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Alopecia Areata Treatments Overview

Finding an effective treatment for alopecia areata can be difficult. Many people with the disease try several treatments and never see any improvement, while others do. But there is hope. In June 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a drug called baricitinib to help manage severe alopecia areata. Sold as Olumiant, the once-daily pill has been effective in trials, regrowing hair in one in three patients.

Baracitinib is in a class of drugs called Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. These are used to treat conditions such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and eczema. Some are currently used by some dermatologists to treat alopecia areata anyway. This is called using them off-label.

Learn more about Available Treatments