Nemolizumab

Also known as Nemluvio®

Nemolizumab, also known as Nemluvio®, is a treatment for moderate to severe atopic eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis) in adults and children aged 12 years and older.

Nemolizumab is a type of biologic drug called a monoclonal antibody. These target specific proteins or receptors in the body, to regulate the immune response and reduce eczema itch and inflammation. It is given by injection just below the skin using a pre-filled syringe. Nemolizumab was approved for use by the NHS in February 2025.

Who is it for?

Nemolizumab is approved for treating adults and children aged 12 years and over (with a body weight of more than 30kg) with moderate to severe atopic eczema, who are being considered for systemic eczema medication. The more severe the eczema, the more likely you are to be considered for a newer therapy such as nemolizumab.

To be eligible for nemolizumab, you will usually need to have tried at least one systemic immunosuppressive medication (azathioprine, ciclosporin, methotrexate or mycophenolate mofetil) or a newer treatment, and found that it was not effective for you. You may also be eligible if you are unable to have an immunosuppressive treatment because it is not medically suitable for you.

If you think you might be eligible for nemolizumab, speak to your dermatologist about the possibility of trying it. If you're not currently under the care of a dermatologist, ask your GP for a dermatology referral. You will need to see a specialist dermatologist in a hospital to access this treatment.

Is it available on the NHS

Yes. Nemolizumab has been approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for routine use on NHS prescription in England and Wales, and by the Scottish Medicines Consortium for use by the NHS in Scotland. The healthcare system in Northern Ireland usually implements NICE guidance.

How is nemolizumab taken?

Nemolizumab is given by injection under the skin, using a pre-filled syringe that delivers one dose. Patients and caregivers can administer nemolizumab themselves, after receiving appropriate training from a healthcare professional.

Both adults and children (aged 12 years and older) usually start with an initial dose of 60mg of nemolizumab every four weeks. The dose is reduced to 30mg after 16 weeks of treatment, taken every eight weeks. For the initial 60mg dose, you will need two 30mg injections, which can be given one after another at different injection sites.

Injections should be given in the front upper thigh or abdomen — avoiding the 5cm around the navel. You should rotate the areas of the body you use for routine injections and avoid injecting into tender, inflamed, swollen, damaged or bruised skin, or into scars or open wounds.

The medicine should be stored in a refrigerator in its original packaging to protect it from light. After removing from the fridge, allow the pre-filled syringe to reach room temperature for 45 minutes before injecting. The medicine cannot be refrigerated again once it has reached room temperature.

Nemolizumab is an ongoing treatment rather than one used for a fixed period of time. Patients are reviewed after 16 weeks of starting treatment to see how effectively nemolizumab is working for them. If a patient's eczema has not responded adequately after 16 weeks, the treatment may be stopped.

FAQs

Nemolizumab is a monoclonal antibody — a type of biologic medicine produced by cloning immune cells to create identical copies of a particular antibody, which work in a similar way to our natural antibodies.

Nemolizumab blocks a specific receptor in the immune system called IL-31, which plays a major role in atopic eczema as well as a related skin condition called nodular prurigo. IL-31 causes eczema flares and itching, and can also weaken and disrupt the skin barrier — meaning the skin loses moisture faster and becomes more susceptible to irritants and allergens that can trigger flares. By blocking IL-31, nemolizumab helps reduce itching and inflammation, calms the skin and improves skin barrier health.

Clinical trials showed nemolizumab is effective and well tolerated, achieving expected patient outcomes in clearing eczema, reducing itch and enhancing sleep quality. The studies included both adults and children (aged 12 years and over) with moderate to severe atopic eczema. The safety profile for nemolizumab was comparable to placebo and there were no significant safety concerns. Patients in the clinical trials continued using topical steroids or topical calcineurin inhibitors on active areas of eczema as needed.

Yes. Patients being treated with nemolizumab will be expected to continue using emollients. You will usually be advised by your doctor or nurse to use topical steroids to manage eczema flare-ups as needed, alongside taking nemolizumab. Nemolizumab can also be used together with topical calcineurin inhibitors.

Due to limited research data, nemolizumab is not recommended if you're planning a baby, pregnant or breastfeeding. It's important to speak to your dermatologist about your specific situation. Nemolizumab has no known effect on female or male fertility.

Nemolizumab is a biologic medicine with fewer side effects and a better safety profile than conventional systemic immunosuppressive drugs, which suppress the whole immune system. Around 50% of people taking nemolizumab in the clinical trials experienced no side effects.

Common side effects include urticaria (hives) and headaches (including tension headaches). Rarer side effects include skin reactions at the injection site and sometimes swelling. The frequency of these side effects is similar for both adults and children. Let your doctor or nurse know if you experience any side effects. Do not take nemolizumab if you are allergic to it or any of the other ingredients.

Useful Resources

Nemluvio patient information leaflet (including a pictorial guide to using the pre-filled.

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Nemolizumab

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