Vitiligo is a chronic skin condition that causes the skin to lose color. When this depigmentation happens in a few patches, in only a few areas of the body, it is called localized vitiligo. When the patches develop on both sides of the body, it is called nonsegmental or generalized vitiligo. Opzelura is a treatment option that is suggested for nonsegmental vitiligo. It is a topical treatment that can promote repigmentation of the skin.

How does Opzelura work?
While vitiligo is not harmful to the body, the depigmentation can affect one emotionally. So, using a treatment option that can promote repigmentation can be helpful . Opzelura (ruxolitinib) is a topical treatment option available in the form of a cream.

Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition that does not begin on the surface of the skin but below it. In this condition, the immune system attacks melanocytes, which are the pigment-producing skin cells. Due to this, melanin, or the skin pigment, is not produced in those patches of skin, which then leads to depigmentation. An immune signal, which is known as the JAK-STAT pathway, is activated, which allows the immune system to attack the healthy pigment-producing skin cells, ultimately leading to vitiligo.

Opzelura targets the JAK-STAT pathway and suppresses its activity. This is believed to prevent the immune cells from attacking and destroying melanocytes. Eventually, as the immune system is kept from attacking the pigment-producing cells, those patches of skin can begin regaining their pigmentation.

Benefits of Opzelura

• FDA-approved treatment
  One of the biggest advantages of Opzelura is that it is the first and only FDA-approved topical treatment for vitiligo that works by suppressing the JAK-STAT pathway.

• Easy to use
  Since Opzelura is available in cream form, it is quite easy to use. Individuals can apply it themselves without assistance . It can be used by adults as well as children above 12 years old dealing with nonsegmental vitiligo.

• Suitable for sensitive areas
  Another benefit of Opzelura is that the cream can be applied to sensitive areas of the skin, including around the eyes and mouth.

Clinical results of Opzelura
Several clinical tests were conducted with Opzelura over a span of six months, one year, and two years. These tests included 674 participants (aged 12 and above),  of which 450 participants were using Opzelura.

• After six months
  About 29.9% of the participants who used Opzelura experienced about 75% improvement in the areas on their faces affected by vitiligo.

• After a year
  Almost 51% of the 356 participants who continued using Opzelura showed about 75% improvement in affected facial areas.

• After two years
  The participants (177) who had not reached almost complete facial repigmentation were asked to use Opzelura for two years. More than 65% of them showed about 75% improvement in the facial areas affected by vitiligo.