor compared to those treated with TNF blockers. A higher rate of lymphomas was observed in patients treated with the JAK inhibitor compared to those treated with TNF blockers. A higher rate of lung cancers was observed in current or past smokers treated with the JAK inhibitor compared to those treated with TNF blockers. In this study, current or past smokers had an additional increased risk of overall malignancies.

Consider the benefits and risks for the individual patient prior to initiating or continuing therapy with OPZELURA, particularly in patients with a known malignancy (other than successfully treated non-melanoma skin cancers), patients who develop a malignancy when on treatment, and patients who are current or past smokers.

Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE): In a large, randomized, postmarketing safety study of an oral JAK inhibitor in RA patients 50 years of age and older with at least one cardiovascular risk factor, a higher rate of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) defined as cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), and non-fatal stroke was observed with the JAK inhibitor compared to those treated with TNF blockers. Patients who are current or past smokers are at additional increased risk.

Consider the benefits and risks for the individual patient prior to initiating or continuing therapy with OPZELURA, particularly in patients who are current or past smokers and patients with other cardiovascular risk factors. Patients should be informed about the symptoms of serious cardiovascular events and the steps to take if they occur. Discontinue OPZELURA in patients that have experienced a myocardial infarction or stroke.

Thrombosis: Thromboembolic events were observed in clinical trials with OPZELURA.

Thrombosis, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), and arterial thrombosis have been reported in patients receiving JAK inhibitors used to treat inflammatory conditions. Many of these adverse reactions were serious and some resulted in death.

Avoid OPZELURA in patients who may be at increased risk of thrombosis. If symptoms of thrombosis occur, discontinue OPZELURA and evaluate and treat patients appropriately.

Thrombocytopenia, Anemia, and Neutropenia: Thrombocytopenia, anemia, and neutropenia were reported in the clinical trials with OPZELURA. Consider the benefits and risks for individual patients who have a known history of these events prior to initiating therapy with OPZELURA. Perform CBC monitoring as clinically indicated. If signs and/or symptoms of clinically significant thrombocytopenia, anemia, and neutropenia occur, patients should discontinue OPZELURA.

Lipid Elevations: Treatment with oral ruxolitinib has been associated with increases in lipid parameters including total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides.

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

Pregnancy: Available data from pregnancies reported in clinical trials with OPZELURA are not sufficient to evaluate a drug-associated risk for major birth defects, miscarriage, or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. In animal reproduction studies, oral administration of ruxolitinib to pregnant rats and rabbits during the period of organogenesis resulted in adverse developmental outcomes at doses associated with maternal toxicity.

Lactation: There are no data on the presence of ruxolitinib in human milk, the effects on the breastfed child, or the effects on milk production. Ruxolitinib was present in the milk of lactating rats. When a drug is present in animal milk, it is likely that the drug will be present in human milk.

Because of the serious adverse findings in adults, including risks of serious infections, thrombocytopenia, anemia, and neutropenia, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with OPZELURA and for approximately four weeks after the last dose (approximately 5-6 elimination half-lives).

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