An injection for moderate to severe eczema that calms an immune signal
Lebrikizumab
An under-the-skin injection used to treat moderate to severe eczema by blocking a key immune signal that drives the inflammation.
What is Lebrikizumab?
Lebrikizumab is a biologic medicine, a type of antibody, given as an injection under the skin to treat moderate to severe atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis) when creams have not given enough control. It works by blocking a chemical messenger in the immune system called interleukin-13 (IL-13), which is a major driver of the itching and inflammation in eczema. The most notable side effect is eye inflammation, particularly conjunctivitis. It can also cause injection-site reactions, and live vaccines are avoided while taking it. Your team will also check for any parasitic infection before starting.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Lebrikizumab — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Lebrikizumab is a biologic medicine used to treat moderate to severe atopic eczema, a long-term skin condition that causes intense itching, redness, dryness and flares. It is a laboratory-made antibody, given as an injection under the skin, used in people whose eczema is not well controlled by creams and other topical treatments. By targeting a specific immune signal rather than dampening the whole immune system, it aims to calm the inflammation that drives eczema. It is prescribed and supervised by a specialist team and is often given as a self-injection after training.
How it works
In atopic eczema, an immune messenger called interleukin-13 (IL-13) plays a central role in driving inflammation, itching and the skin-barrier problems that cause flares. Lebrikizumab is an antibody that binds to IL-13 and blocks its action, interrupting this part of the immune response. With the IL-13 signal damped down, the skin inflammation and itching ease and the skin can settle and heal over time. Because it targets one specific pathway, it is given on a regular schedule to keep that signal suppressed and the eczema under control.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Specialist manufacturer.
A newer injectable medicine used in the UK to treat moderate to severe atopic eczema in people whose condition is not controlled by creams alone.
What it treats
Conditions Lebrikizumab is used for
Practical use
How to take Lebrikizumab
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Inject it under the skin on the regular schedule your specialist team sets, as you have been trained.
- Rotate the injection site and tell your team about any redness or soreness where you inject.
- Report red, itchy, watery or sore eyes, as eye inflammation such as conjunctivitis is a known effect.
- Do not have live vaccines while taking it; try to be up to date with vaccines before starting.
- Tell your team before starting if you may have a parasitic (worm) infection, so it can be checked and treated.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Lebrikizumab
Advantages
- An effective targeted treatment for moderate to severe eczema not controlled by creams.
- Works on a specific immune signal rather than dampening the whole immune system.
- Can be given as a self-injection at home after training, on a spaced-out schedule.
Disadvantages
- Commonly causes eye inflammation, particularly conjunctivitis.
- Can cause injection-site reactions and requires avoiding live vaccines.
- Needs a check for parasitic infection before starting and ongoing specialist supervision.
Practical use
Good to know
The most distinctive thing to know about lebrikizumab is its tendency to cause eye problems, especially conjunctivitis, with red, itchy, watery or sore eyes; this is usually manageable but should be reported, and an eye check may be arranged if it is troublesome. It is given as an injection under the skin, often by the person themselves after training, on a regular schedule that the specialist team sets and may space out once the eczema is well controlled. Injection-site reactions, such as redness or soreness where the needle goes in, are fairly common and usually settle. Before starting, the team will usually check for and treat any parasitic (worm) infection, because blocking this immune signal could affect how the body handles such infections. Live vaccines are avoided while taking it, so it is best to be up to date beforehand.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to lebrikizumab should not use it.
- It is used with care in people with a current parasitic (worm) infection, which is usually checked and treated first.
- It is used in pregnancy only when the specialist team considers it suitable.
Monitoring
- Reviewing how well the eczema responds and how the skin and itching improve.
- Watching for and managing eye problems such as conjunctivitis.
- Checking for parasitic infection before starting and reviewing the injection schedule over time.
Side effects
- Eye inflammation such as conjunctivitis, with red, itchy, watery or sore eyes.
- Redness or soreness where the injection is given.
- Less commonly, inflammation of the eyelids or other eye-related effects.
Key interactions
- Live vaccines should be avoided while taking it, so plan vaccinations beforehand.
- There are few well-established routine medicine interactions, but tell your team about everything you take.
- Other medicines that suppress the immune system should be reviewed with your specialist.
Available as: A solution for injection under the skin, often given by the patient.
Answers
Lebrikizumab: frequently asked questions
What is lebrikizumab used for?
It is used to treat moderate to severe atopic eczema in people whose condition is not controlled by creams, by blocking an immune signal (IL-13) that drives the inflammation and itching.
Why does it cause eye problems?
Eye inflammation, especially conjunctivitis, is a known effect of this group of medicines; report red, itchy, watery or sore eyes, as it is usually manageable and an eye check may be arranged.
Can I inject it myself?
Yes, many people inject it under the skin themselves at home after their specialist team has trained them, on a regular schedule.
Why check for worms before starting?
Blocking this immune signal could affect how the body handles parasitic (worm) infections, so any such infection is usually checked and treated before starting.
Can I have vaccinations while on it?
Live vaccines are avoided while taking lebrikizumab, so it is best to be up to date with your vaccines before starting; your team can advise on others.
The wider class
About Anti-IL-13 biologic injection
Lebrikizumab belongs to the anti-il-13 biologic injection class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
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Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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