Baricitinib: A Review in Severe Alopecia Areata

Baricitinib (Olumiant^®), a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, is the first drug approved for the treatment of severe alopecia areata in the USA and the EU. Severe alopecia areata is usually difficult to treat and relapse is common. Patients with this disorder are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression. In two pivotal placebo-controlled phase 3 clinical trials in adults with severe alopecia areata, oral baricitinib once daily was associated with clinically meaningful scalp, eyebrow, and eyelash hair regrowth over 36 weeks. Baricitinib was generally well tolerated with the most common adverse events being infections, headaches, acne, and elevated levels of creatine phosphokinase. While longer-term data will be necessary to more fully understand the benefits and risks of the drug, currently available data suggest that baricitinib is a useful treatment for patients with severe alopecia areata.