Opzelura (ruxolitinib) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for certain skin conditions in adults and some children. Opzelura comes as a topical cream that’s typically applied to the skin twice per day. The dosage may vary.
Opzelura is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat the following in adults and children ages 12 years and older:
- Mild to moderate atopic dermatitis (eczema) when your immune system is working as it should. Opzelura is approved when other topical treatments haven’t worked or can’t be used.
- Nonsegmental vitiligo (patchy loss of skin pigment due to a problem with your immune system).
Opzelura belongs to a drug class called Janus kinase inhibitors. Opzelura is not available in a generic version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Opzelura, including its strength and how to use the medication. For a comprehensive look at Opzelura, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for Opzelura provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When using Opzelura, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
Boxed warnings
This drug has boxed warnings about risk of blood clots, cardiovascular problems, cancer, serious infections, and death. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
Blood clots: People using Opzelura have gotten blood clots in their lungs, legs, and arteries. Some of these blood clots have caused hospitalization or even death. Tell your doctor if you’ve had blood clots in the past. Symptoms of a blood clot can include:
Cardiovascular problems: Opzelura can cause heart and blood vessel problems, including heart attack and stroke, which may lead to death. Your risk may be greater if you:
Symptoms of a heart attack or stroke can include:
Talk with your doctor about your risk for cardiovascular problems while taking Opzelura.
Cancer: People taking Opzelura have developed lymphoma, skin cancer, and other types of cancer. Your risk may be greater if you smoke now or have smoked in the past. Tell your doctor if you’ve had any type of cancer in the past.
Serious infections: People taking Opzelura have gotten serious bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, including tuberculosis (TB). For this reason, doctors typically won’t prescribe Opzelura if you have a serious active infection. Symptoms of infection can include:
Let your doctor know if you are being treated for an infection or if you have any symptoms of an infection.
Increased risk of death: Opzelura is a Janus kinase inhibitor. In studies of other drugs in this class, people with rheumatoid arthritis and certain heart and blood vessel problems who were ages 50 years and older had an increased risk of death. Tell your doctor if you have any heart or blood vessel problems before starting Opzelura.
For more information, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Show MoreRead below for recommended dosages of Opzelura and other details about the drug.
Opzelura form
Opzelura comes as a topical cream that you apply to your skin.
Opzelura strength
Opzelura comes in one strength of 1.5%.
Typical dosages
The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended. However, be sure to use the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for atopic dermatitis
Doctors may prescribe Opzelura to treat atopic dermatitis.
If your doctor prescribes Opzelura for atopic dermatitis, you’ll apply a thin layer of the cream to the affected areas of your skin twice per day. You can use Opzelura on up to 20% of your body surface area. One handprint is equal to about 1% of your body surface area. The maximum amount of Opzelura that may be applied is one 60-gram (g) tube per week or one 100-g tube every 2 weeks.
For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.
Dosage for vitiligo
Opzelura is also approved to treat vitiligo. You’ll apply a thin layer of the cream to the affected areas of your skin twice per day. In this case, you can use Opzelura on up to 10% of your body surface area. One handprint is equal to about 1% of your body surface area. The maximum amount of Opzelura that may be applied is one 60-g tube per week or one 100-g tube every 2 weeks.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage.
Children’s dosage
Opzelura is approved to treat atopic dermatitis and vitiligo in children ages 12 years and older.
The dosage is the same as the dosage for adults. See “Typical dosages” above for details.
Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.
How to use Opzelura
Opzelura comes as a cream that you apply to your skin. Do not apply Opzelura to your eyes or inside your mouth or vagina. Apply a thin layer of Opzelura cream to the affected areas of skin twice per day. Wash your hands after applying Opzelura, unless you are treating your hands.
If you have questions about how to use Opzelura, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. There are also step-by-step instructions on the manufacturer’s website.
Try to apply Opzelura at the same time each day. This helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body so Opzelura can work effectively. You can set a reminder on your phone to help you.
Long-term treatment
How long you will use Opzelura depends on your condition and how your body responds to the medication.
For atopic dermatitis, you’ll stop using Opzelura when the itching, rash, and skin discoloration go away. If your symptoms haven’t improved after 8 weeks of treatment, contact your doctor.
For vitiligo, follow your doctor’s recommendation for how long to apply Opzelura. If you’ve used it for 24 weeks and your symptoms have not improved, contact your doctor.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about how long you can expect to take Opzelura.
ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELSSome pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
It’s important that you do not use more Opzelura than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, using more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
If you use more than the recommended amount of Opzelura
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve used too much Opzelura. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
