Atopic Dermatitis Treatment: Rapid Itch Relief With Emerging Therapies
Casey Butrus, PharmD, and Michael Cameron, MD, FAAD, discuss the effectiveness of various therapies for atopic dermatitis (AD). Topical ruxolitinib and oral JAK inhibitors, they note, provide rapid itch relief within days, while systemic therapies like dupilumab also offer fast relief. In contrast, older treatments, such as topical steroids, may have a slower onset of action since they don’t directly target specific itch pathways like newer medications.
Dermatology Pipeline Review: JAK Inhibitors and Skin Condition Treatments
This article provides an overview of the dermatology pipeline, reviewing medications for alopecia areata, atopic dermatitis, and plaque psoriasis, with a focus on JAK inhibitors for alopecia areata. Recent atopic dermatitis approvals include abrocitinib, upadacitinib, dupilumab, and tralokinumab, with lebrikizumab in phase 3 research. Promising plaque psoriasis treatments include deucravacitinib, bimekizumab, and various other options, including gene therapy.
Expert Discussion: Atopic Dermatitis Treatments
Shawn Kwatra, MD, and Peter Lio, MD, discuss new developments in atopic dermatitis (AD) treatments, including promising topical medications like roflumilast and tapinarof, and the role of microbiome modulation in AD management through diet and probiotics. They emphasize the holistic approach to AD treatment, integrating conventional medicine with traditional practices and the growing potential of nutraceuticals.
Guidelines for Atopic Dermatitis Management: Topical Treatments and Phototherapy
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends managing atopic dermatitis with emollients, soap-free cleansers, topical corticosteroids for flare-ups, and topical calcineurin inhibitors like pimecrolimus and tacrolimus. While ultraviolet phototherapy is effective for more severe cases and antistaphylococcal antibiotics can treat secondary infections, oral antihistamines and integrative medicine lack evidence of effectiveness.
Combined Therapy With Dupilumab and Tofacitinib Shows Promise in Severe Atopic Dermatitis
A 35-year-old male with severe atopic dermatitis (AD) saw partial improvement with dupilumab and halobetasol, leading to the addition of the JAK inhibitor tofacitinib. Although this combination cleared his AD, tofacitinib was discontinued due to risks and insurance issues, continuing treatment with only dupilumab. This case emphasizes the importance of risk evaluation and the promise of new JAK inhibitor developments.
