JAK inhibitors for alopecia areata: developments in 2024–2026

What happened between 2024 and 2026?

Between July 2024 and September 2026, three oral JAK inhibitors received new approvals for severe alopecia areata: deuruxolitinib in the US and the UK, upadacitinib in the European Union, and baricitinib for adolescents in the US. Study results for ritlecitinib and upadacitinib were also published in peer-reviewed journals. We have grouped the details by active ingredient.

Deuruxolitinib: approval in the US and the UK

In July 2024, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved deuruxolitinib for adults with severe alopecia areata. It was the third medication approved for alopecia areata in the US, after baricitinib (June 2022) and ritlecitinib (June 2023).

The UK’s drug regulator (MHRA) licensed the same active ingredient for the treatment of severe alopecia areata in adults on 10 March 2026 and announced the decision on 12 March 2026.

Baricitinib: extended to adolescents

On 26 February 2026, the committee of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) that evaluates medicines gave a positive opinion on the use of baricitinib for severe alopecia areata in adolescents aged 12 to 17. Some news sources reported that the European Commission issued its approval decision in April 2026; this date could not be verified from official records. In the US, the manufacturer announced on 25 September 2026 that the FDA had approved baricitinib for patients aged 12 and over with severe alopecia areata. Ritlecitinib’s US approval has covered patients aged 12 and over since June 2023.

Ritlecitinib: long-term results

Two-year results from a long-term follow-up study of ritlecitinib were published in peer-reviewed journals in 2025, and three-year results in 2026.

Upadacitinib: phase 3 results and EU approval

On 30 July and 21 August 2025, the manufacturer announced the first results of two phase 3 studies (the stage in which a medication is tested in large groups of patients before approval) in adolescents and adults with severe alopecia areata. According to the company’s announcements, an application for approval was submitted in the US in April 2026, while the European Commission approved upadacitinib for adolescents aged 12 and over and for adults in July 2026. The results of the two studies were published online in a peer-reviewed dermatology journal on 12 August 2026. At the time of writing, we could not verify whether a decision has been made on the US application.

What do JAK inhibitors do?

In alopecia areata, immune cells gather around hair roots in the growth phase and cause inflammation that disrupts hair production. To communicate, these cells use a signaling pathway in which enzymes called Janus kinases (JAK) play a role. By suppressing this pathway, JAK inhibitors aim to calm the immune response directed at the hair root. Because the hair root is usually not destroyed in alopecia areata, the hair can grow back once the inflammation settles down.

These medications do not cure the disease; they suppress its activity, and the hair may fall out again when the medication is stopped. They are prescription medications, and because of possible side effects such as infections, they are used under the supervision of a dermatologist, with regular check-ups and blood tests. The doctor decides who they are suitable for; do not start any of them on your own.

How strong is the evidence, and what is not known?

The rates below show the proportion of patients in whom at least 80% of the scalp was covered with hair (a score of 20 or less on a hair loss scale called SALT). A placebo is a comparison product that looks the same as the medication but contains no active ingredient.

When reading these figures, it helps to know the following:

• The medications cannot be ranked against each other. The rates come from different studies; the patients’ characteristics, follow-up periods and calculation methods are not the same.
• The long-term data have their limits. The ritlecitinib study had no placebo group, and the patients knew what they were taking. When only patients who attended check-ups are counted, the rate comes out higher; when the last available measurement is used for patients with missing measurements (the conservative calculation), it drops. The study enrolled people aged 12 and over with at least 25% hair loss on the scalp, whereas the approved use is for severe alopecia areata. The three-year analysis reported that about 88–90% of those who had responded in the first year kept their response, and that no new safety findings were seen.
• Safety warnings still apply. Headache and acne were among the most common side effects in the deuruxolitinib studies. The boxed warning in baricitinib’s US product information (the highest level of safety warning, covering the risks of serious infections, death, cancer, major cardiovascular events and blood clots) also applies to adolescents; the company stated that the safety profile in adolescents was similar to that in adults.
• The effects over many years are not yet known. What happens to the effect and safety of these medications over years of use is still being researched.

These rates describe the study groups; the response to the medication varies from person to person.

What is the situation in Turkey?

At the time of writing, we could not verify from official sources whether the active ingredients mentioned in this article are licensed for alopecia areata in Turkey, which age groups a license would cover, or whether they are reimbursed. Approval in another country does not mean that a medication is also approved or available in Turkey. If you have been diagnosed with alopecia areata, your dermatologist will assess which treatment is right for you.

What does this mean if you are considering a hair transplant?

These approvals are for severe alopecia areata; they do not cover male or female pattern hair loss. We explain how genetic hair loss progresses in our article on male pattern hair loss.

A hair transplant is not suitable while alopecia areata is active: transplanted hair can also be affected by the condition, and hair that has fallen out may grow back on its own or with treatment. We explain the reasons in detail in our article on alopecia areata, and we list the other situations in which a transplant may not be suitable in our article on who should not have a hair transplant.

• If you have been diagnosed with alopecia areata or suspect you may have it, see a dermatologist first; we do not diagnose online.
• If you take a JAK inhibitor or any other medication, tell the clinic you contact about a hair transplant before your examination; do not stop your medication without talking to your doctor.
• Even if the condition has been quiet for a long time, a transplant is discussed during the examination after your dermatologist has given their opinion.

If we suspect alopecia areata, we put the transplant plan on hold and refer you to a dermatologist. Whether you are suitable for a hair transplant is determined during the examination, and results also vary from person to person.