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Why Finding Moments of Clarity Is Key to Managing Eczema

Published on April 16, 2024 at 1:05 PM

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Incyte

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For the 21 million people in the US aged 12 and older who are affected by atopic dermatitis, the most common form of eczema, symptoms like relentless itch, inflammation, and redness can prevent them from living their lives as freely as they may want to. Even celebrities we know and love like actress, singer, and songwriter Mandy Moore know what it's like.

Mandy first began noticing the signs of eczema a few years ago. The skin on her face was inflamed, itchy, and peeling. At first, she chalked it up to the makeup she had to wear on film and TV sets for her work, but when her symptoms persisted, she knew it was something more. "The final straw was when I was experiencing a flare-up and I could not figure out what it was," she says. "I wondered if it was an allergic reaction. I couldn't pinpoint the cause of my symptoms, which finally led me to go to the dermatologist."

As someone who understands the challenges of living with eczema, Mandy is partnering with Incyte on Moments of Clarity to encourage others with the condition to see a dermatologist. Through this program, she is helping to highlight the stories of real people with mild to moderate eczema who found relief from their symptoms, including 12-year-old Anna*.

Similar to Mandy, Anna knows the feeling of being stuck and limited by your own skin all too well. About a year ago, Anna's eczema worsened, especially on her hands and in the creases of her elbows. "Itch was always one of the worst symptoms for me — it would even keep me up at night," Anna shares. Scratching eventually caused her skin to crack and bleed, often leaving her and her mother Rachael* feeling helpless and frustrated. "We did everything we knew to do to help her, from trying different lotions and creams to prescription medications, but nothing provided the relief we were looking for," Rachael says.

For Anna, it was also difficult to experience bothersome symptoms during her regular activities like school, piano, basketball, and cheerleading. "Writing, dribbling a ball, and holding a pom pom would be so uncomfortable and would hurt," Anna shares.

When her flare-ups were especially bad, Anna would ask her mom if she could skip school altogether. "She would tell me I had to go, but that she could wrap [my hand]," Anna says. "Kids at school would then ask me why my hand was wrapped, and sometimes even ask if my eczema was contagious. I just felt stuck."

Anna's road to alleviation began when her dermatologist told her and her mom about OPZELURA® (ruxolitinib) cream 1.5%, a non-steroidal, twice-daily cream that is FDA approved for the short-term and non-continuous treatment of mild to moderate eczema in certain people 12 and older whose disease is not well controlled with topical prescription therapies or when those therapies are not recommended. The use of Opzelura along with therapeutic biologics, other JAK inhibitors, or strong immunosuppressants such as azathioprine or cyclosporine is not recommended. It is not known if Opzelura is safe and effective in children less than 12 years of age with atopic dermatitis.

Opzelura is not for everyone. It can cause side effects, including serious side effects. See below for Opzelura IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION including boxed Warning for Serious Infections, Increased Risk of Death, Lymphoma and other Cancers, Major Cardiovascular Events, and Blood Clots.

"Within a few days of using Opzelura, the itchiness improved, and within a few weeks, the redness improved," Anna says. "I was so happy we found something that works for me. At school, my best friend even noticed that my hand wasn't wrapped anymore." Rachael was just as relieved for her daughter. "Seeing Anna play basketball now without being as bothered by her eczema symptoms is very special and emotional for me," she says.

While Mandy is not prescribed Opzelura, she feels strongly about raising awareness for eczema and is excited to lend her voice to share stories like Anna's. From their experiences, both Anna and Mandy advise others who may be struggling with eczema to ask for help early on. Once a dermatologist is in the picture, patience is also key. "Everyone's journey with eczema is different," Mandy says. "Know that you are not alone and there is help out there."

For those interested in treatment, talk to your dermatologist and visit MyMomentsofClarity.com.

*Last names omitted due to privacy

Spokespeople featured were compensated for their participation.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

OPZELURA is for use on the skin only. Do not use OPZELURA in your eyes, mouth, or vagina.

OPZELURA may cause serious side effects, including:

Serious Infections: OPZELURA contains ruxolitinib. Ruxolitinib belongs to a class of medicines called Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. JAK inhibitors are medicines that affect your immune system. JAK inhibitors can lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections. Some people have had serious infections while taking JAK inhibitors by mouth, including tuberculosis (TB), and infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses that can spread throughout the body. Some people have been hospitalized or died from these infections. Some people have had serious infections of their lungs while taking OPZELURA. Your healthcare provider should watch you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during treatment with OPZELURA.

OPZELURA should not be used in people with an active, serious infection, including localized infections. You should not start using OPZELURA if you have any kind of infection unless your healthcare provider tells you it is okay. You may be at a higher risk of developing shingles (herpes zoster) while using OPZELURA.

Increased risk of death due to any reason (all causes): Increased risk of death has happened in people 50 years of age and older who have at least 1 heart disease (cardiovascular) risk factor and are taking a medicine in the class of medicines called JAK inhibitors by mouth.

Cancer and immune system problems: OPZELURA may increase your risk of certain cancers by changing the way your immune system works. Lymphoma and other cancers have happened in people taking a medicine in the class of medicines called JAK inhibitors by mouth. People taking JAK inhibitors by mouth have a higher risk of certain cancers including lymphoma and lung cancer, especially if they are a current or past smoker. Some people have had skin cancers while using OPZELURA. Your healthcare provider will regularly check your skin during your treatment with OPZELURA. Limit the amount of time you spend in the sunlight. Wear protective clothing when you are in the sun and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen.

Increased risk of major cardiovascular events: Increased risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, or death have happened in people 50 years of age and older who have at least 1 heart disease (cardiovascular) risk factor and taking a medicine in the class of medicines called JAK inhibitors by mouth, especially in current or past smokers.

Blood clots: Blood clots in the veins of your legs (deep vein thrombosis, DVT) or lungs (pulmonary embolism, PE) can happen in some people taking OPZELURA. This may be life-threatening. Blood clots in the vein of the legs (deep vein thrombosis, DVT) and lungs (pulmonary embolism, PE) have happened more often in people who are 50 years of age and older and with at least 1 heart disease (cardiovascular) risk factor taking a medicine in the class of medicines called JAK inhibitors by mouth.

Low blood cell counts: OPZELURA may cause low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia), low red blood cell counts (anemia), and low white blood cell counts (neutropenia). If needed, your healthcare provider will do a blood test to check your blood cell counts during your treatment with OPZELURA and may stop your treatment if signs or symptoms of low blood cell counts happen.

Cholesterol increases: Cholesterol increase has happened in people when ruxolitinib is taken by mouth. Tell your healthcare provider if you have high cholesterol or triglycerides.

Before starting OPZELURA, tell your healthcare provider if you:

have an infection, are being treated for one, or have had an infection that does not go away or keeps coming back
have diabetes, chronic lung disease, HIV, or a weak immune system
have TB or have been in close contact with someone with TB
have had shingles (herpes zoster)
have or have had hepatitis B or C
live, have lived in, or have traveled to certain parts of the country (such as the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys and the Southwest) where there is an increased chance for getting certain kinds of fungal infections. These infections may happen or become more severe if you use OPZELURA. Ask your healthcare provider if you do not know if you have lived in an area where these infections are common.
think you have an infection or have symptoms of an infection such as: fever, sweating, or chills, muscle aches, cough or shortness of breath, blood in your phlegm, weight loss, warm, red, or painful skin or sores on your body, diarrhea or stomach pain, burning when you urinate or urinating more often than usual, feeling very tired.
have ever had any type of cancer, or are a current or past smoker
have had a heart attack, other heart problems, or a stroke
have had blood clots in the veins of your legs or lungs in the past
have high cholesterol or triglycerides
have or have had low white or red blood cell counts
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if OPZELURA will harm your unborn baby. There is a pregnancy exposure registry for individuals who use OPZELURA during pregnancy. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the health of you and your baby. If you become exposed to OPZELURA during pregnancy, you and your healthcare provider should report exposure to Incyte Corporation at 1-855-463-3463.
are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if OPZELURA passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with OPZELURA and for about 4 weeks after the last dose.

After starting OPZELURA:

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms of an infection. OPZELURA can make you more likely to get infections or make worse any infections that you have.
Get emergency help right away if you have any symptoms of a heart attack or stroke while using OPZELURA, including:
- discomfort in the center of your chest that lasts for more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back
- severe tightness, pain, pressure, or heaviness in your chest, throat, neck, or jaw
- pain or discomfort in your arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach
- shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
- breaking out in a cold sweat
- nausea or vomiting
- feeling lightheaded
- weakness in one part or on one side of your body
- slurred speech

Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any signs and symptoms of blood clots during treatment with OPZELURA, including: swelling, pain, or tenderness in one or both legs, sudden, unexplained chest or upper back pain, or shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop or have worsening of any symptoms of low blood cell counts, such as: unusual bleeding, bruising, tiredness, shortness of breath, or fever.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

The most common side effects of OPZELURA in people treated for atopic dermatitis include: common cold (nasopharyngitis), diarrhea, bronchitis, ear infection, increase in a type of white blood cell (eosinophil) count, hives, inflamed hair pores (folliculitis), swelling of the tonsils (tonsillitis), and runny nose (rhinorrhea).

These are not all of the possible side effects of OPZELURA. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to Incyte Corporation at 1-855-463-3463.

INDICATION AND USAGE:

OPZELURA is a prescription medicine used on the skin (topical) for the short-term and non-continuous chronic treatment of mild to moderate eczema (atopic dermatitis) in non-immunocompromised adults and children 12 years of age and older whose disease is not well controlled with topical prescription therapies or when those therapies are not recommended.

The use of OPZELURA along with therapeutic biologics, other JAK inhibitors, or strong immunosuppressants such as azathioprine or cyclosporine is not recommended.

It is not known if OPZELURA is safe and effective in children less than 12 years of age with atopic dermatitis.

Please see the Full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning, and Medication Guide for OPZELURA.

OPZELURA, Incyte, and the Incyte logo are registered trademarks of Incyte.