Alopecia – New Building Blocks

August 2023 in “ Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology ”

Lynne J. Goldberg

alopecia hair loss baricitinib Janus kinase inhibitor alopecia areata FDA low-dose oral minoxidil androgenetic alopecia patient counseling dermatologists JAK inhibitor Rogaine

From the encyclopedia

Baricitinib →

JAK inhibitor that reduces inflammation and immune attacks on hair follicles, leading to potential hair regrowth, especially in alopecia areata cases

Alopecia Areata →

autoimmune disorder causing patchy hair loss

Minoxidil →

An essential vasodilator with some anti-androgenic effects

Studysummary This review discusses educational activities for dermatologists on diagnosing and managing different types of hair loss and reports no new clinical results; it emphasizes improving clinical skills for alopecia treatment.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The document discusses the challenges of diagnosing and treating hair loss, or alopecia, and highlights recent advances in the field. It emphasizes the importance of educating dermatologists and primary care providers on identifying and distinguishing between different types of hair loss, and how to manage them. The document mentions the approval of baricitinib, a Janus kinase inhibitor, for alopecia areata by the FDA in 2022, which has increased awareness of the disease. Other Janus kinase inhibitors are also in phase 3 trials. The document also discusses the use of low-dose oral minoxidil for androgenetic alopecia, which has gained popularity since its first use in 2018 due to its tolerability and minimal side effects. The document concludes by emphasizing the importance of patient counseling in managing alopecia, and the need for dermatologists to develop a tiered approach to treating patients with alopecia.

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Research cited in this study

6 / 6 results

research Safety of Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil for Hair Loss: A Multicenter Study of 1404 Patients

39 citations , February 2021 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

In this study, low-dose oral minoxidil for hair loss was associated with infrequent systemic adverse effects, and only 1.7% of patients discontinued treatment due to these effects.

research Adverse Effects of Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil for Androgenetic Alopecia in 435 Patients

7 citations , November 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study found that low-dose oral minoxidil for androgenetic alopecia was associated with a higher incidence of hypertrichosis and edema compared to previous studies, but it remains a generally well-tolerated treatment option.

research Safety of Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil Treatment for Hair Loss: A Systematic Review and Pooled Analysis of Individual Patient Data

14 citations , August 2020 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

This study reported that low-dose oral minoxidil is generally safe for treating various types of hair loss, though it may cause hypertrichosis and pedal edema, especially at higher doses.

research Oral Minoxidil Treatment for Hair Loss: A Review of Efficacy and Safety

59 citations , July 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study concluded that oral minoxidil is an effective and well-tolerated alternative to topical minoxidil for healthy patients struggling with application-related compliance issues.

research Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Pilot Study Investigating Combination Therapy with Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil and Spironolactone

80 citations , December 2017 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

This study reported that once-daily treatment with oral minoxidil and spironolactone for 12 months reduced hair loss severity and hair shedding in women with pattern hair loss, with generally mild side effects, though results came from an uncontrolled, observational pilot study.

research Killing Two Birds with One Stone: Oral Tofacitinib Reverses Alopecia Universalis in a Patient with Plaque Psoriasis

185 citations , June 2014 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This case report describes complete hair regrowth in a patient with alopecia universalis and improved psoriasis after treatment with the oral Janus kinase inhibitor, tofacitinib.