Survey finds that dermatologist care drives Opzelura adherence | AAD 2026

Patients with vitiligo who are currently using Opzelura (ruxolitinib) were more likely to continue with treatment beyond six months than previous users of the treatment, according to a poster presented at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Association annual meeting.

Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the destruction of melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing skin pigment. Between 1.9 million and 2.8 million people are estimated to have vitiligo.

Developed by Incyte Corp., Opzelura is a topical nonsteroidal that is approved for patients 2 years of age and older with mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis, and was also approved in July 2022 for patients 12 years and older with vitiligo. It is a selective JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor that can restore skin color in patients with vitiligo. Opzelura generated $678 million in net sales in fiscal year 2025.

The wholesale acquisition cost of Opzelura is $2,094 per tube. Eligible patients with commercial coverage for Opzelura may pay as little as $0 per tube. Some patients whose coverage does not include the drug can pay $35 per prescription but must go to participating pharmacies. The terms of the copay savings card say copay adjustment programs such as maximizer or accumulator programs may impact the value of the card.

Investigators conducted a survey of 309 adults recruited through MyVitiligoTeam, an online support network for people living with vitiligo. The survey, which was sponsored by Incyte, was conducted between Jan. 22, 2025, and Feb. 17, 2025.

Among the respondents, 20.1% were current users of Opzelura, and 11.3% were previous users. Additionally, 68.6% had never used the treatment. Approximately three-quarters of previous and naive users reported not receiving any vitiligo treatment at the time of the survey. More than one-quarter of previous users and more than half of naive users reported they did not see any healthcare provider for their vitiligo.

The survey population was more racially and ethnically diverse than the clinical trials that led to the drug’s approval. Black, Hispanic/Latino and Asian Americans make up the largest share of patients who are diagnosed with vitiligo.

Investigators wanted to assess real-world treatment patterns among people with vitiligo and their persistence with Opzelura. They found that specialist care is a key driver of treatment success.

Nine in 10 current users of Opzelura were being managed by a dermatologist, compared with only 63% of previous users and 26% of those who had never tried the treatment. Current users were also far more likely to have had a conversation with their healthcare provider about the importance of sticking with treatment long-term. More than half of current users had been on the cream for more than six months, compared with about a third of previous users.

For those who had discontinued Opzelura, the most commonly cited reason was a perceived lack of effectiveness, reported by nearly half of former users. Investigators said that Opzelura can take months to produce visible repigmentation, meaning patients who stop early may be quitting before the treatment has had a real chance to work.

However, roughly 43% of former users said they would consider restarting treatment if they received better guidance, particularly around what results to realistically expect and how to manage side effects. Cost and insurance issues also ranked prominently as obstacles.