TLDR Tofacitinib can cause unusual hair growth, requiring careful monitoring and possible laser hair removal.
Tofacitinib, a JAK3 inhibitor, is effective in treating alopecia areata by promoting hair regrowth, potentially through VEGF upregulation and inflammation reduction. A case study of a patient with HIV on antiretroviral therapy revealed unexpected hirsutism after starting tofacitinib, which resolved after discontinuing the drug and a single laser hair removal session. This highlights the potential for unusual hair growth patterns in patients with immune dysregulation on tofacitinib, emphasizing the need for careful monitoring and management of side effects. Laser hair removal may be an effective treatment for medication-induced hirsutism.
37 citations,
October 2017 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology” Oral tofacitinib shows promise in treating atopic dermatitis and alopecia areata, but only slight improvement in vitiligo.
27 citations,
September 2017 in “Archives of Dermatological Research” Topical tofacitinib may grow hair better than minoxidil by increasing VEGF and reducing inflammation.
4 citations,
January 2017 in “Indian Dermatology Online Journal” A child used a hair growth lotion for hair loss, but it caused excessive hair growth on his face and neck instead.
17 citations,
October 2013 in “F1000Research” A 2-year-old boy grew excessive hair after using minoxidil for hair loss, but it improved when the treatment stopped.
44 citations,
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18 citations,
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45 citations,
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26 citations,
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