Key takeaways:
Klisyri (tirbanibulin) is a topical ointment that treats actinic keratosis in adults. Actinic keratosis is a precancerous skin lesion caused by sun damage.
Klisyri is applied to the skin once a day for 5 days in a row. But even though Klisyri is used for only a short period of time, it can take up to 8 weeks to see its full therapeutic effects.
The most common side effects of Klisyri are local skin reactions, such as itching, pain, and burning at the application site. Serious side effects of Klisyri are rare, but they include blistering, swelling, and breaking of the skin.
There are ways to save on Klisyri. GoodRx can help you access Klisyri at an exclusive cash price as low as $150. A manufacturer savings card is also available.
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If you’ve spent a lot of time in the sun over the years, you may not be a stranger to scaly, rough patches that appear on your skin and stick around. These spots could be actinic keratosis, a common type of precancerous skin lesion caused by sun damage. Actinic keratosis can turn into a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma if left unmanaged, so it’s important to treat it promptly and effectively.
One option to consider is Klisyri (tirbanibulin), a topical ointment that can treat actinic keratosis in adults. You apply the medication to your face and scalp, and a treatment course with Klisyri takes only 5 days.
Using Klisyri to treat actinic keratosis can be an effective way to help prevent skin cancer from developing. Here, we’ll cover how long it takes Klisyri to work and when you can expect to see its full effects. We’ll also discuss how to use Klisyri and how long you need to apply it.
1. How long does Klisyri take to work?
You need to apply Klisyri to the skin for 5 days in a row. It starts to work fairly quickly. In studies, Klisyri started to reduce skin lesions about 8 days after starting treatment. It’s typically too early to see the full effects of treatment at that time, but you may notice that things are starting to progress in the right direction.
Klisyri does this by acting as a microtubule inhibitor. It’s thought to slow down and stop the growth of irregular skin cells.
2. How long does it take to see full effects from Klisyri?
How long it takes to see the full effects of Klisyri varies by person. But it usually takes several weeks.
In two phase 3 studies, people who used the medication started to see the full benefits after about 8 weeks. By that point, about half of participants had their actinic keratosis spots go away completely. A little over 70% saw three-fourths of their spots improve.
But after 1 year, only about a quarter of people stayed completely free of skin lesions. About half had their skin lesions come back after they had initially cleared.
3. Are there factors that can affect how long Klisyri takes to work?
Yes, applying Klisyri incorrectly may affect how well it works. It could also influence how it makes you feel. As a result, do your best to use Klisyri as directed. That means applying Klisyri to the skin once a day for 5 days in a row — not more, not less.
You may experience more side effects if you use too much or use it more often than directed. You should apply only enough Klisyri to evenly and completely cover the affected areas of the skin. Discard anything that’s left over in the packet. And don’t apply a dressing or a covering to the skin after applying Klisyri. This may irritate the skin further.
Avoid washing or touching the treated areas for at least 8 hours after applying Klisyri. Doing so may affect how well it works. After 8 hours, you can use mild soap and water to wash the area.
What’s more, using other topical medications, such as corticosteroids, on the same areas of skin may make Klisyri less effective. This can include medications such as hydrocortisone (Locoid). Don’t use topical corticosteroids on the same spots you’re treating with Klisyri unless your prescriber says it’s OK.
What does skin cancer look like? Compare photos of different types of skin cancer to help you better recognize irregular changes in your skin.
Early signs of actinic keratosis: Learn about the early signs of actinic keratosis and what it looks like.
How to protect skin from the sun: Discover multiple ways to protect your skin from the sun besides sunscreen.
4. How long do you need to use Klisyri?
Klisyri is a short-term medication. You need to apply it to your skin for only 5 days.
Klisyri comes in single-dose premeasured packets. Each one contains 250 mg or 350 mg of tirbanibulin 1% ointment. You shouldn’t use more than 1 packet per application, so you’ll need only 5 packets of Klisyri to complete a 5-day treatment course.
5. What should you expect when starting Klisyri?
The most common Klisyri side effects are local skin reactions, such as itching, pain, and burning where it’s applied. These are generally mild and temporary.
More serious reactions to Klisyri include blistering, swelling, or crusting of the skin. Serious reactions can also lead to skin breaking. Serious skin reactions are rare overall, but they’re more likely if you cover the treated area with a bandage or dressing.
In clinical studies, skin reactions usually peaked about 8 days after starting Klisyri. They improved within 2 weeks and were typically gone within a month. If your skin reactions don’t improve, or if you notice eye irritation while using Klisyri, contact a healthcare professional right away.
6. How do you use Klisyri?
To use Klisyri, you should open 1 packet and squeeze the ointment onto the tip of your finger. Apply the ointment in an even layer on the areas of skin where you have actinic keratosis spots on the face or scalp.
After applying Klisyri, wash your hands well with soap and water. Throw away leftover ointment from the packet — don’t save it for later. You need only 1 packet per application, and just enough ointment to cover the affected areas.
Avoid applying it to the mouth, lips, and eyes. You shouldn’t apply Klisyri to other parts of the body besides the face and scalp since it’s not known if it’s safe to do so. If you get Klisyri into your eyes, rinse well with water and tell a healthcare professional right away; this may lead to eye irritation.
How to save on Klisyri
There are ways to save on Klisyri, which is available as a brand-name medication. GoodRx can help you navigate between GoodRx coupons and copay savings cards to save money on your prescription.
Save with GoodRx: Anyone with a valid prescription, regardless of insurance status, can use GoodRx to purchase a 5-day supply of Klisyri at an exclusive cash price as low as $150.
Save with a copay savings card: If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $25 for Klisyri using a savings card from the manufacturer.
The bottom line
Klisyri (tirbanibulin) is a topical ointment that treats actinic keratosis in adults. Klisyri works quickly, usually within about 8 days of treatment, but it can take up to 2 months to see its full effects. Local skin reactions can happen after applying Klisyri to the skin, but this tends to get better over time as skin lesions clear up.
It’s important to apply Klisyri as directed and complete the full 5-day treatment course. Most side effects of Klisyri are mild and improve over time but can include skin itching, pain, and burning. If side effects from Klisyri don’t get better or worsen over time, contact a healthcare professional right away.
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References
Almirall. (2024). Klisyri- tirbanibulin ointment [package insert]. DailyMed.
Almirall Advantage. (2023). Easy, affordable access to Almirall’s KLISYRI (tirbanibulin) ointment.
Berman, B., et al. (2022). 274 Complete clearance of actinic keratosis observed from day 8 of tirbanibulin treatment, along with good tolerability: Post-hoc analysis of two Phase 3 studies. Journal of Investigative Dermatology.
Dao D.-P. D., et al. (2021). 1% tirbanibulin ointment for the treatment of actinic keratoses. Annals of Pharmacotherapy.