The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a new prescription cream called Anzupgo (delgocitinib) for adults with moderate to severe chronic hand eczema. This condition causes red, itchy, and painful hands that can be hard to treat. Anzupgo is a type of medicine called a JAK inhibitor, and it works by blocking certain signals in the body that cause inflammation. It is meant for people who have not gotten better with topical steroids or who cannot use them.
In two large studies, about 29% of people using Anzupgo saw their skin become clear or almost clear after 16 weeks, compared to 7% of those using a cream without medicine. The most common side effects were cold-like symptoms and headache. Anzupgo is for use on the skin only and should not be used with other JAK inhibitors or strong immune-suppressing medicines.
This approval gives patients a new nonsteroidal option for a condition that can be frustrating to manage. However, it is not a cure, and results vary. If you have chronic hand eczema, talk to your doctor to see if Anzupgo might be right for you. Your doctor can help you understand the benefits and risks based on your personal health history.