Rinvoq for Atopic Dermatitis User Reviews

• big...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 15, 2022

"Surprised no one with severe atopic dermatitis commented on here yet. Have had severe eczema all my life and have tried many conventional (methotrexate, Myfortic, dupilumab) and unconventional treatments (diets, homeopathy) with little success. Only cyclosporine worked well for years but suddenly stopped working (and got me dangerously high creatinine levels for kidney failure, so had to stop). Now on Rinvoq for 6 months, initially once daily (30 mg), didn't work sufficiently, but after taking it twice daily, I'm now completely clear for 3 months. I'm very happy and relieved. Do need to say the side effects can be pretty intense (as other commenters have confirmed). I've had 2 herpes infections already, regularly nauseous, coughing, and colds are staying on for much longer, sometimes moody, but at this point, my eczema relief definitely outweighs the side effects. Researchers say it's the golden era for eczema research, so I'm bright and hopeful for the future."

• K99...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 25, 2024

"Out of the blue, 3 years ago, I was diagnosed with atopic dermatitis. I had itchy patches of skin on half a dozen parts of my body. My hands were the worst, they were red, peeling skin, and extremely itchy (ALL THE TIME). The only relief I could get was scrubbing my hands under near-scalding water 4-6 times a day. The relief would last for 2-4 hours at a time. I would scratch so much that I got scabs everywhere I had a patch, including my hands (which were bright red). My dermatologist first thought it was psoriasis and gave me a starter dose of Skyrizi (which had zero effect whatsoever). Then I was prescribed Rinvoq, and within hours, 4 to 6, the itching subsided. Within 4 weeks, my patches were clearing up, no more scabs or red skin. My skin stopped peeling on my hands as well. It worked very well for me... Now I'm trying to get my insurance to approve it. They are having me try other things... Dupixent currently (in my 12th week), which is doing nothing. All my patches and itchiness are returning."

• Kar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 5, 2023

"I have suffered from eczema for about 35 years. It has affected every aspect of my life and affected my self-esteem. Sleepless nights from scratching, and I am sure the damage caused by prematurely aged skin. I have taken RINVOQ 15 mg for 2 weeks now, and I feel that I have my life back. No redness, pain, itch, or scratching since the day I started, and people have noticed that my skin is visibly improved. I have found my miracle. I get slight nausea here and there, but that does not compare to the hardship I had before. I sure hope that my kidneys hold out and I don't get any other side effects, and I can continue to tolerate Rinvoq as I would hate to go back to how I used to be."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 23, 2022

"I’ve been taking Rinvoq for roughly 4 months to treat my severe atopic dermatitis. I have finally decided to call my dermatologist tomorrow to stop taking it due to severe acne it is causing me. I tried to stick it out, but I’ve noticed the acne getting worse daily. The skin damage from the acne it’s causing me is much more damaging than the atopic dermatitis. It definitely helped with my original problem but has lowered my self-esteem immensely. The type of acne it has caused for me is not the normal type. I’m not exactly sure what it is, but it will not heal and is creating holes in my skin."

• Mir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 5, 2023

"I have lived with severe atopic dermatitis for my entire life (62). The last decade has been debilitating despite cyclosporine, CellCept, methotrexate, Imuran, buckets of topical steroids, and prednisone. Dupixent helped a lot but still severe. I just started Rinvoq 15 mg 1 month ago, and my severe rash, itch, and pain have 75% cleared. The physical and psychological effects of decades of rash and relentless itch are indescribable. I am jumping for joy and have not felt this good for pretty much my entire life. I am hopeful for the future. Side effects are simply some acne, which I can manage with over-the-counter creams and cleansers."

• Mol...
• December 26, 2022

"Been taking this Rinvoq for 3 weeks, and it is nothing short of a miracle. Went from being so itchy that I couldn’t sleep to having everything cleared in just a few days. No more itching. I haven’t felt this good in years."

• ess...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 27, 2022

"I've only been on Rinvoq for a month to treat atopic dermatitis, but am calling my dermatologist tomorrow. The dermatitis has cleared up, but at the expense of severe nausea, headaches, chills, cold sores, and acne. I'm typically very active with running, biking, and hiking, but in the last month of taking this, I feel so bad all I want to do is sleep. In Rinvoq's defense, my body does not react well to most drugs, so maybe it is just me, but I've never had this bad of a reaction to any drug."

• Jhu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 2, 2023

"This drug is an absolute lifesaver! Prior to taking it, I had no quality of life. I had severe itching, which resulted in approximately 3 hours of sleep a night. The itching was driving me insane to the point it seemed too hard. No medications, creams, or lotions worked. I was using a fork to scratch my skin as my nails couldn't relieve the itch. Within about 4 weeks after starting Rinvoq, I started getting significant relief. I have been on it for 6 months, and the itch issue is 100% gone. The horrendous eczema on my hands that was cracked and bleeding has cleared up as well, and an added bonus is I was spontaneously bruising very significantly. I could be sitting, watching TV, or sleeping at night, and I would be covered daily in severe large purple bruises on my body and face. I had no trauma to my body, but they spontaneously appeared. I looked like I had been in a bad accident when I was doing nothing to warrant bruising. They have progressively improved to only a few bruises."

• Sti...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 3, 2022

"Severe atopic dermatitis popped up out of nowhere a year ago (reaction to 3rd Pfizer vaccine remains suspect). Outbreak had started to taper off at the beginning of 15 mg/day Rinvoq regimen. Continued progress through 2.5 months when I got a 4th Pfizer vaccine, at which point itchy spots started appearing again. Still, nothing like my initial outbreak but the jury's still out as to Rinvoq's effectiveness after 3.5 months. 68-year-old male. No side effects."

• Tom...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 6, 2024

"It's not a miracle cure like they say. I believe there is a 60% improvement in my eczema after being on it for about half a year. No side effects that I've noticed, which is good. Overall, I suppose it's better than nothing, but it's just a little sad to realize there is still no medication that can cure eczema by at least 90% or more, though I realize that biologics work almost fully for some people. I'm just not one of them."

• joh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 14, 2023

"I had uncontrollable itching and tried all sorts of things to help and was finally prescribed Rinvoq. With no insurance, I was able to sign up for a free Rx. Rinvoq gave me my life back. The itching was gone!!! Then I started seeing the side effects of shortness of breath, my legs breaking out in what appeared to be massive acne, and I am getting headaches and a slight cough. I have taken it for 3 months and a little of the itching has come back, I am definitely looking for an alternative."

• Sue...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 21, 2023

"I've been taking Rinvoq for almost a year now and had to increase from 15 mg to 30 mg because the itching and inflammation came back after about 20 hours of taking it. I've gained almost 15 kg!!! and I can't get it off without starving myself. The cholesterol and kidney values are also noticeable but not yet worrying. All in all, a completely new life and wouldn't want to have to vegetate without this effect anymore!"

• Cee...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 4, 2024

"For years (>20) I suffered from atopic dermatitis over 80% of my body. Symptoms were severe itching, red, sore patches that were worsened by scratching. I was treated with many medications, including topical ointments such as Diprosone, methotrexate, cyclosporine, and biologic injections. None of these treatments, including UVA treatments, relieved the symptoms to any extent, they controlled the condition to a small degree, but at night time I would scratch without realizing until I woke to see my arms blackened by bruising and sometimes bleeding. Eventually, I was placed on Rinvoq as a trial and found this to be a lifesaver. One 15 mg tablet a day has stopped all my itching, and my skin has returned to normal. On the odd occasion where I have forgotten to take the tablet, the next day the itching skin returns, so I know Rinvoq is certainly controlling my eczema. I haven't noticed any adverse side effects from this medication, so I am very happy with the results."

• Anonymous
• May 2, 2023

"With my asthma and atopic dermatitis (AD), I’ve been on various medications. I’ve never had reactions. Two days in using Rinvoq, I had severe eye swelling, lip swelling, and face swelling. Pins and needles all over my body. I also had zero energy, vomiting, and intense dizziness. This drug has a black box warning for a reason. There are so many other options, truly not worth it."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 29, 2023

"I'm a 60-year-old male and have had atopic dermatitis for around 12 years. It appeared suddenly with no apparent cause. Over the years, I've been on ciclosporin, dupilumab, and tralokinumab. All resulted in side effects - opportunistic infections with ciclosporin and significant eye irritation and inflammation with the biologics. Started taking Rinvoq 30 mg daily in Autumn 2022, and at first, it was very effective - no skin irritation or itching. However, I developed a nasty herpes simplex viral infection after around 5 months, which floored me completely. Felt as bad or even worse than I had with COVID. Only cleared up after a course of antivirals (acyclovir). After discussion with my dermatologist, I stopped taking Rinvoq, but now my eczema has returned with a vengeance. Large patches of inflammation all over my body, and it's now starting to keep me awake at night. Feel I have no option but to restart Rinvoq, but going to try a lower dose of 15 mg per day as suggested by my dermatologist."

• big...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 29, 2024

"I was the first one to post on here with my experience with Rinvoq as an AD sufferer. Severe AD for 38 years (my whole life) and I've been on Rinvoq for exactly 3 years now. Both my eczema and my body's response to the drug have been better than ever. I've been able to extend the interval per 15mg pill from 2 per day (morning/evening) to now one every 3/4 days before eczema returns (combined with application of corticosteroids with the same interval). After increasing the interval, I've had minimal side effects for about a year now. My creatinine and eGFR levels are at a good/stable level, so currently, the drug is not showing any impact on my kidneys. Amazing medicine thus far. Really hope it will last."

• mil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 17, 2023

"My skin is about 85% better. My face still has breakouts. The best thing is my skin doesn't itch, so I am sleeping so much better. I am on 15 mg a day, and been on it for 8 weeks. So far no side effects."

• Ama...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 17, 2024

"I have had atopic dermatitis going on for about 6-7 years with no apparent cause (I'm 30 now). Rinvoq helped significantly compared to the creams I was prescribed. I've been on Rinvoq for about a year now and had to increase from 15mg to 30mg because it started to not be as effective. After being on 30mg for about a month or 2 now, I believe this one is also losing its effect. Not to mention there was a period of a month or 2 I was not on the medicine because I had an insurance change (you have to go through a long period of approvals for this drug). My eczema was so bad during this time that I did not want to see friends or family because I was embarrassed of my skin. I couldn't sleep, the itchiness was unbearable, and I was beginning to get depressed. I'm scared of the possible effects of ever getting off this drug again or if it loses its effectiveness altogether. I have an upcoming appointment with a dermatologist to discuss other options."

• MKW...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 23, 2024

"Have suffered from chronic eczema my entire life. 70-year-old active female. I have been prescribed every topical steroid, prednisone, methotrexate (could not tolerate severe nausea & cramping), bleach baths. Dupixent worked fabulously for years, then caused repeated and regular bouts of severe flushing, burning, redness, swelling of face and neck. Recently tried new drug Olumiant (which was great but expensive) and now Rinvoq! The jury is still out for me as, after a 6-week ‘test’, it is working well to control any itch/rash, but I have had chest tightness and signs of URTI which lead to an EKG (all ok). Also already breaking out in acne pustules around my nose and mouth. Everything is a trade-off and you have to weigh the pros and cons. I may switch back to Olumiant?"

• Nor...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 2, 2024

"I've been taking the medicine for about 14 months to overcome my severe outbursts of AD (with hospitalization). I started with 30mg daily and, together with mixed hormonal ointments, I had some relief, although regular creaming was needed. Occasional herpes on my neck, eyelids, or chest wouldn't bother me, but sudden pain bursts in my knee and leg followed by random painful lymph nodes made me lower the dose to one pill every two days. I also found that taking 8 pills in a row was my limit to avoid such unwanted conditions. Consulting with my doctor, I lowered the dose to 15mg and was then able to take 11 pills in a row (one every two days). The pauses after each treatment depend on my skin condition and can last 2-3 weeks before more serious flare-ups. I am aware that such skipping is not medically tested, but it has kept me from the worst while keeping me stable for this stage. If I can follow the diet and extend my medication-free periods, I'd be happy."

• Ell...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 3, 2024

"Completely healed the severe, bleeding lesions on my feet within two weeks! Significant improvement within three or four days. Overall, a total life-changer. I developed AT at age 71 out of the blue, so I do wonder what changed? Why has my body betrayed me? My primary side effects have been occasional cold sores and fatigue. I do not want to stay on this medication for life, however, so I am constantly looking for non-pharmaceutical alternatives."

• FTP...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 30, 2024

"When I'm in a lupus flare, my immune system makes my dry skin and eczema worse to the point I'm sitting in the shower wishing I could peel my skin off, but since starting this, I haven't had a single flare. I switched to this after using Dupixent, and I still had horrible flares that would last for days. The only side effect that's gotten me is weight gain, but for me, that's okay. I don't mind. It just makes me want to eat more and more (again, I don't mind because I love snacking). I definitely recommend trying this if nothing else helps."

• No...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 12, 2023

"I have found no positive result with my eczema and am now concerned about my future health due to the risk of this medication and its side effects. Only natural creams would get rid of the issue! Not all medicine is good! Also, I was hit with shingles, another side effect of the medication, and now I have that to worry about forever. Not impressed. So many other things have been done, like trying to find any creams or steroids that would help me. Meaning, Rinvoq wasn't!"

• Sar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 17, 2025

"Rinvoq has changed my life. I do not exaggerate when I say that. I take 15 mg per day, and within the initial weeks of taking the medication, my AD, which covered 90% of my body, had reduced down to nearer 10%. I have not used a steroid cream in 18 months, and my itch was gone within two days of starting the dose. If you miss a day, you do see it come back, so be mindful to take it on time. But after trying 5 other biologics, this has officially changed my quality of life. Initially, side effects included a fever and some nausea, these went away fast, but be aware it can happen."

• Wol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 23, 2025

"Starting getting eczema about a year and a half ago. Nothing was working until I started taking Rinvoq. Within hours, itching stopped and hasn't returned. I have been taking it for six months and haven't had any side effects. I am so grateful."