The media has recently been presenting Pfizer alopecia treatment Litfulo as a new hope for people experiencing autoimmune hair loss. And research shows that this drug can indeed be quite effective against alopecia areata. But can you also use Lifulo for male pattern baldness?
Unfortunately, there is currently no indication that ritlecitinib, the active ingredient in Litfulo, has any impact on androgenetic alopecia. However, fortunately, there are many other treatments that can help curb this common type of hair loss, which affects 85% of men [1] and 55% of women [2] at some point in their lives. This article will tell you all you need to know about Litfulo and hair loss, such as:
Litfulo is the brand name of a medication called ritlecitinib. This oral drug, sold by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, is in a class called Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. It is recommended for adults and children over the age of 12 who experience severe alopecia areata [3].
The FDA and MHRA approved Litfulo to treat this autoimmune hair loss condition in 2023. Research conducted so far shows very promising results in restoring hair in patients with advanced patchy hair loss [4].
No, Litfulo has no effect on male pattern baldness. That is because its active ingredient, ritlecitinib, is only effective in regulating immune system activity. It can, therefore, treat autoimmune types of hair loss, such as alopecia areata, but not genetic and hormonal conditions, such as androgenetic alopecia.
Androgenetic alopecia occurs in people who have a genetic predisposition for developing this condition. It develops when a male hormone naturally present in your body called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) binds to androgen receptors in your hair follicles, making them shrink and causing hair miniaturisation. If left untreated, the affected hair follicles will eventually stop producing hair altogether [5].
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune hair loss condition. It occurs when your white blood cells attack your hair follicles as a result of an overactive immune system [6]. Your immune cells use signalling pathways to communicate and coordinate their attacks when they perceive a threat. However, in people with autoimmune disorders, this signalling creates intense inflammation even when no real threat is present.
JAKs are a type of enzyme that help your immune cells send each other signals, telling them to grow, organise and respond to threats [7]. Litfuko is a JAK3 inhibitor. It reduces the activity of JAK3 enzymes, which play a role in immune cell signalling. Inhibiting the activityof these enzymes can suppress your immune response [3].
According to research, Litfulo seems to work quite well for a single, specific type of autoimmune baldness: alopecia areata.
Several clinical trials conducted on ritlecitinib, the active ingredient in Litfulo, have revealed that this medication is generally safe and well-tolerated and that it can produce substantial hair growth in patients with alopecia areata, especially with higher medication doses [8][4].
A 2017 study [9] showed, on average, a 31.1% improvement in hair loss for patients with advanced alopecia areata (over 50% hair loss) treated with ritlecitinib for 24 weeks. This compared to only 1.4% improvement in the placebo group. The effects of this medication seem to be long-term, as one clinical trial found the patients’ clinical response to this medication was maintained through week 96 after treatment [10].
Litfulo may also help other types of autoimmune hair loss, such as that caused by scalp psoriasis or lichen planopilaris, as JAK inhibitors are sometimes used to treat these conditions [11]. However, specific research is needed to prove this effect.
While it is generally considered safe, some of the patients in clinical trials have reported the following reactions to ritlecitinib [10][9][13]:
Very rarely, patients who were treated with ritlecitinib developed more serious health problems, including a pulmonary embolism and (in two cases) breast cancer [4]. However, at this point, there is no evidence that this medication caused the respective life-threatening events.
Unlike other JAK inhibitors, ritlecitinib was not found to affect blood test results (for example, it didn’t impact cholesterol levels, lipid profile or serum creatine) [9][4].
You may want to reconsider using Litfulo for hair loss if any of the following apply to you [4]:
It is a good idea to provide your doctor with a thorough account of your medical history before they prescribe ritlecitinib for your hair loss. Never self-medicate with Litfulo, as it may interfere with your medication or pose a risk to your health.
If you are looking for effective, evidence-based treatments for male pattern baldness, here are some of the best options currently available.
If you are experiencing a receding hairline and/or a bald spot on your crown, a hair transplant may solve your hair loss problems forever. This procedure is fast, simple, and requires no hospitalisation. Your surgeon will harvest healthy hair follicles from the back of your head, where they are less sensitive to DHT. They will then transplant them to your balding areas in a manner that closely mimics their natural growth pattern.
Whether you opt for FUE or FUT hair restoration surgery, this option is as close as you can get to a cure for baldness with today’s technology. That is because while all the other treatments need to be consistently used, a hair transplant is permanent.
This medication is the most widely prescribed for male pattern baldness. That is because numerous studies have shown that Finasteride can effectively lower the level of DHT in your blood, curbing and even reversing androgenetic alopecia [13].
However, while it is safe and well-tolerated for long-term use by men, premenopausal women can’t use Finasteride, as it can cause birth defects and hormonal imbalances.
Dutasteride has been shown to be even more effective than Finasteride in reducing hair loss and stimulating regrowth in male pattern baldness, with similar side effects [14]. It inhibits all three types of 5-alpha reductase (the enzyme which converts some of your testosterone into DHT), while Finasteride only inhibits two of them [15].
However, at this time, Dutasteride is not yet approved for hair loss, so it can only be prescribed off-label. This drug is not recommended for premenopausal women either, for the same reasons as Finasteride.
If your hair loss is in the early stages, you can try Minoxidil. This medication is normally used topically. It works by dilating the small blood vessels in your scalp which nourish your hair follicles [16]. This helps more oxygen and nutrients reach them, giving them the resources they need to produce fuller, stronger, healthier hair.
Minoxidil can also help treat other conditions, such as alopecia areata and telogen effluvium.
Getting PRP hair treatment involves having a small quantity of blood taken from your arm. The blood is then spun at high speeds inside a centrifuge to separate the platelet-rich plasma from the other blood fraction. The PRP is then injected into the thinning areas of your scalp.
PRP contains high quantities of growth factors, which are released upon being injected into your scalp. These growth factors help repair your damaged hair follicles, as well as the small blood vessels that nourish them. In doing so, they stimulate your follicles for hair growth [17].
Red light therapy for hair growth is a form of low-level laser therapy that uses red or near-infrared light to curb hair thinning and increase hair density. The red light is absorbed by your scalp where it helps optimise cell function and improve mitochondrial activity. It also helps dilate the small blood vessels in your scalp, improving blood flow to your hair follicles.
This treatment has proven effectiveness in androgenetic alopecia, as well as other types of hair loss, such as alopecia areata [18].
If you are experiencing male pattern baldness and are struggling to find the right cure, we are here to help you. Book a consultation today with one of our trichologists.
They will take a detailed account of your health and hair loss history, perform a thorough scalp examination and ask you about your lifestyle and preferences. They will then recommend the best, personalised hair loss treatment for men with your specific characteristics. Find your nearest hair loss clinic location and book a consultation to get started.
If you still have questions about Litfulo and its impact on hair loss, find the answers among the responses to these frequently asked questions.
No, Lifulo cannot treat any kind of hormonal hair loss. It is only effective against alopecia areata, which is a type of autoimmune hair loss. So unless you are experiencing this condition, taking Litfulo will not help curb your hair thinning or improve your hair density in any way.
Yes, Litfulo has to be prescribed for you by a medical professional. It is never a good idea to take Litfulo without a prescription, as it can not only be ineffective but, depending on your health situation and any medications you may be taking, could also be harmful.
Litfulo has been FDA and MHRA-approved for the treatment of alopecia areata since 2023. It is not currently approved to treat any other type of alopecia.
You should always follow your prescribing doctor’s recommendations when taking Litfulo. Normally, patients take a 50 mg Litfulo pill once per day, with a little water. It is recommended that you swallow the pill whole without cutting, crushing or dissolving it.
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