Home Drug Guide Abrocitinib

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Abrocitinib

Brand Names Cibinqo

Classification

Therapeutic: Antirheumatic

Pharmacological: Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor

FDA Approved Indications

  • Atopic dermatitis (moderate to severe) in adults

Mechanism of Action

Abrocitinib selectively inhibits Janus kinase 1 (JAK1), disrupting the JAK-STAT signaling pathway involved in inflammatory and immune responses, thereby reducing inflammation associated with atopic dermatitis.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: 100 mg orally once daily, may increase to 200 mg based on response and tolerability.

Pediatric: Not approved for pediatric use.

Geriatric: No specific dosage adjustment necessary but monitor for increased risk of adverse effects in elderly.

Renal Impairment: Use with caution; no specific adjustment recommended.

Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution; no specific adjustment recommended.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Rapidly absorbed with peak plasma concentrations in approximately 1-2 hours.

Distribution: Extensive protein binding (~99%).

Metabolism: Primarily hepatic via CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 enzymes.

Excretion: Metabolites excreted mainly in urine and feces.

Half Life: Approximately 4 hours.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to abrocitinib or any component of the formulation.

Precautions

  • Increased risk of infections, including serious infections; monitoring required.
  • Potential for blood dyscrasias; regular blood count monitoring recommended.
  • Not recommended for use during pregnancy; consult guidelines for contraception.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Nausea (Unknown)
  • Acne (Unknown)
  • Headache (Unknown)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Serious infections (e.g., pneumonia, herpes zoster) (Rare)
  • Blood clots (Rare)
  • Liver injury (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • CYP3A4 inducers or inhibitors (e.g., rifampin, ketoconazole) may alter abrocitinib levels.

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor for signs of infection, blood dyscrasias, and liver function abnormalities.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for infection related to immune suppression.
  • Impaired skin integrity related to disease and adverse effects.

Implementation: Monitor laboratory values regularly; educate patient on infection precautions.

Evaluation: Evaluate efficacy by reduction in dermatitis severity; monitor adverse effects.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Report signs of infection immediately.
  • Follow dosing instructions carefully.
  • Avoid live vaccines during therapy.
  • Inform about possible side effects and when to seek medical attention.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • Serious infections, Malignancies, Thrombosis

Genetic Factors: None specified.

Lab Test Interference: May affect liver enzymes and blood counts.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Potential severe immunosuppression, liver injury, or bleeding.

Treatment: Supportive care; no specific antidote. Immediate medical attention required.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature away from light and moisture.

Stability: Stable through expiration date on the package.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.