Nearly half of people with prurigo nodularis who used 1.5 percent ruxolitinib cream had significant itch relief after 12 weeks. These findings are from the new late-stage clinical trial results shared at the American Academy of Dermatology’s 2025 annual meeting.

Ruxolitinib cream is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor. It works by blocking signals in the body that lead to inflammation — the kind that can cause intense itching and skin changes in certain conditions. The cream is already approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the brand name Opzelura for treating mild to moderate atopic dermatitis (a form of eczema) and vitiligo.

Clinical Trial Results

In the clinical trial, 101 adults with prurigo nodularis applied the cream twice a day for 12 weeks. Researchers tracked changes in their itching using the Worst Itch Numerical Rating Scale. They looked for a reduction of at least four points on the scale — a sign of meaningful itch relief. Nearly 45 percent of people using ruxolitinib cream met that goal, compared to about 21 percent of people who used a placebo cream without active ingredients.

Some participants saw results even earlier. After one week, more than 22 percent of those using ruxolitinib had already met the itch-reduction threshold, compared to 8 percent of people in the placebo group.

The study also tracked how many people achieved both reduced itch and visible skin improvement. By week 12, nearly 12 percent of those using ruxolitinib met both goals, compared with just under 3 percent of people in the placebo group.

As with any treatment, side effects can happen. In this study, side effects were generally mild. The most common ones included a cold, headache, diarrhea, high blood pressure, and viral stomach flu.

A Potential Needle-Free Treatment Option

Prurigo nodularis is a chronic skin condition that causes hard, itchy bumps. It can be painful and frustrating to treat. Right now, the two FDA-approved medications for this condition — dupilumab (Dupixent) and nemolizumab-ilto (Nemluvio) — are given by injection. If approved, ruxolitinib cream could become the first topical (applied to the skin) treatment.

Whether ruxolitinib cream gets FDA approval depends on how well it continues to perform and how safe it is shown to be in clinical trials. But these new results suggest it could offer a needle-free option for itch relief.

If you’re living with prurigo nodularis and still struggling with symptoms, talk to your doctor. There are multiple treatment approaches, including options beyond the two currently approved.

Learn about nine treatment options for prurigo nodularis.

Find Your Team

On MyPrurigoTeam, the social network for people living with prurigo nodularis, members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with this chronic skin condition.

Have you experienced chronic itching or skin nodules? What treatments have helped you most? Share your story in the comments, connect with others in Groups, or start a conversation on your Activities page.