Name: Litfulo
Published: Jan 09, 2024

Litfulo

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Reviewed on Jan 09, 2024. by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell Writer & Clinical Content Reviewer Registered with GPhC (No. 2241935) Next review due on January 10, 2027.

Last updated on Jan 09, 2024.

Product info

Liftulo is one of the first JAK inhibitors to treat severe alopecia.
It focuses on the root cause to prevent your immune system from attacking your hair follicles.
The typical dosage is one capsule a day taken with or without food.

Price checker

Prices include:

Express shipping
24 hour shipping by secure courier.
Consultation + Access to our clinicians
Ask our experts anything you like, any time you want.
Total
£1,495.95

Save £0.00 each order

Litfulo: essential info
Litfulo: instructions
Important stuff you need to know
FAQ

What is Litfulo?

Litfulo is the first FDA-approved treatment for severe alopecia areata in both adults and adolescents. It’s an oral capsule taken once a day that can help generate significant hair regrowth within just six months.^[1]

Alopecia areata is a chronic autoimmune condition where your immune cells attack your hair follicles. This eventually causes your hair follicles to die, resulting in hair loss.^[2] Because alopecia areata is a complicated disease with a number of factors that contribute to hair loss, scientists have so-far been unable to find a cure. However, there are treatments that can protect your hair follicles from further damage. One treatment that’s shown promising results in restoring hair loss is Ritlecitinib, the active ingredient in Litfulo.

How does Litfulo work?

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition where your immune cells mistakenly attack your hair cells, leading to hair loss. There are many reasons why this happens, and one key factor is the JAK/STAT signalling pathway in your immune system.

The JAK/STAT pathway sends signals to your immune system to activate it. In many autoimmune conditions, like alopecia areata, these pathways are uncontrolled and unregulated, resulting in unintended signals being sent to immune cells. This can prompt your immune system to attack your hair cells, causing them to fall out.^[3]

Ritlecitinib, the active ingredient is Litfulo, can stop these signals from being sent. It works by binding to the proteins in the JAK/STAT pathway, which blocks them from sending any unintended signals.^[3] This prevents your immune cells from attacking your hair follicles — reducing hair loss.

What doses of Litfulo are there?

There’s only a 50mg dose of Litfulo available. A daily dose of 50mg is taken until you’re happy with your results or your clinician thinks it’s best to stop. But to make sure you’re safe throughout your treatment, you’ll be monitored with regular blood checkups.

Treated trusted sources:

LITFULO (ritlecitinib). 2023. FAQ: What were the results of the LITFULO clinical study?
Pratt, C. H., Messenger, A. G., Christiano, A. M., & Sundberg, J. P. (2017). Alopecia areata. Nature Reviews. Disease Primers, 3, 17011.
Ramírez-Marín, H. A., & Tosti, A. (2022). Evaluating the Therapeutic Potential of Ritlecitinib for the Treatment of Alopecia Areata. Drug Design, Development and Therapy, 16, 363-374.

This page was written by The Treated Content Team.

This page was medically reviewed by Dr Alexandra Cristina Cowell on January 10, 2024. Next review due on January 10, 2027.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

FAQ: Litfulo

Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

How effective is Litfulo for alopecia areata?

Answer:

During a 48-week-long clinical study, 261 participants with alopecia, both male and female, took either Litfulo or a placebo. More than half the participants had lost more than half of their hair. The participants were of different ages (between 12 to 73 years old) and came from various ethnic backgrounds.^[1]

By week 24, nearly 25% of participants saw significant hair regrowth that covered 80% or more of their scalp compared to only 1.6% in the placebo group. Additionally, 13.4% of participants found 90% or more of their hair regrew, compared to only 1.5% on placebo.^[1]

What are the side effects of Litfulo?

Answer:

As with all medicines, Litfulo can cause some side effects that may affect some people. Common side effects include:

Diarrhoea

Headache

Dizziness

Acne

Rash

Inflammation of the hair follicles

If you experience any of these side effects or if you find them uncomfortable, let your clinician know and they’ll help you deal with them. For more information on side effects, check the patient information leaflet that comes with your treatment.

How does Litfulo compare with other treatments for alopecia?

Answer:

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease, and like most autoimmune conditions, there’s no cure for it. Instead, treatments are usually aimed at preventing hair loss by suppressing the immune system. Currently, there are two popular treatments for alopecia areata:

Steroids

Janus kinases (JAK) inhibitors

Steroids can help hair regrow by suppressing your immune system, which stops it from attacking your hair follicles. This allows your hair to regrow uninterrupted.

There are three forms of steroids you can get for alopecia areata: topical, oral and intralesional (injections). One study found that 71% of those using intralesional steroids had hair growth compared to 75% in the placebo group. In another study, patients using 0.1% topical betamethasone valerate foam (a topical steroid) achieved 75% hair regrowth.^[2] So there’s evidence to show they’re effective.

JAK inhibitors, on the other hand, are newer drugs (approved by the FDA as recently as June 2023). JAK is the name of the signalling pathway that sends signals to the immune system. When this pathway becomes unregulated, accidental signals are sent to the immune cells to attack the hair follicles. This results in hair damage and loss. JAK inhibitors can stop this from happening by blocking the signals from being sent.

There are other treatments available for alopecia, like topical retinoids or minoxidil, but these are typically given as an additional treatment alongside a main one because they’re less effective.^[3]

How does Litfulo compare with Olumiant?

Answer:

Litfulo and Olumiant fall into the same group of drugs — JAK inhibitors. They work by stopping signals from being sent to your immune system in the JAK pathway. This stops your immune cells from attacking your hair follicles. However, there are some key differences between the two, like:

The active ingredient. Ritlecitinib is the active ingredient in Litfulo, whereas baricitinib is the active ingredient in Oluminat, so the exact way they work won’t be the same. And if one doesn't work for you, you can always try the other.

The brand/manufacturer. Both products are produced by separate companies.

The dose. Litfulo is only available in a 50mg dose, whereas Olumiant is available in three doses: 4mg, 2mg and 1mg. Unlike Litfulo where you start and remain on one dose, with Olumiant you start on a lower dose of 2mg, which is increased to 4 mg around the three-month mark.

Litfulo is approved in adults and children ages 12 and over with severe alopecia areata, while Oluminat is only approved in adults.

Can I take Litfulo while breastfeeding or pregnant?

Answer:

No, don’t take Litfulo whilst pregnant, as it could affect the development of your baby. If you’re a woman of childbearing age, you should use an effective method of contraception throughout your treatment course. If you do get pregnant, make sure to tell your clinician straight away.

Additionally, don't take Litfulo while breastfeeding. Although there isn't much information as to whether it passes in breast milk, it's best to avoid taking it when breastfeeding.

Is Litfulo only available with a prescription?

Answer:

Yes, Litfulo is only available with a prescription. This is to make sure it’s safe and suitable for you to use.

Treated trusted sources:

LITFULO (ritlecitinib). 2023. FAQ: What were the results of the LITFULO clinical study?
Alsantali, A. (2011). Alopecia areata: A new treatment plan. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 4, 107-115.
Malhotra, K., & Madke, B. (2023). An Updated Review on Current Treatment of Alopecia Areata and Newer Therapeutic Options. International Journal of Trichology, 15(1), 3-12