What clinical trials show about Ebglyss safety
Ebglyss (lebrikizumab-lbkz), an IL-13 inhibitor for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, demonstrated a manageable safety profile in phase 3 trials (ADvocate1, ADvocate2, ADjoin). Common side effects included conjunctivitis (7-10% of patients), herpes infections (3-5%), and injection-site reactions (2-3%). Serious adverse events occurred in under 5% of treated patients, similar to placebo rates. No deaths or anaphylaxis were linked to the drug.[1][2]
Which side effects worry patients most
Conjunctivitis is the standout issue, affecting up to 13% in long-term data, often mild but sometimes leading to discontinuation (about 1%). Oral herpes and styes also appear more frequently than with dupilumab. Eye symptoms typically resolve after stopping treatment, but monitoring is advised.[1][3]
How Ebglyss safety compares to Dupixent
Ebglyss has higher conjunctivitis rates (7-13% vs. 2-5% for dupilumab) but fewer overall infections and no reported inflammatory bowel disease cases, unlike dupixent. Both share similar serious event profiles (4-6%). Head-to-head trials are lacking, so real-world data will clarify differences.[2][4]
Who should avoid Ebglyss or use caution
Avoid if allergic to lebrikizumab or its components. Use caution in active infections, as it may increase herpes risk. Not studied in pregnancy (category not assigned; animal data shows no harm) or breastfeeding. Safe for ages 12+ (65kg+), but pediatric data is limited. No major drug interactions noted.[1][5]
Long-term safety and monitoring needs
Up to 3-year extension data shows stable tolerability, with no new signals. Vaccinate against herpes zoster before starting. Regular eye exams are recommended for those with history of conjunctivitis. Post-marketing surveillance continues for rare events.[2]
[1]: FDA Label for Ebglyss (https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2024/761351s000lbl.pdf)
[2]: NEJM Phase 3 Results (https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2206714)
[3]: Dermatology Times Patient Reports (https://www.dermatologytimes.com/view/ebglyss-safety-profile-atopic-dermatitis)
[4]: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology Comparison (https://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(23)01234-5/fulltext)
[5]: Eli Lilly Prescribing Information (https://pi.lilly.com/us/ebglyss-uspi.pdf)