Cibinqo Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Cibinqo Tablet contains abrocitinib, a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor used to treat moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (eczema) in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and above. It can be used alone or together with topical eczema medicines when these are not adequately controlling the condition or are not medically advisable. Cibinqo works by reducing inflammation in the skin, helping to ease itching and improve quality of life. It is available as film-coated tablets and must be taken exactly as prescribed.

What is Cibinqo Tablet

Cibinqo is a tablet medicine that contains the active substance abrocitinib. It belongs to a group of medicines called Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, which help reduce inflammation in the body.

Cibinqo Tablet uses

• Treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (eczema) in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and above whose disease is not adequately controlled with topical medications or for whom topical treatments are not medically advisable
• Can be used alone or together with topical eczema medicines

Benefits of Cibinqo Tablet

• Reduces itching and inflammation of the skin
• Can reduce sleep disturbances caused by eczema
• May improve symptoms of anxiety or depression linked to eczema
• Improves overall quality of life for people with eczema

How Cibinqo Tablet works

Cibinqo blocks a Janus kinase enzyme (JAK1) in the body that is involved in causing skin inflammation. By reducing the activity of this enzyme, the medicine lessens itching and inflammation of the skin.

Cibinqo Tablet dosage

Cibinqo is taken by mouth once a day, at about the same time each day. It can be taken with or without food, and taking it with food may help if you feel nauseous. Swallow the tablet whole with water; do not split, crush, or chew it. It can be used with or without other eczema medicines applied to the skin. Cibinqo is not recommended for children under 12 years of age.

If a dose is missed, take it as soon as possible unless it is less than 12 hours before the next dose, in which case skip the missed dose and resume the regular schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed tablet. Do not stop taking this medicine without talking to your doctor first.

Available forms and strengths

• Film-coated tablets (50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg)

Side effects of Cibinqo Tablet

Common

• Nausea
• Headache
• Acne
• Cold sores and other herpes simplex infections
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Stomach pain (abdominal pain)
• Increase in an enzyme called creatine phosphokinase (shown by blood test)
• Low platelet count (shown by blood test)
• Tiredness
• High blood pressure
• Skin infection, rash

Serious

• Signs of serious infection such as fever, sweating or chills, muscle aches, cough or shortness of breath, blood in phlegm, weight loss, diarrhea or stomach pain, burning when urinating or urinating more often than usual, feeling very tired
• Shingles (herpes zoster) - a painful skin rash with blisters and fever
• Blood clots in the lungs, legs or pelvis - sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, swollen or painful leg, redness or discoloration in the leg or arm
• Heart attack symptoms - chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating
• Stroke symptoms - sudden numbness or weakness, severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance
• Low blood cell counts - fever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath
• Signs of an allergic reaction - hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, tongue or throat
• Signs of certain cancers such as lymphoma, lung cancer, and skin cancer
• New or changing skin lesions

Warnings and precautions

• Cibinqo can lower the body's ability to fight infections and may make an existing infection worse or increase the chance of getting a new infection, including serious infections such as tuberculosis.
• Cibinqo may increase the risk of blood clots in the veins of the legs or lungs.
• Cibinqo may increase the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack or stroke, particularly in people 65 and older, smokers, or those with existing heart disease risk factors.
• Cibinqo may increase the risk of certain cancers, including lymphoma, lung cancer, and skin cancer.
• Live vaccines should be avoided during treatment with Cibinqo.
• Cibinqo can cause low blood cell counts, including low platelets, low lymphocytes, and low neutrophils, which require blood test monitoring.
• Cibinqo can increase blood lipid (cholesterol) levels, which should be monitored with blood tests.
• Cibinqo must not be used during pregnancy because it may harm the developing baby. Cibinqo must not be used while breastfeeding because it is not known whether it passes into breast milk or how it might affect the baby.
• People with kidney problems may need a lower dose of Cibinqo, and the medicine has not been studied in people with end-stage kidney disease needing dialysis. Cibinqo must not be used in people with severe liver problems; no dose change is needed for mild or moderate liver problems.
• It is not known for certain if alcohol affects Cibinqo, but drinking alcohol may increase the risk of feeling dizzy while taking this medicine.
• Cibinqo does not usually affect the ability to drive or use machines, but some people may feel dizzy. If this happens, you should not drive or use machines until the dizziness goes away.

Storage

• Keep in original package
• This medicine does not require any special storage conditions
• Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children
• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the carton and blister foil
• Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste; ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines you no longer use

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help right away if you have signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Call your doctor right away if you notice signs of infection, such as fever, sweating or chills, muscle aches, cough or shortness of breath, weight loss, pain or sores on the skin, stomach pain, or burning when urinating.
• Get medical help immediately if you notice signs of a blood clot, such as sudden swelling, pain, redness, or warmth in the leg or arm, chest pain, or shortness of breath.
• Seek emergency help if you notice signs of a heart attack, such as chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to the jaw or shoulder, sweating, or nausea.
• Seek emergency help if you notice signs of a stroke, such as sudden numbness or weakness, severe headache, slurred speech, or problems with vision or balance.
• Tell your doctor right away if you develop a painful skin rash with blisters, which could be a sign of shingles.
• If you think you have taken too much Cibinqo, contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention right away.

Alternatives

• Dupilumab
• Upadacitinib
• Tralokinumab