Arthritis medication shows strong hair regrowth in severe alopecia trials

A clinical trial examined the effects of upadacitinib, an approved arthritis therapy marketed as Rinvoq, on people with severe alopecia areata who had lost at least 50% of scalp hair. Success was defined as regaining enough hair to cover at least 80% of the scalp after six months. The study reported that 45% of participants receiving a 15 mg dose and 55% on a 30 mg dose met this benchmark, with over a third of each group reaching 90% coverage and a minority achieving full scalp regrowth.

Compared with other approved alopecia drugs, Rinvoq showed higher response rates, and the higher dose also restored eyebrows and eyelashes for most users. AbbVie is currently petitioning the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for an official indication, though doctors may already prescribe the drug off-label. The European Union recently granted approval for Rinvoq in alopecia areata, offering a new option for patients facing the condition’s psychological impact.