Vitiligo is not inevitable: it must be recognized and treated. Modern treatment of vitiligo is aimed at restoring skin pigmentation and slowing the progression of the disease.
🔬Review and comparative characteristics of drugs for the treatment of vitiligo
Currently, there are two drugs used in the world to treat vitiligo: Melagenin Plus (Cuba) and Opzelura (rupacitinib) (USA)
✅ Melagenin (external lotion) was created in 1973 by the Center for Placental Histotherapy, Havana, Cuba, under the direction of Doctor of Medical Sciences in Pharmacology and Pharmacy Carlos Miyares Cao. A few years later, an improved formula of Melagenin Plus lotion with a higher concentration of the active substance appeared.
✅ Opzelura (body cream), country of origin: USA (Incyte Corporation).
First drug release in September 2021 - Opzelura cream approved in the US for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, and for the treatment of vitiligo in July 2022. In Europe (EU), the cream was approved in April 2023, available in France since 2024, and in Switzerland in February 2025
Characteristic
Melagenin Plus
Opzelura
Origin/Country
Cuba, Havana, Centro de Histoterapia Placentaria
USA, Incyte Corporation
Active ingredient
Human placenta extract 50%
Rupacitinib (Ruxolitinib) 1.5%
Mechanism of action
Stimulates melanocytes and melanin synthesis
JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor: suppresses inflammation and autoimmune reactions
Release form
Lotion
Cream
Method of application
Externally 1 time per day
Externally 2 times per day (max. 60 g/week)
Age of use
From birth, can be used by pregnant and lactating women
From 12 years old, prohibited for use by pregnant and actating women, use contraception during treatment
Course of treatment
From 3 to 6 months or more, until the spots are completely closed. Closed spots are considered cured - vitiligo does not return.
From 8 to 24 weeks, depigmentation may return after stopping treatment. In this case, treatment is resumed. If the treated areas show less than 25% repigmentation after 52 weeks of the treatment, treatment should be stopped.
Availability of clinical studies
Cuba and Latin America
Multicenter international studies (TRuE-V1, V2)
Side effects
No side effects
Local irritation, often acne at the site of application, risk of immune effects
General recommendations
Recommended for patients of any age, safe for long-term use on the whole body, compatible with UV radiation
Recommended for vitiligo of the face and neck, requires strict adherence to dosage and monitoring of skin condition, compatible with narrow-band phototherapy (NB-UVB)
📌 Заключение
Situation
Preferred drug
Childhood age of the patient
Melagenin Plus
Newly appeared vitiligo on face and neck
Opzelura (rupacitinib)
Complex treatment with UFO
Both drugs can be used in combination with UFO
Stable effect, depigmentation does not return
Melagenin Plus
💡 General tips
✅ Vitiligo is a chronic disease that requires long-term treatment.
✅ Efficiency depends on the form, prevalence, age of onset and concomitant diseases.
✅ Before starting therapy, it is important to consult a dermatologist.
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