Upadacitinib discontinuation outbreak

Upadacitinib (Upadacitinib) may cause some symptoms after discontinuation, which is called Discontinuation Dilemma. For example, atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by pruritic eczematous lesions. Long-term use of drugs can cause the body to become dependent on the drug, and sudden discontinuation may cause the condition to worsen or cause some uncomfortable symptoms. The impact of discontinuing treatment after response to oral therapy with upadacitinib has not been fully determined.

One study analyzed data from a phase 2b randomized, placebo-controlled trial of upadatinib in patients with moderate to severe AD. Skin clearance responses disappeared rapidly in patients who discontinued upadatinib, while patients who switched from placebo to uppatinib experienced a response. The skin clearing reaction disappeared within 4 weeks and the pruritus worsened within 5 days. In patients who initially received placebo or a lower dose of upadatinib resulting in loss of baseline improving response, rescue therapy with upadatinib 30 mg resulted in rapid recovery or improvement of skin and pruritus responses. No new security risks were observed.

The original drug Upatinib has been launched in China, and has subsequently entered the scope of Class B medical insurance. Only eligible patients can be reimbursed. Specifications The price of each box of 15mg*28 tablets may be around RMB 3,000. The European version of the original drug sold overseas is priced at more than 20,000 yuan for 15mg*30 tablets (the price may fluctuate due to exchange rates), which is expensive. Cheaper upadatinib generic drugs are also sold overseas, and their pharmaceutical ingredients are basically the same as those of the original drugs sold domestically and abroad. For example, the price of 15mg*30 tablets produced by Bangladesh pharmaceutical factory is around 900 yuan (the price may fluctuate due to the exchange rate).