For millions of people who suffer from hair loss due to alopecia areata, treatment options have been limited. Now, there is a new treatment, just approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Authority (FDA). It is called Olumiant, and it is the first and the only FDA-approved pill that can be used to treat people with severe alopecia areata. If you are struggling with this type of hair loss, there are a few things you need to know.

What Is Olumiant?

Olumiant is a type of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor. This is a prescription medication. It is only FDA-approved for severe alopecia areata, though it is also used to treat some types of arthritis. It provides systemic therapy for alopecia areata, which means it treats the whole body. Because this type of hair loss is a type of auto immune disease, in which the body’s immune system attacks the hair follicles and causes extreme hair loss, a systemic treatment option may be more helpful.

Also known as baricitinib, this is the first type of therapy for the treatment of this condition. With more than 300,000 people in the U.S. along affected by alopecia areata, the FDA approval of this drug is critically important and much sought after. Prior to it, there was no other medication available to treat alopecia areata.

To work, Olumiant blocks the activity of one or more of a group of enzymes. It is believed that this activity leads to the development of inflammation that causes the auto immune disease to occur. By interfering with that enzyme family, it aims to stop the inflammation that causes alopecia areata to occur.

In June of 2022, the FDA reached a decision to approve Olumiant for treatment of alopecia areata after two randomized and double-blind trials saw success. These trials involved people who have at least 50% hair loss on their scalp as a result of this condition. All people involved in the trial had had that level of hair loss for at least six months. The study measured the proportion of people who experienced at least 80% scalp coverage within 36 weeks.

To achieve this, patients took either a 2 milligram or a 4-milligram treatment. The study found significant success, leading to the FDA approval.

What Is Alopecia Areata?

The use of Olumiant is not for everyone who has hair loss. Rather, it is a specific treatment designed to provide help for this auto immune disorder. In people who have it, the immune system attacks the hair follicles, which are the shafts that allow hair to grow outward. The condition often damages the follicles, making it impossible for new hair to grow. This often leads to significant hair loss in the affected areas. For some people, it may be in a limited area while in others it happens extensively, causing significant, often patchy hair loss. In some situations, the hair will fall out in clumps.

Are There Risks to Using Olumiant?

In order to use this medication, patients need to see a medical doctor for an evaluation and assessment. It is only approved, at this point, for severe forms of alopecia areata. There are some reported side effects that your doctor will discuss with you before you receive this medication.

Though rare, some of the serious side effects include serious infections, because the medication can make it more likely that a person will have a severe reaction to an infection, as well as increased risk of sudden death in those who are over the age of 50 who have had a heart disease risk factor or taking medications like JAK inhibitors, and major cardiovascular events such as strokes or a heart attack. Other risks may apply as well.

Should You Take Olumiant?

It is up to you and your doctor to determine how well this prescription medication could fit your needs. In many situations, Olumiant can prove to be a highly effective treatment for alopecia areata, and treatment could mean a boost in confidence for some people. Discuss the options for this treatment program thoroughly before making the decision to use it. Contact our team at Unique Hair Concepts today to see if Olumiant is the right solution for you!