In order to determine a drug's potential value to a patient in a given clinical situation, its efficacy must be weighed against its adverse effects. However, harms and benefits do not necessarily occur at the same time. And it is often tempting to only take into account short-term benefits, and to disregard harms, especially those that could occur in the longer term. This bias is well illustrated by the evaluation data presented in this issue on two Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors that have been authorised for use in atopic eczema: upadadtinib (Rinvoq°) and abrocitinib (Cibinqo°)(see pp. 92-93). In clinical trials, after a few weeks of treatment, these drugs seemed to alleviate the symptoms of atopic eczema in slightly more patients than dupilumab (Dupixent°), another immunosuppressant, while slightly increasing the incidence of acne and folliculitis, for example.
展开▼
