TLDR A patient lost all their hair while on rheumatoid arthritis medication.
This case report described a 66-year-old female patient with rheumatoid arthritis who developed alopecia universalis (AU) while being treated with adalimumab and leflunomide. Despite changing her medication to etanercept and discontinuing leflunomide, her condition did not improve until all anti-TNF drugs were stopped. After 18 months without these medications, she experienced significant hair regrowth. The report suggested a potential link between anti-TNF drugs and the onset of AU, highlighting the need for further investigation into the role of TNF-α and T lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata.
69 citations,
December 2006 in “Archives of dermatology” Adalimumab may cause severe hair loss in some patients.
75 citations,
June 2005 in “Archives of Dermatology” Etanercept may not prevent alopecia areata from coming back.
1 citations,
August 2023 in “Acta dermato-venereologica” Corticosteroids are the most common treatment for alopecia areata, but many patients need better options.
6 citations,
November 2022 in “Journal of autoimmunity” JAK inhibitors like tofacitinib may effectively treat Alopecia Areata.
October 2022 in “Journal of Armed Forces Medical College, Bangladesh” Tofacitinib is effective and safe for treating alopecia areata.
39 citations,
April 2016 in “Case Reports in Dermatology” Tofacitinib temporarily regrew hair in a man with alopecia, but its effects didn't last.
5 citations,
June 2015 in “Veterinary dermatology” A dog with complete hair loss regrew most hair after treatment, with no relapse after stopping treatment.
39 citations,
April 2003 in “Australasian journal of dermatology” PUVA treatment led to significant hair regrowth in over half of the patients with alopecia areata totalis and universalis.
