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Limited coverage criteria – upadacitinib for atopic dermatitis

Last updated on August 6, 2026

 

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Generic name

upadacitinib

Strength & form

15 mg, 30 mg extended-release tablet

Special Authority criteria

Approval period

Initial

For the treatment of patients 12 years of age and older with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD) when ALL of the following criteria are met:

  • Patient has had treatment failure despite an adequate trial of the following therapies:
    • Maximally tolerated medical topical therapies for AD combined with phototherapy (where available), AND
    • Maximally tolerated medical topical therapies for AD combined with at least 1 of the 4 systemic immunomodulators (methotrexate, cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil, or azathioprine)

AND

  • Patient has an Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI)1 score of 16 or higher and a validated Investigator Global Assessment for Atopic Dermatitis (vIGA-AD)1 score of 3 or higher

AND

  • Special Authority is requested by a dermatologist, allergist, or clinical immunologist who has expertise in the management of moderate to severe AD

6 months

Renewal

  • Patient must attain and maintain beneficial clinical effect, defined as a 75% or greater improvement from baseline in the EASI score (EASI-75)1

AND

  • Special Authority is requested by a dermatologist, allergist, or clinical immunologist who has expertise in the management of moderate to severe AD

1 year

Practitioner exemptions

  • None

Special notes

  • 1EASI score and vIGA-AD score must be calculated within the 3-month period immediately preceding the Special Authority request
  • Upadacitinib will not be covered for use in combination with any other targeted systemic therapies (e.g., biologics or JAK inhibitors) for the treatment for moderate to severe AD

Special Authority request form(s)