Topical pan-JAK inhibitor Pregnancy: Available data on topical delgocitinib in pregnancy are insufficient to evaluate a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes; no adverse developmental effects in rats and rabbits at oral doses 120 and 193 times the maximum recommended human dose respectively.

Delgocitinib

Brand names: Anzupgo

Delgocitinib is a topical Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor used for inflammatory skin conditions such as chronic hand eczema.

Auto-extracted from the source labelling — not yet independently clinician-verified. These values were distilled from the UK SPC (or the US label where noted) but have not had a clinician sign-off. Confirm against the current SmPC before prescribing.

Adult dose

Dose: Apply a thin layer of 2% cream (20 mg delgocitinib per gram) to the affected areas only on the hands and wrists

Route: Topical (cutaneous); for topical use only — not for oral, ophthalmic or intravaginal use

Frequency: Twice daily

Max: Do not use more than 30 grams per 2 weeks or 60 grams per month

US prescribing information (ANZUPGO) — no UK SPC posology was retrieved, so verify against the UK SPC before use. Indication studied: moderate to severe chronic hand eczema in adults. Clean and dry the affected areas before applying. Avoid contact with eyes, mouth or other mucous membranes; if contact occurs, rinse thoroughly with water. Complete any necessary immunisations, including herpes zoster vaccination, according to current immunisation guidelines prior to starting treatment. Safety and efficacy have not been established in paediatric patients. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed in subjects 65 years and older.

Dose auto-extracted from US FDA prescribing information (openFDA / DailyMed) — cross-check; US labelling may differ from UK — not yet clinician-verified. Always confirm against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Contraindications

None — the US label states no contraindications

Side effects

Application site pain (≤1%)
Paraesthesia, pruritus, erythema (≤1%)
Bacterial skin infections including finger cellulitis and paronychia (≤1%)
Leukopenia and neutropenia (≤1%)
Eczema herpeticum (serious infection) — observed in a subject treated topically; non-melanoma skin cancers including basal cell carcinoma have been reported

Clinical monograph

How it works

It inhibits the JAK family of enzymes, blocking cytokine-driven JAK-STAT signalling that mediates skin inflammation.

Prescribing in practice

As a topical agent applied to limited skin areas systemic exposure is low, but it should still be used in line with its licensed indication and the SPC.
Avoid use on skin affected by untreated infection and treat any clinically infected eczema appropriately.
Reassess if there is inadequate response after an appropriate treatment period.

Monitoring

Monitoring is principally clinical, assessing improvement in the treated eczema and local tolerability.

Counselling the patient

Apply to the affected areas as directed and continue emollients.
Tell your clinician if the skin becomes infected or fails to improve.
Report any persistent irritation at the application site.

Evidence & guidelines

Delgocitinib's use in chronic hand eczema is supported by its topical JAK-inhibitor clinical trial programme; consult the SPC for licensed details.

Reference: NICE TA evaluation; BAD; SmPC; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. The structured dose values shown have been reviewed by a clinician. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Calculators

Pathways