Can Opzelura be used with Dupixent?

Some atopic dermatitis patients treated with Dupixent (dupilumab) seem to not fully respond to the treatment. Or, they seem to relapse after initial success ¹. If that's your case, you may be wondering if other medicines, such as Opzelura, can be combined with your Dupixent treatment to boost results. 

With Opzelura's recent FDA approval as a treatment for atopic dermatitis, many patients like you are wondering the same ².

Here's everything you might need to know about using Opzelura and Dupixent together.

Does Opzelura interact with Dupixent?

There is no known interaction reported between Opzelura (ruxolitimab) and Dupixent (dupilumab). The use of Opzelura and Dupixent together has not yet been clinically studied ³.

Please be aware, the Opzelura prescribing information of the manufacturer advises against the use of Opzelura alongside Dupixent. This advice is based on caution rather than any evidence of a negative interaction between the two medicines, but you and your doctor should still take it into account.

Can a doctor prescribe Opzelura to be used with Dupixent?

The short answer is yes, a physician is allowed to make that judgment call, and some dermatologists in the USA are doing so ^4,5,6.

According to Michael Cameron, MD, the Opzelura label is currently very restrictive ⁶. At the moment, there is no data to demonstrate a negative interaction between Opzelura and Dupixent. At the same time, the combined treatment can, according to Dr. Cameron, have positive clinical results in some patients ^4,5. 

Why would Opzelura be used with Dupixent?

Dupixent has been in use since its FDA approval in 2017. During this time, some patients with an overall good response to the treatment have reported residual or worsening dermatitis, especially on their face ⁷.

In some cases, prescribing a topical treatment alongside Dupixent can help. However, topical corticosteroids are typically not advised to use on areas with thinner skin, such as the face. Meaning they are not an option for all patients.

Additionally, there may be further reasons for the doctor or patient to want to steer away from a steroid cream.

Opzelura is not a corticosteroid and can, according to the label, be applied to the face and other sensitive skin areas. These could be reasons for your treating doctor to consider prescribing it alongside Dupixent. 

What are the risks of using Opzelura and Dupixent together?

Health risks

Since there is no official clinical trial studying the effects of using Opzelura with Dupixent, there is no scientific data on the potential risks of doing so. That's why a decision to use the two medicines together can only be made by your treating doctor. They will take into account your personal situation and advise on the most suitable course of action.

Insurance coverage risks

One non-medical risk you should consider is the potential impact on insurance coverage. Some healthcare insurance companies may refuse coverage for Opzelura if prescribed alongside Dupixent. This is because of Opzelura's prescribing information, which currently advises against such combined use. It's wise to check with your insurance provider before starting the treatment.

Accessing Opzelura

Is Opzelura approved in your country for use in atopic dermatitis? Even so, it may be difficult to access the medicine if prescribed by your doctor alongside Dupixent, as that goes against the manufacturer's advice. 

Whatever is making Opzelura unavailable to you or your doctor, Everyone.org can help you access it if you have a prescription. We're specialized in sourcing and delivery of prescribed medicines unapproved or unavailable in a patient's country. Contact us to find out how we can help. 

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References:

1. Pope, Carmen. Can Dupixent cure eczema?. Drugs.com, 15 June 2022.
2. New Drug Therapy Approvals 2022. FDA, 10 January 2023.
3. Scheffel, Elizabeth. Opzelura: Cost, side effects, uses, dosage, and more. Medical News Today, Accessed 29 August 2023.
4. Switching Treatment in AD. Dermatology Times, 23 May 2023.
5. Atopic Dermatitis: Practical Advice on Selecting and Using JAK Inhibitors. Dermatology Times, 16 March 2022.
6. Selecting Appropriate Patient Populations for Ruxolitinib. American Journal of Managed Care, 15 May 2023.
7. Interactions between Malassezia and New Therapeutic Agents in Atopic Dermatitis Affecting Skin Barrier and Inflammation in Recombinant Human Epidermis Model. NCBI, 24 March 2023.