For a lot of people with eczema, the itch is the hardest part to live with, and steroid creams aren’t always the long-term answer they want. That’s what makes the latest data on Adquey worth a closer look, since this steroid-free ointment started calming skin within the first week of use.
As reported by HCPLive, findings from the clinical trials behind Adquey, also known as difamilast, were presented at the 2026 Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference in Las Vegas. The twice-daily prescription ointment was approved by the FDA in February for people ages 2 and older with mild-to-moderate eczema, and it launched in the US in October.
Results showed up quickly across three studies that included kids, teens and adults. Skin improved within the first week, and in the earliest trial, itch eased from moderate to mild in that same window. After four weeks, about 38 percent of teens and adults using Adquey had clear or almost clear skin, compared with about 13 percent using a placebo ointment. Children ages 2 to 14 saw even stronger results, with close to half reaching clear or almost clear skin versus 18 percent on the placebo.
Most side effects were mild or moderate, and no serious safety concerns or meaningful digestive issues, such as diarrhea, emerged in the studies. The trials were relatively short, so longer-term results will help show how well it holds up over time.
If steroid creams have become your go-to for flares, it may be worth asking your dermatologist whether a steroid-free option like Adquey makes sense for your skin.
