Opzelura cream in India: How to get the new vitiligo treatment?

Vitiligo is a common condition in India, affecting about 8.8% of the population - the highest prevalence in the world ¹. While there are multiple potential treatments, including phototherapy, there is only one medicine (for now) that can help with skin repigmentation - Opzelura cream. However, it is not yet widely available in India. 

If you're looking for the new treatment for vitiligo, here's what you need to know. Including the price of Opzelura and how to buy it from a reliable supplier in India. 

What is the new treatment for vitiligo in India?

The newest ointment for vitiligo in India (and the world) is Opzelura (ruxolitinib cream). It's a topical treatment intended for adults and children over the age of 12 with nonsegmental vitiligo. 

Opzelura is not a corticosteroid. It is a JAK inhibitor and as such, it reduces inflammation, which in turn leads to less itching and relieves rashes and skin redness. The ointment can be used long-term, including on the face. 

Is Opzelura cream a cure for vitiligo?

No, it is not. However, it is the first (and, currently, only) ointment that has been shown to help with skin repigmentation. A clinical trial among vitiligo patients reported that one third of participants saw 75% improvement in pigmentation on their face after 6 months of using Opzelura. Another 6 months later, 50% of patients had seen a 75% improvement in their face pigmentation ².

Is Opzelura (ruxolitinib cream) available in India?

While Opzelura cream has been approved in the USA, the European Union, and the UK since 2022 and 2023, respectively, it is not yet approved in India. There is also no active application for the marketing authorization of the medicine. Therefore, it's difficult to say when it will be available to Indian patients. 

What is similar to Opzelura cream?

If your doctor suggests that ruxolitinib cream could be beneficial for your vitiligo, you're probably wondering how to find it in India. There are generic versions of Opzelura available online that claim to have the same ingredients as Opzelura cream. One example is Rutinib cream, manufactured by Drug International Ltd in Bangladesh. However, you should always be vigilant if going for an Opzelura alternative. 

Is Rutinib the same as Opzelura?

Looking at the active ingredient, ruxolitinib, the products seem similar. However, please be aware that Rutinib is not the same product as Opzelura. Even if the active ingredient is the same, there may be differences in the overall formulation which may result in a different efficacy and safety profile. 

In addition, while Rutinib cream claims to have been tested in rigorous clinical trials, we could not find any record of these trials or their findings online. That makes it difficult to know how Rutinib's efficacy and safety compare to that of Opzelura cream. 

This being said, if your doctor recommends using Rutinib cream, you should follow their advice. However, stay aware that you are using a different product from Opzelura. 

Where to buy Opzelura cream in India?

While Opzelura (ruxolitinib cream) is not yet approved or available in India, there is a way for you to buy it from a reliable and safe supplier. This is possible thanks to the Named Patient Import regulation in place in many countries in the world, including India. This regulation allows patients to import medicines from abroad in case they are not available in India. In order to qualify for Named Patient Import, these criteria must be met:

• The medicine in question has market approval in another country and is not (yet) approved or available in the patient's country;
• There is no alternative on the local market;
• The medicine is for personal use;
• The patient has a prescription letter from their treating doctor.

What is the price of Opzelura cream?

The final price of a medicine that isn't locally available always depends on several factors, including your location, the amount you need, as well as any importation fees that may apply.

However, to give you an indication, one tube of genuine Opzelura cream (100 g x 15 mg of ruxolitinib/g) costs approximately EUR 1,244 (115910 Rp). While this is a higher price than the locally available Rutinib cream (selling for around EUR 100 (9000 Rp), you can rest assured that you are buying a genuine, FDA- and EMA-approved product that has been tested rigorously for safety and efficacy. 

Do you want to use the Named Patient Import regulation to get Opzelura cream in India? You will first need to consult your treating doctor and get a suitable prescription.

Already have a prescription? Our team can support you with getting Opzelura for you. We specialize in sourcing and delivering medicines not yet approved where you live across the world. Get in touch with us for more information.

References:

1. An observational study of Vitiligo - IJCED. IP Indian Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, Accessed 24 September 2024.
2. Clinical Trial Results | OPZELURA® (ruxolitinib) for Nonsegmental Vitiligo. Opzelura, Accessed 24 September 2024.