Drug Points: Remission of Alopecia Universalis During Sulphasalazine Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis

    March 1989 in “ The BMJ ”
    A S M Jawad, David G. I. Scott
    Image of study
    TLDR A woman's hair grew back while she was taking sulphasalazine for arthritis.
    In 1989, Drs. A S M Jawad and D G I Scott reported a case of a 34-year-old woman with a 30-year history of alopecia universalis who experienced hair regrowth during treatment with sulphasalazine for rheumatoid arthritis. The patient had been bald since the age of 3 and had no history of atopic diseases. After starting sulphasalazine treatment, her arthritis symptoms improved, and simultaneously, her hair began to grow back for the first time in three decades, including eyebrows, eyelashes, and scalp hair. A year later, she no longer needed a wig. The authors suggested that the hair regrowth might be related to the sulphasalazine treatment, given the strong temporal correlation between the drug's administration, the remission of arthritis, and the onset of hair regrowth. They proposed that the potential benefits of sulphasalazine for patients with alopecia areata should be further investigated in a prospective study.
    Discuss this study in the Community →

    Research cited in this study

    1 / 1 results

    Related Community Posts Join

    6 / 1000+ results

      community Alopecia Areata Question

      in Treatment  2 upvotes 3 years ago
      A user with alopecia totalis, borderline universalis, seeks advice on getting into a Xeljanz trial or appealing insurance for coverage. They experienced significant hair regrowth but are now seeing hair loss again and want to try Xeljanz.

      community No hair, don't care! [24/F] :)

       61 upvotes 8 years ago
      A woman with alopecia universalis shares her positive experience of being bald, finding it freeing and less worrisome. She also discusses her skincare routine using Korean products.

      community Olumiant alternative for Alopecia Areata?

      in Treatment  1 upvotes 1 year ago
      A user with alopecia areata is considering treatment options like injections or Olumiant but is concerned about cost and whether delaying treatment will lead to permanent hair loss. They are seeking alternative treatments that are more affordable for a college student.

      community Scalp, eyebrow, eyelash and pubic hair loss.

       6 upvotes 6 years ago
      The user experienced significant hair loss on the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, and pubic area, along with itchy, flaky skin and red patches. They have a history of eczema and dermatitis and suspect that stopping shampoo use and taking Ritalin may have contributed to the issue.

      community Just find a cure already, I am totally done

      in Chat  161 upvotes 5 months ago
      The conversation is about hair loss treatments, with users recommending finasteride and minoxidil as effective solutions. Some users report side effects, but overall, the consensus is to use these treatments rather than waiting for a cure.

    Related Research

    7 / 7 results