Alopecia Treatments: FDA-Approved Medications and Clinical Trials Underway

In 2017, about 100 people affected by alopecia areata (“alopecia”) shared their personal experiences with an FDA expert panel. Many people voiced their frustrations about the current treatment options for alopecia. Understandably, too. As a health condition that causes hair loss, there are many emotional and physical challenges of living with alopecia. 

As time has progressed, alopecia advocates like these are starting to be rewarded for their efforts. In June 2022, the FDA approved the first oral medication for alopecia. Two more followed suit in 2023 and 2024, respectively. And more alopecia treatment options may be on the way.

Alopecia itself is a form of hair loss. It’s thought to be a type of autoimmune disorder, but environmental factors can also play a role. Hair loss usually starts out patchy, with circular areas of hairlessness. It can happen anywhere on your body that grows hair (including eyebrows and eyelashes), but it usually starts at the scalp. Many people regrow their hair, but others do not.

Here, we’ll cover the latest medications being researched for alopecia and how they stack up to current treatments.

What are the current treatments for alopecia areata?

There’s currently no cure for alopecia. But people living with alopecia still have several treatment options to consider trying.

Olumiant

Olumiant (baricitinib) is an oral tablet that’s taken once daily. It’s a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor that helps calm inflammation. It was originally approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) back in 2018, but it’s gained a couple more uses since then.

Olumiant was approved to treat certain hospitalized adults with COVID-19 in May 2022. Then, in June 2022, the FDA approved it to treat adults with severe alopecia. Olumiant was the first oral treatment option to be fully approved for alopecia.

Olumiant’s approval for alopecia is discussed in another GoodRx Health article.

Litfulo

Litfulo (ritlecitinib) is a once-daily oral capsule. Another JAK inhibitor, it’s approved to treat severe alopecia in adults and kids ages 12 years and older. Litfulo is the first oral medication for adolescents with severe alopecia.

Litfulo and Olumiant work in a similar way. And they both promote scalp hair growth after several months of use. If age isn’t a factor, the best choice between the two may depend on your preferences, what’s available in your area, and cost.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• An alopecia story: One woman shares her experience living with alopecia areata and why she’s passionate about providing resources and support.

• An innovative way to regrow hair: Discover more about what Olumiant (baricitinib) is and how it treats alopecia.

• Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors on the way: JAK inhibitors are promising medications for alopecia and beyond. Here’s a list of JAK inhibitors that are making their way through clinical trials.

Leqselvi

Leqselvi (deuruxolitinib), another JAK inhibitor, is a twice-daily tablet. It’s a third option for adults living with severe alopecia.

Leqselvi was approved in July 2024. But it hasn’t launched commercially yet. A specific release timeline hasn’t been released yet. Make sure to check back with GoodRx for updates.

Off-label treatments

Olumiant, Litfulo, and Leqselvi aside, many medications are used off-label to treat alopecia. Since alopecia happens when your immune system starts to attack your hair follicles, many of these medications work by calming it down. This gives your hair a chance to grow back.

The best treatment(s) depend on your age, the affected parts of your body, and the severity of your symptoms.

Off-label treatments for mild alopecia include:

• Topical minoxidil (Rogaine)

• Oral minoxidil

• Topical corticosteroids such as clobetasol

• Injectable (intralesional) corticosteroids such as triamcinolone

Off-label treatments for moderate-to-severe alopecia include:

• Oral minoxidil

• Oral corticosteroids such as prednisolone

• Topical or contact immunotherapy

• Methotrexate

• Dupixent (dupilumab)

• Xeljanz (tofacitinib)

Alternative therapies are another option. They have less supporting data, but some people find them to be helpful. If you’re looking for another option, consider asking a healthcare professional about:

• Acupuncture

• Cryotherapy

• Topical melatonin

• Aromatherapy with essential oils

• Garlic extract

• Onion juice

• Anthralin

Which companies are working on developing treatments for alopecia areata?

Researchers have been working hard to find new and improved treatment options for people living with alopecia. It’s a significant area of growth, and over 100 clinical trials are currently underway.

One medication class of particular interest are JAK inhibitors. JAK inhibitors target a specific inflammatory pathway to promote hair growth in people with alopecia.

Let’s take a look at three JAK inhibitors that are leading the pack in clinical trials, following in Olumiant, Litfulo, and Leqselvi’s footsteps.

Rinvoq

Rinvoq (upadacitinib) is already approved for several inflammatory health conditions. It treats moderate-to-severe RA, eczema, ulcerative colitis, and more. Severe alopecia may join this list of approved uses down the line.

This oral tablet’s ability to treat alopecia is being studied in a phase 3 clinical trial. The study started in late 2023, and it’s set to run through January 2028. Rinvoq is made by AbbVie.

Gecacitinib

Suzhou Zelgen Biopharmaceuticals is developing their own JAK inhibitor, called gecacitinib — formerly known as jaktinib. It’s a twice-daily oral medication for severe alopecia.

Gecacitinib was most recently studied in two phase 3 clinical trials (Study 1, Study 2) in China. Study results haven’t been publicly announced yet, but they wrapped up in 2023 and 2024, respectively. The manufacturer is now working on phase 2 trials in the U.S. for gecacitinib.

A topical version of gecacitinib is being developed as well, but it's not as far along as the tablet. It’s a cream that’s being evaluated for mild-to-moderate cases of alopecia.

Ivarmacitinib

Ivarmacitinib is another JAK inhibitor in the works for severe alopecia in adults. It’s a once-daily tablet from Reistone Biopharma.

Researchers shared early phase 3 results at a U.S. dermatology conference in March 2025. So far, ivarmacitinib appears to be significantly more effective than a placebo at helping people regrow scalp hair.

That said, it’s not yet clear if or when Reistone will apply for FDA approval. Right now, the manufacturer is prioritizing ivarmacitinib’s development in China.

If eventually approved in the U.S., ivarmacitinib would become another oral treatment option for severe alopecia alongside Olumiant, Litfulo, and Leqselvi.

Other drug classes

JAK inhibitors aren’t the only alopecia medications in development. Here’s a summary of other notable options that are making their way through clinical trials.

Why is alopecia areata so difficult to treat?

Many of the medications listed above may improve hair growth for some people with alopecia, but not everyone. For others, it can be a trial-and-error process until they find something that works.

Some alopecia medications can cause serious, sometimes dangerous side effects. As a result, some healthcare professionals think certain medications might be too risky and costly to be used for hair regrowth. A healthcare professional can tell you which treatment options are safe for your situation.

Health experts are currently looking at additional medication options that can promote hair growth and limit bothersome side effects.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

Reviewed by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

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