Sponsored by Incyte
Waiting for Mandy Moore—icon, multi-hyphenate and “the nicest person you’ll ever meet”—to appear on Zoom, I’m not quite sure what to expect. It’s mid-September and the SAG-AFTRA strike is in full swing, which means that we can’t talk about anything related to her wildly impressive body of work (or her advocacy on behalf of her fellow actors).
Officially, we’re here to talk about Moore’s experience living with mild-moderate eczema and her partnership* with Incyte, a biopharmaceutical company, on its Moments of Clarity program, which highlights the stories of people who found relief from their eczema symptoms.
When Moore appears on my screen, it’s with the warm smile my generation grew up seeing on magazine covers and movie screens. Mandy Moore the megastar came of age as one of the most recognizable women living through the gauntlet of toxic early aughts media scrutiny; when I ask her about this, Mandy Moore the person answers with a deep sense of empathy. “Maybe it didn't feel any different than being a young woman going to school and the influence that would've been around me anyway,” she says. “Now with social media, everyone has a camera, everyone's in the spotlight, everyone's a superstar and has to be on at all times. I'm eternally grateful I didn't have to go through that.”
After more than two decades in the public eye, Moore has had plenty of time to reflect on what it means to have your appearance be under constant scrutiny. “It's super self-conscious to be somebody whose job is to show up and be on camera,” she says. “I was especially self-conscious about my skin when I was having an eczema flare.”
The stress of the pandemic had a “profound effect” on Moore’s skin, she says. She first started noticing that the skin on parts of her face was red, itchy, and inflamed. It started peeling. She assumed it had something to do with work—long days in heavy makeup and prosthetics would take a toll on anybody’s skin. Skin conditions, despite being so commonly observed, may carry a stigma. Anyone who’s ever dealt with any kind of health condition, especially one that shows up on your skin, knows that it can be stressful. Eventually, Moore got to a breaking point. "I wanted to go into work and not have to apologize: Sorry about these red flaky patches on my face—I don't really know what's going on,” she recalls.
Finally, Moore decided to talk to her dermatologist and was diagnosed with atopic dermatitis—the most common form of eczema, a chronic, immune-mediated condition, affecting over 21 million people in the U.S. ages 12 and older, according to The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. “This is something that I'm going to have to live with for the rest of my life, but that doesn't mean that it has to have the impact that I thought it would at the beginning before I had answers,” Moore says.
The diagnosis alone was a huge relief. “I think having clarity, having this unknown uncovered, was the most helpful,” Moore says. “That's why it's important to me to encourage others who may be suffering from this same condition, to be proactive, take control of their health, and talk to a dermatologist to find a treatment that is suitable for them.”
Enter Moore's partnership with Incyte, the makers of Opzelura® (ruxolitinib) cream 1.5%, a non-steroidal, twice daily cream. Moore does not personally use Opzelura, but she feels strongly about raising awareness for people with mild to moderate AD. Opzelura is for the short-term and non-continuous chronic treatment of mild to moderate eczema (atopic dermatitis) in non-immunocompromised adults and children 12 years of age and older whose disease is not well controlled with topical prescription therapies or when those therapies are not recommended. The use of Opzelura along with therapeutic biologics, other JAK inhibitors, or strong immunosuppressants such as azathioprine or cyclosporine is not recommended. It is not known if Opzelura is safe and effective in children less than 12 years of age with atopic dermatitis.
Opzelura is not for everyone. It can cause side effects, including serious side effects. See below for Opzelura IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION including boxed Warning for Serious Infections, Increased Risk of Death, Lymphoma and other Cancers, Major Cardiovascular Events, and Blood Clots.
There’s no one-size-fits-all treatment for atopic dermatitis, but “I really was passionate about partnering with Incyte because I have firsthand experience with eczema,” she says. “I know what it's like and I want to empower others to find relief from their symptoms.” Moore also hopes to share the stories of others who took control of their health and found relief. People like Anna, a 12-year-old student from Alabama who also suffers from mild-moderate eczema. Anna opened up to Moore in a program video for Moments of Clarity about how her eczema symptoms bothered her during activities like cheerleading and basketball, and what it was like experiencing less itch and redness after using Opzelura. Individual results may vary.
A big part of Moore’s personal eczema treatment plan includes avoiding triggers like stress—no small feat as a mom of two toddlers who balances outside work alongside the full-time job of motherhood. “Things are more stressful because the stakes are higher, but I think I'm also better at practicing patience for myself and my family than maybe I was before when I didn't have to do that for someone outside of myself,” she says.
I became a mom earlier this year and I feel Moore’s description of this aspect of motherhood deeply. I ask her if she thinks becoming a mom changes the way one advocates for themselves. She leans in. “Don't you?”
At this point in her journey, Moore is comfortable enough in her identity to know that what works for her might change. “I think I'll always be finding that footing and figuring out my equilibrium—I'm still working through that,” she says. Finding clarity—with your identity, with your confidence, with your choices—is an ongoing process. So is having the confidence to advocate for your own health, to press for answers when you know something is off. But Moore is at ease with that truth. “I'm coming into my own and growing more comfortable in my skin,” she says. “I think that's only attributed to time and getting older and the wisdom and clarity that comes with that.”
*Mandy Moore has been compensated for her participation.
OPZELURA is for use on the skin only. Do not use OPZELURA in your eyes, mouth, or vagina.
OPZELURA may cause serious side effects, including:
Serious Infections: OPZELURA contains ruxolitinib. Ruxolitinib belongs to a class of medicines called Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. JAK inhibitors are medicines that affect your immune system. JAK inhibitors can lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections. Some people have had serious infections while taking JAK inhibitors by mouth, including tuberculosis (TB), and infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses that can spread throughout the body. Some people have been hospitalized or died from these infections. Some people have had serious infections of their lungs while taking OPZELURA. Your healthcare provider should watch you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during treatment with OPZELURA.
OPZELURA should not be used in people with an active, serious infection, including localized infections. You should not start using OPZELURA if you have any kind of infection unless your healthcare provider tells you it is okay. You may be at a higher risk of developing shingles (herpes zoster) while using OPZELURA.
Increased risk of death due to any reason (all causes): Increased risk of death has happened in people 50 years of age and older who have at least 1 heart disease (cardiovascular) risk factor and are taking a medicine in the class of medicines called JAK inhibitors by mouth.
Cancer and immune system problems: OPZELURA may increase your risk of certain cancers by changing the way your immune system works. Lymphoma and other cancers have happened in people taking a medicine in the class of medicines called JAK inhibitors by mouth. People taking JAK inhibitors by mouth have a higher risk of certain cancers including lymphoma and lung cancer, especially if they are a current or past smoker. Some people have had skin cancers while using OPZELURA. Your healthcare provider will regularly check your skin during your treatment with OPZELURA. Limit the amount of time you spend in the sunlight. Wear protective clothing when you are in the sun and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen.
Increased risk of major cardiovascular events: Increased risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, or death have happened in people 50 years of age and older who have at least 1 heart disease (cardiovascular) risk factor and taking a medicine in the class of medicines called JAK inhibitors by mouth, especially in current or past smokers.
Blood clots: Blood clots in the veins of your legs (deep vein thrombosis, DVT) or lungs (pulmonary embolism, PE) can happen in some people taking OPZELURA. This may be life-threatening. Blood clots in the vein of the legs (deep vein thrombosis, DVT) and lungs (pulmonary embolism, PE) have happened more often in people who are 50 years of age and older and with at least 1 heart disease (cardiovascular) risk factor taking a medicine in the class of medicines called JAK inhibitors by mouth.
Low blood cell counts: OPZELURA may cause low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia), low red blood cell counts (anemia), and low white blood cell counts (neutropenia). If needed, your healthcare provider will do a blood test to check your blood cell counts during your treatment with OPZELURA and may stop your treatment if signs or symptoms of low blood cell counts happen.
Cholesterol increases: Cholesterol increase has happened in people when ruxolitinib is taken by mouth. Tell your healthcare provider if you have high cholesterol or triglycerides.
Before starting OPZELURA, tell your healthcare provider if you:
- have an infection, are being treated for one, or have had an infection that does not go away or keeps coming back
- have diabetes, chronic lung disease, HIV, or a weak immune system
- have TB or have been in close contact with someone with TB
- have had shingles (herpes zoster)
- have or have had hepatitis B or C
- live, have lived in, or have traveled to certain parts of the country (such as the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys and the Southwest) where there is an increased chance for getting certain kinds of fungal infections. These infections may happen or become more severe if you use OPZELURA. Ask your healthcare provider if you do not know if you have lived in an area where these infections are common.
- think you have an infection or have symptoms of an infection such as: fever, sweating, or chills, muscle aches, cough or shortness of breath, blood in your phlegm, weight loss, warm, red, or painful skin or sores on your body, diarrhea or stomach pain, burning when you urinate or urinating more often than usual, feeling very tired.
- have ever had any type of cancer, or are a current or past smoker
- have had a heart attack, other heart problems, or a stroke
- have had blood clots in the veins of your legs or lungs in the past
- have high cholesterol or triglycerides
- have or have had low white or red blood cell counts
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if OPZELURA will harm your unborn baby. There is a pregnancy exposure registry for individuals who use OPZELURA during pregnancy. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the health of you and your baby. If you become exposed to OPZELURA during pregnancy, you and your healthcare provider should report exposure to Incyte Corporation at 1-855-463-3463.
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if OPZELURA passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with OPZELURA and for about 4 weeks after the last dose.
After starting OPZELURA:
- Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms of an infection. OPZELURA can make you more likely to get infections or make worse any infections that you have.
- Get emergency help right away if you have any symptoms of a heart attack or stroke while using OPZELURA, including: discomfort in the center of your chest that lasts for more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back; severe tightness, pain, pressure, or heaviness in your chest, throat, neck, or jaw; pain or discomfort in your arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach; shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort; breaking out in a cold sweat; nausea or vomiting; feeling lightheaded; weakness in one part or on one side of your body; slurred speech
- Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any signs and symptoms of blood clots during treatment with OPZELURA, including: swelling, pain, or tenderness in one or both legs, sudden, unexplained chest or upper back pain, or shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
- Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop or have worsening of any symptoms of low blood cell counts, such as: unusual bleeding, bruising, tiredness, shortness of breath, or fever.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
The most common side effects of OPZELURA in people treated for atopic dermatitis include: common cold (nasopharyngitis), diarrhea, bronchitis, ear infection, increase in a type of white blood cell (eosinophil) count, hives, inflamed hair pores (folliculitis), swelling of the tonsils (tonsillitis), and runny nose (rhinorrhea).
These are not all of the possible side effects of OPZELURA. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to Incyte Corporation at 1-855-463-3463.
Please see the Full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning, and Medication Guide for OPZELURA.
OPZELURA, Incyte, and the Incyte logo are registered trademarks of Incyte.
© 2023, Incyte Corporation. MAT-OPZ-01938 11/23
