UAE Becomes the First Country in the World to Approve a New Oral Medication for Vitiligo

The UAE has once again made headlines in the field of innovative treatments; this country is the first in the world to approve the wider use of the medication RINVOQ (upadacitinib) for the treatment of non-segmental vitiligo.

The Emirates Drug Establishment announced on Monday that this medication has been authorized for adults and adolescents aged 12 and older who require systemic treatment.

RINVOQ is taken in the form of an oral tablet once a day and is now introduced as the first approved oral treatment for this group of patients.

Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes patches of skin to lose their natural color, resulting in white or light-colored spots on the body. The non-segmental type, which is the most common form of this disease, typically creates symmetrical spots on both sides of the body and may gradually spread.

According to this report, vitiligo affects about 0.5 to 1 percent of the world's population; however, some researchers believe that due to undiagnosed and unreported cases, this figure may reach 1.5 percent.

This disease can start at any age, but it usually appears in the mid-20s.

UAE officials have also urged people to see a specialist if they notice unusual changes in their skin color for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment selection.

 RINVOQ Learn More About the Medication 

The medication RINVOQ, with the generic name upadacitinib, is an oral prescription medication for controlling certain inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. This medication is not a pain reliever, corticosteroid, or antibiotic; it belongs to the class of JAK inhibitors and controls the overactivity of the immune system.

In autoimmune diseases, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy body tissues, causing inflammation, pain, swelling, or tissue damage. RINVOQ reduces the severity of this reaction by inhibiting part of the inflammatory signals inside the cells. Therefore, it can control symptoms such as joint pain and stiffness, inflammation, itching, and skin lesions or gastrointestinal problems caused by inflammation. This medication does not cure the disease definitively but can reduce symptoms and help control the disease.

What Diseases is RINVOQ Used to Treat?

Doctors may prescribe RINVOQ for treating diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, certain types of axial spondyloarthritis, atopic dermatitis or moderate to severe eczema, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease. In some countries, this medication has also been approved for other diseases such as giant cell arthritis and certain types of arthritis in children.

The indications for RINVOQ may vary based on the patient's age and the drug regulations of each country. This medication is usually prescribed when previous treatments have not been sufficiently effective, the patient cannot tolerate them, or the doctor considers the use of RINVOQ to be a more suitable option.

How to Take RINVOQ

RINVOQ is usually taken as a slow-release tablet once a day, but the dosage depends on the type of disease, the patient's age, liver condition, and concurrent medications. The tablet should be swallowed whole and should not be split, crushed, or chewed. The medication can be taken with or without food.

The effect of RINVOQ is not immediate, and the time to see results varies among patients. Patients should not discontinue the medication or change the dosage on their own due to improvement in symptoms.

Important Points Before Starting Treatment

Before starting RINVOQ, tests are usually conducted to check for tuberculosis, hepatitis, blood cell counts, liver function, and blood lipid levels. Individuals with active infections should not start the medication without the doctor's approval.

Patients should inform the doctor of any history of frequent infections, shingles, cancer, heart disease, stroke, or blood clots. The use of certain immunosuppressive medications along with RINVOQ may increase the risk of infection. Live vaccine injections are also not recommended while taking this medication.

Side Effects of RINVOQ

Common side effects may include respiratory infections, rash, nausea, headache, or changes in blood test results. However, RINVOQ may increase the risk of serious infections, shingles, tuberculosis, blood clots, cardiovascular problems, and certain cancers in some cases.

Persistent fever, shortness of breath, chest pain, sudden swelling of the leg, or unilateral weakness require immediate medical attention. The use of RINVOQ during pregnancy and breastfeeding should also be done under medical supervision.