July 2025 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Leflunomide may reduce the risk of alopecia areata, while methotrexate, cyclosporine, and rituximab may increase it.
10 citations
,
July 2019 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology” Weekly azathioprine pulse is a better alternative to corticosteroids for treating alopecia areata due to fewer side effects.
17 citations
,
January 2019 in “Dermatologic Therapy” Tofacitinib is effective and safe for long-term treatment of severe alopecia areata, with many patients achieving complete hair regrowth.
4 citations
,
February 2024 in “Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia”
February 2026 in “Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology” Upadacitinib improves life quality for Alopecia Areata patients without worsening skin issues.
54 citations
,
May 2019 in “Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders” Azathioprine can help with relapses and disability in NMOSD but has more side effects and needs more research.
8 citations
,
January 2013 in “European Journal of Dermatology” Alitretinoin may help treat alopecia areata.
Belimumab may cause hair loss in lupus patients.
1 citations
,
October 2023 in “Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology” Tofacitinib improved hair loss and skin symptoms in a patient after secukinumab caused hair loss.
November 2023 in “Dermatologica sinica/Zhōnghuá pífūkē yīxué zázhì” Upadacitinib helped regrow hair in a severe alopecia areata patient but stopping treatment caused hair loss to return.
May 2025 in “International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)” Stopping azathioprine led to full hair regrowth and recovery in 2.5 months.
24 citations
,
June 2016 in “Acta dermato-venereologica” Tofacitinib helped a young woman's severe hair loss and arthritis but not her plaque psoriasis.
May 2026 in “Journal of Human Immunity” Ruxolitinib reduced inflammation and improved symptoms in APECED patients but may cause anemia and weight gain.
25 citations
,
November 2022 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement” Baricitinib for severe alopecia areata is generally safe, with common side effects like infections and acne, and low rates of serious complications.
6 citations
,
June 2008 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” A man with Acrodermatitis continua did not get better with etanercept treatment, and his condition worsened, suggesting treatment effectiveness may vary by genetics and race.
Baricitinib effectively treats alopecia areata, with over half of patients improving after 52 weeks.
Abemaciclib can cause skin, hair, and nail problems, leading some patients to stop using it.
January 2026 in “Annals of Dermatology” Alitretinoin may help treat mild to moderate alopecia areata.
September 2023 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” October 2024 in “The American Journal of Gastroenterology” Upadacitinib improved both Crohn's ileitis and alopecia universalis in a patient.
March 2025 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” Baricitinib effectively reduces hair loss in alopecia areata and is well-tolerated.
January 2009 in “Yearbook of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery” Etanercept is safe and may help improve hidradenitis suppurativa, but more research is needed.
40 citations
,
September 2014 in “Journal of cosmetic and laser therapy” Transepidermal drug delivery effectively treated areata alopecia with minimal side effects.
1 citations
,
October 2010 in “Faṣlnāmah-i bīmārīhā-yi pūst” Methotrexate with corticosteroids can help regrow hair in severe alopecia areata but may cause relapses and side effects.
1 citations
,
June 2017 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Oral tofacitinib may be an effective and tolerable treatment for some people with severe alopecia areata.
October 2020 in “Der Hautarzt” Tofacitinib helped regrow hair in a woman with alopecia areata.
4 citations
,
January 2024 in “JEADV. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology/Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” Baricitinib and ritlecitinib are recommended for severe alopecia areata, with other treatments available off-label.
16 citations
,
August 2011 in “Annals of Allergy Asthma & Immunology” A woman with severe angioedema improved significantly after treatment with rituximab.
Baricitinib helped treat a man's beard hair loss when steroids didn't work.
7 citations
,
July 1990 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” A woman with bullous pemphigoid had an allergic reaction to azathioprine, but got better with alternative treatments.