Adverse Effects of Ritlecitinib in Adults and Adolescents With Alopecia Areata: A Literature Review

Ritlecitinib, a selective dual JAK3/TEC family kinase inhibitor, is used to treat severe alopecia areata in individuals aged 12 and older. This literature review highlights that the most common adverse effects of ritlecitinib include headache, acne, and nasopharyngitis, which are generally mild to moderate. Other effects such as upper respiratory tract infections and urticaria are also noted. Serious adverse events like malignancy and major cardiovascular events are rare, with no increased incidence compared to placebo in trials up to 24 months. Laboratory abnormalities are typically transient and stabilize with continued treatment. The overall safety profile is deemed acceptable for long-term use, with real-world data supporting these findings.