Safety of Oral JAK Inhibitors in Treating Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

August 2025 in “ Frontiers in Pharmacology ”

Ziyu Qi, Yan Li

oral JAK inhibitors alopecia areata baricitinib acne infections AA

TLDR Oral JAK inhibitors are safe for alopecia areata, but baricitinib may cause more acne and infections.

Oral JAK inhibitors are generally safe for treating alopecia areata (AA), but baricitinib may have a higher likelihood of causing acne and infections compared to other JAK inhibitors.

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Research cited in this study

12 / 12 results

research Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Systemic Steroids, Oral JAK Inhibitors, and Contact Immunotherapy in the Treatment of Severe Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

3 citations , July 2024 in “Archives of Dermatological Research”

Oral ritlecitinib and baricitinib are promising treatments for severe alopecia areata due to their balance of effectiveness and safety.

research Efficacy and Safety of Deuruxolitinib, an Oral Selective Janus Kinase Inhibitor, in Adults with Alopecia Areata: Results from the Phase 3 Randomized, Controlled Trial (THRIVE-AA1)

63 citations , July 2024 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Improvement in Measures of Quality of Life and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Severe Alopecia Areata Achieving Sustained Scalp Hair Regrowth with Baricitinib

research Improvement in Measures of Quality of Life and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in Patients with Severe Alopecia Areata Achieving Sustained Scalp Hair Regrowth with Baricitinib

June 2024 in “Dermatology and Therapy”

Baricitinib improves quality of life and reduces anxiety and depression in severe alopecia areata patients with hair regrowth.

Characteristics and Management of Patients with Alopecia Areata and Selected Comorbid Conditions: Results from a Survey in Five European Countries

research Characteristics and Management of Patients with Alopecia Areata and Selected Comorbid Conditions: Results from a Survey in Five European Countries

March 2024 in “Dermatology and therapy”

AA patients with comorbid conditions face more severe hair loss and need specific treatments.

Degree of Alignment Between Japanese Patients and Physicians on Alopecia Areata Disease Severity and Treatment Satisfaction: A Real-World Survey

research Degree of Alignment Between Japanese Patients and Physicians on Alopecia Areata Disease Severity and Treatment Satisfaction: A Real-World Survey

December 2023 in “Dermatology and therapy”

Japanese patients and physicians often disagree on the severity of Alopecia Areata and treatment satisfaction, needing better communication and treatments.

research Safety of Janus Kinase Inhibitors in Patients with Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review

3 citations , May 2023 in “Clinical drug investigation”

JAK inhibitors for alopecia areata are linked to minor side effects like headache and acne, but not to an increased risk of serious adverse events.

research Efficacy and Safety of Ritlecitinib in Adults and Adolescents With Alopecia Areata: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Multicentre, Phase 2b–3 Trial

227 citations , April 2023 in “The Lancet”

research Two Phase 3 Trials of Baricitinib for Alopecia Areata

148 citations , March 2022 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Baricitinib was effective in treating alopecia areata in two major trials.

Efficacy and Safety of the Oral Janus Kinase Inhibitor Baricitinib in the Treatment of Adults with Alopecia Areata: Phase 2 Results from a Randomized Controlled Study

research Efficacy and Safety of the Oral Janus Kinase Inhibitor Baricitinib in the Treatment of Adults with Alopecia Areata: Phase 2 Results from a Randomized Controlled Study

66 citations , June 2021 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Baricitinib is effective and safe for treating severe alopecia areata.

research A Phase 2a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of the Oral Janus Kinase Inhibitors Ritlecitinib and Brepocitinib in Alopecia Areata: 24-Week Results

138 citations , March 2021 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Ritlecitinib and brepocitinib effectively regrow hair in alopecia areata patients.

research Janus Kinase Inhibitors for the Treatment of Severe Alopecia Areata: An Open-Label Comparative Study

66 citations , December 2018 in “Dermatology”

Both ruxolitinib and tofacitinib are effective and safe for treating severe alopecia areata, but relapses are common.

research Alopecia Areata Is Driven by Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes and Is Reversed by JAK Inhibition

701 citations , August 2014 in “Nature medicine”

Alopecia areata can be reversed by JAK inhibitors, promoting hair regrowth.

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research Serum Zinc Concentration in Patients With Alopecia Areata

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