Thousands of adults suffering from severe hair loss may soon have the chance to regrow it thanks to a new pill approved for use in Britain.
The British Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has approved Deuruxolitinib, also known by the trade name Leqselvi, a treatment for people suffering from Alopecia Areata, a severe form of hair loss.
In clinical trials, almost a third of patients who took this drug managed to regrow at least 80% of their scalp hair within six months, giving new hope to thousands of people living with this condition.
What is alopecia areata?
Alopecia areata affects about one in 500 people. It occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, causing hair loss on various parts of the head, face, or body.
The disease can appear at any age, but is most common in young adults. Various factors such as stress, viral infections, or other health problems can trigger it.
In recent years, celebrities like Jada Pinkett Smith, Louis Theroux, and Matt Lucas have spoken publicly about their experiences with alopecia, raising awareness of the condition.
How does the new drug work?
The new drug works by reducing inflammation and preventing the immune system from damaging hair follicles, allowing them to resume hair production.
In clinical studies with over 1,200 adults who had lost at least half of their hair for more than six months, participants took either the drug twice a day or a placebo pill for 24 weeks.
After six months:
about 30% of patients regained at least 80% of their scalp hair
almost one in four regained over 90% of their hair
The treatment is taken only with a medical prescription, usually at a dose of 8 mg twice a day.
According to Julian Beach, this approval gives patients a new treatment option. He emphasized that the safety and effectiveness of the drug will be continuously monitored.
When will it be available?
The drug will not be immediately available through the British public health system until it has been assessed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence for its cost-benefit. Until then, it can only be obtained by private prescription.
The emotional impact of the disease
For many people, alopecia has a major psychological impact. Many experience loss of self-confidence and anxiety about their appearance.
In some cases, hair loss also affects eyelashes, eyebrows, and hair on other parts of the body, which can increase the risk of infections and affect body temperature regulation.
However, hair follicles are usually not destroyed, but only become inactive, which means that hair growth is still possible.
Other new treatments
This isn't the only drug recently approved for this condition. Ritlecitinib, a once-daily capsule used to treat severe alopecia areata in adolescents and adults, was also approved in 2024.
This drug, manufactured by Pfizer, belongs to a group of drugs called JAK inhibitors, which work by reducing immune system activity and inflammation that leads to hair loss.
Experts say these new treatments could represent a significant step forward for people suffering from this condition. /GazetaExpress/
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