Lichen Planopilaris Treated With Thalidomide
December 2001
in “
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
”
TLDR Thalidomide significantly improved hair regrowth in a woman with lichen planopilaris.
A 41-year-old woman with lichen planopilaris, a scarring alopecia, showed no improvement with initial treatments including steroids and hydroxychloroquine. She was then treated with oral thalidomide, 150 mg daily, which led to significant hair regrowth within 1 month. The dosage was tapered to 50 mg daily for another month, and the patient did not return for follow-up after 18 months. Thalidomide has shown promise in treating inflammatory skin disorders like lichen planopilaris, likely due to its anti-inflammatory effects, despite its potential side effects and risks.