[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [JAK inhibitors](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/jak-inhibitors/) › Abrocitinib

# Abrocitinib

## JAK inhibitors?

JAK inhibitors

An oral JAK1 inhibitor for moderate to severe atopic dermatitis that has not responded to other treatments; it carries the JAK boxed warning.

Updated Nov 1, 2026

## Quick facts

**Group**
[JAK inhibitors](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/jak-inhibitors/)

**Target**
Janus kinase 1 (JAK1)

**Used for**
Moderate to severe atopic dermatitis

**Key effects**
Cold symptoms · Nausea and vomiting · Headache

**Monitor**
Latent tuberculosis test before starting

**ATC**
D11AH08

No doses: the clinician sets them by the current guideline.

On this page

- The basics Mechanism of action
- Indications
- Adverse effects
- Pharmacokinetics
- Memory aid

- Safety Contraindications
- Key interactions
- What is monitored
- Administration and safety
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Nursing care

- Study Test yourself

- Connections Connections

## Mechanism of action

✂**Janus kinase 1 (JAK1)**Abrocitinib

ⓘ The figure shows the human JAK1 kinase domain with abrocitinib (compound 25 of the discovery paper) in its ATP site.

**Target in 3D:** Janus kinase 1 (JAK1). PDB structure 6BBU (RCSB PDB, public domain). [View the structure at RCSB PDB](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/6BBU) · Drag to rotate · pinch to zoom

Abrocitinib blocks Janus kinase 1 (JAK1). Many cytokines that drive atopic dermatitis and itch signal through JAK1; with it blocked, STAT proteins stay inactive and skin inflammation and itch fall.

- Drug enters immune and skin cells and blocks JAK1
- Eczema cytokines cannot switch on STAT proteins
- Less inflammation and itch signalling
- Eczema and itch improve

## Indications

- Moderate to severe atopic dermatitis in adults and adolescents not controlled by other treatments [Atopic dermatitis →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/atopic-dermatitis/)

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Cold symptoms: stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache, dizziness
- Acne

### Serious (rare, important)

- Serious infections, including tuberculosis
- Lymphoma and other cancers
- Heart attack, stroke and blood clots
- Low platelet and lymphocyte counts; raised cholesterol
- Reduced female fertility (reversible)

## Contraindications

- Hypersensitivity to abrocitinib
- Antiplatelet therapy other than low-dose aspirin during the first three months
- Severe liver impairment
- Active serious infection

## Key interactions

**Antiplatelet drugs (except low-dose aspirin)**
Contraindicated during the first three months because of low platelets.

**CYP2C19 inhibitors**
Higher abrocitinib levels.

**Other strong immunosuppressants**
Added infection risk; avoided.

**Live vaccines**
Avoided; vaccines are brought up to date before starting.

## What is monitored

- Latent tuberculosis test before starting
- Blood counts (platelets, lymphocytes) and lipids
- Signs of infection, clots, heart attack or stroke
- Sudden vision changes

## Administration and safety

- Tablets are swallowed whole.
- All antiplatelet drugs are reviewed before the first dose.
- Vaccines are brought up to date before starting.

## Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Data are insufficient to know the risk in pregnancy; breastfeeding is avoided during treatment and for a day after.

## Nursing care

- Check the medicine list for antiplatelet drugs and CYP2C19 inhibitors before starting.
- Teach to report fever, cough, chest pain, leg swelling or stroke signs.
- Ask about smoking, clots, heart disease and cancer history.
- Teach to report sudden vision changes and unusual bruising or bleeding.

## Pharmacokinetics

**Absorption**
Oral tablet, swallowed whole

**Metabolism**
Liver, mainly by CYP2C19; inhibitors of CYP2C19 and poor metabolisers have higher levels

**Half-life**
About 5 to 6 hours for the drug and its main active metabolites

## Memory aid

ABROcitinib: Antiplatelets Banned early, Reduced platelets, Other JAK warnings apply.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Which kinase does abrocitinib block?

Janus kinase 1 (JAK1).

## Which class of drugs is contraindicated in the first months of abrocitinib (except low-dose aspirin)?

Antiplatelet drugs, because abrocitinib can lower platelets.

## Which enzyme mainly metabolises abrocitinib?

CYP2C19.

[Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/abrocitinib/)

[More Pharmacology questions →](https://durgical.com/en/practice/?f=pharmacology)

## Connections

## Related drugs 3

- [Upadacitinib](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/upadacitinib/)
- [Baricitinib](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/baricitinib/)
- [Pimecrolimus](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/pimecrolimus/)

## Related conditions 1

- [Atopic dermatitis](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/atopic-dermatitis/)

[← Back to the class: JAK inhibitors](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/jak-inhibitors/)

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [Abrocitinib: MedlinePlus Drug Information](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a622008.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2023); [RCSB PDB - 6BBU: Crystal Structure of JAK1 in complex with compound 25](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/6BBU) (RCSB Protein Data Bank, 2018); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=D11AH08) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/abrocitinib/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/abrocitinib/