A 30-year-old woman has stable non-segmental vitiligo affecting about 5 percent body surface area, mainly on the face. Narrow-band UVB was stopped after she developed recurrent blistering sunburn-like reactions. Which topical agent is approved for repigmentation of non-segmental vitiligo?
- A Topical tacrolimus 0.1 percent ointment alone for definitive repigmentation
- B Topical apremilast gel
- C Ruxolitinib 1.5 percent cream, a topical JAK1 and JAK2 inhibitor ✓
- D Topical dupilumab ointment
Correct answer: C. Ruxolitinib 1.5 percent cream, a topical JAK1 and JAK2 inhibitor
Explanation
Ruxolitinib 1.5 percent cream is a topical JAK1 and JAK2 inhibitor approved for non-segmental vitiligo, with clinically meaningful facial repigmentation typically emerging after about 24 weeks of continuous use. Tacrolimus is useful as adjunctive therapy on thin skin and face but rarely produces major repigmentation alone. There is no approved topical formulation of apremilast, and dupilumab exists only as a systemic injectable for atopic dermatitis.
Reference: Rook's Textbook of Dermatology, 9th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.