Common Side Effects of Ebglyss
Ebglyss (lebrikizumab-lbkz) is an interleukin-13 inhibitor approved for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in adults and children 12 years and older. The most frequent side effects, affecting more than 1% of patients in clinical trials, include:
- Conjunctivitis (eye inflammation, such as red, itchy, or watery eyes): up to 9.8% of patients.
- Injection site reactions (redness, pain, or swelling at the injection site): around 2.7%.
- Herpes infections (like cold sores or shingles): 2.5%.
- Dry eye: 1.8%.
- Eyelid inflammation (blepharitis): 1.4%.
These occurred more often with Ebglyss than placebo in phase 3 trials involving over 800 patients.[1][2]
Serious Side Effects and Warnings
Rare but serious risks include:
- Hypersensitivity reactions: Symptoms like swelling of the face, lips, or throat, rash, or breathing difficulty require immediate medical attention.
- Eye problems: Some patients developed keratitis (corneal inflammation). Ophthalmologic monitoring is recommended if eye symptoms arise.
- Infections: Increased risk of upper respiratory tract infections, though no higher tuberculosis reactivation rate was seen.
No increased risk of malignancy or major cardiovascular events was observed in trials.[1][3]
How Side Effects Compare to Dupixent
Patients often search for comparisons with dupilumab (Dupixent), another atopic dermatitis biologic. Ebglyss showed similar eye-related side effects (conjunctivitis in ~10% vs. ~15-20% for Dupixent), but fewer injection site reactions (3% vs. 10-15%). Herpes infections were slightly higher with Ebglyss.[2][4]
What Patients Report Experiencing
Real-world feedback from early users highlights eye irritation as the top complaint, often mild and manageable with artificial tears. Injection reactions typically resolve within days. Long-term data is limited as Ebglyss launched in 2024.[5]
Who Gets Side Effects and When
Side effects usually appear within the first 16 weeks of treatment. Children (12+) had similar rates to adults, but data is from smaller trial groups. Risk factors include history of eye conditions or herpes.[1][3]
[1]: Ebglyss Prescribing Information, Eli Lilly and Company, FDA-approved September 2024. Link
[2]: ADvocate1 and ADvocate2 Phase 3 Trials, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (2023). Link
[3]: FDA Label Summary, Drugs@FDA. Link
[4]: Dupixent Prescribing Information, Sanofi/Regeneron. Link
[5]: Patient forums and early post-marketing reports (e.g., Drugs.com reviews, as of late 2024). Link