Men and women around the world have long been searching for ways to reverse hair loss. Fortunately, the FDA has approved two medical treatments that can help: Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride). Rogaine is suitable for both genders, while Propecia is only approved for men. Recently, the FDA also gave the green light to Olumiant (baricitinib) oral tablets to treat adult patients with severe alopecia areata.
This marks the first approval of a systemic treatment by the FDA, meaning it affects the entire body rather than a specific area. In clinical trials with 1,200 participants, more than half of them experienced hair regrowth after a year of taking Olumiant. Olumiant is a Janus kinase inhibitor (JAK) that blocks the activity of one or more enzymes from a specific family and interferes with the pathway that leads to inflammation. In two trials, 17-35% of patients who received 2-4 milligrams of Olumiant achieved adequate coverage of hair and scalp, compared to 3-5% of those who received a placebo.
However, Olumiant comes with warnings and precautions. It is important to monitor for signs and symptoms of infection during and after treatment, evaluate patients for active TB infection and test for latent tuberculosis before treatment with Olumiant. Other warnings and precautions include hypersensitivity (allergic reactions), gastrointestinal perforations (tears in the stomach or intestine), and laboratory abnormalities such as low white and red blood cell counts, increased liver enzymes, and increased lipids. The drug also comes with a warning box for serious infections, mortality, malignancies, serious adverse cardiovascular events and thrombosis.
It is important to note that the use of Olumiant in combination with other JAK inhibitors, biological immunomodulators, cyclosporine, or other potent immunosuppressants is not recommended. When it comes to hair loss treatments, it is essential to choose those that have been approved by the FDA. Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia (finasteride) are two treatments that have been given the go-ahead by the FDA for hair loss in men and women respectively. Additionally, Olumiant (baricitinib) has been approved by the FDA as a systemic treatment for alopecia areata in adults.
