Ep. 162: JAK Inhibitors for Eczema: Pills, Creams, and What's New
Part of the series: Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Innovations Podcast
This podcast was made in partnership with Allergy & Asthma Network.
We thank Incyte for sponsoring this episode. While they support the show, all opinions are our own, and sponsorship doesn’t influence our content or editorial decisions. Any mention of brands is for informational purposes and not an endorsement.
Treatment options for eczema have come a long way, with many new non-steroidal choices. One type is the JAK inhibitor, which offers two things people have long wanted: a non-steroidal option and a more advanced option that, unlike a biologic, does not require injection.
Kortney and Dr. Payel Gupta sit down with returning guest Dr. Nicole Chase, to break down what a JAK inhibitor actually is, how the pill and cream versions differ, how JAK inhibitors compare to biologics, and what to know about safety. They also cover what is new, including a topical JAK now approved for children as young as two.
What we cover in our episode about JAK inhibitors for eczema
What eczema really is. Dr. Chase explains the broken skin barrier and the overactive immune response that keep the itch-and-scratch cycle going.
How JAK inhibitors work. Picture a receptionist inside your cells deciding which signals get passed along, and a JAK inhibitor as the instruction to stop relaying the messages that drive itch and inflammation.
Pills versus creams. The cream treats just the spot where the rash is, the pill works through the whole body, and a simple 20 percent rule helps keep cream use safe.
JAK inhibitors versus biologics. A JAK is a small molecule you swallow as a pill, A biologic is a large molecule that has to be injected, and the right choice often comes down to your eczema and your lifestyle.
Safety and side effects. What to know before starting a JAK Inhibitor, who should be cautious, and the lab work that comes with the oral version.
About our Guest
Dr. Nicole Chase is a board-certified allergist, immunologist, and pediatrician in private practice in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area, where she cares for children and adults with a wide range of allergic diseases. She is also an associate professor at the University of Minnesota and serves as Vice President of the Minnesota Allergy Society. Dr. Chase lectures locally, regionally, and nationally on biologics and small molecules for atopic disease, which makes her a great guide to the newer eczema options.
JAK Inhibitor Infographic from Dr. Pragya Shrestha
Timestamps
Our episode about JAK Inhibitors for treating eczema
01:34 What is atopic dermatitis (eczema), and what is a JAK inhibitor
07:27 JAK inhibitors as a pill and a topical
10:15 Choosing a topical or a pill
12:37 Different treatment options for eczema
16:44 When to consider a JAK inhibitor and how it treats eczema
21:14 Different severities of eczema
24:52 Biologic versus an oral JAK inhibitor
30:11 Side effects of JAK inhibitors
35:25 Monitoring while on a JAK inhibitor
