Xeljanz (Tofacitinib Citrate): My experience on the trial

I have received a lot of interest from others on here in my involvement with the Xeljanz trials at Yale.

I thought it would be nice for everyone if I documented my progress on here. 

Xeljanz is a Jak3 inhibitor and is believed to work with alopecia by turning off the distress signal relayed by the hair follicle to the attacking immune system which is the cause of the hairs falling out. Xeljanz comes in a strength of 5mg per pill and a full box contains 60 tablets. The recommended dosage for arthritis is 1 tablet in the morning and another in the evening each day.

The trial is set in a series of stages and there are requirements before participating. These include monthly visits and blood tests every 2 weeks. Dr Brett King is absolutely fantastic and is an inspiration to me. His positivity and enthusiasm gives me the much needed hope I have craved for over a decade. I have been put on a low dose to start with which is 1 tablet every other day. My dosage has now been increased to 1 tablet every day and next month it could be increased to 2 tablets per day depending on the results. 

I have completed my first month and have already noticed my alopecia has stabilised . I have not lost any existing hairs. In addition to this I have seen little hairs growing in my chest area as well as eyebrows. Fingers crossed! To date, I have experienced no side effects.

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AW:  Other discussions on Xeljanz / Tofacitinib

https://alopeciaworld.com/main/search/search?q=Tofacitinib

 

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Beth on March 21, 2016 at 6:35pm
Football Fan,
I echo Xeljanzmiracle's sentiments 100%. Best wishes on your new treatment direction.
Permalink Reply by Starshine on March 21, 2016 at 7:39pm
Thats great news Football fan, I am so happy for you. Its funny, you are one of the few who are responding to the topical so far. Keep updating.
Permalink Reply by HS on March 21, 2016 at 10:50pm

Football Fan - this is GREAT news!! I'm so happy for you? Who is the dermatologist in LA? I lived there for 20 years and left in August 2014, and I saw several dermatologists there. My last dermatologist was THE best - his name is Peyman Gashri and he's in Tarzana. He has a VERY steady hand and would inject kenalog along my lash lines (and eyebrows and scalp) and it worked. I used to go in every 3rd Friday for my lashes and brows. He's truly an amazing doctor.

Permalink Reply by Football fan on March 22, 2016 at 1:56am
Thank you everyone this is the first positive response to medication in 10 months!A very long way to go will keep everyone posted.This is such an emotional disease I have cried so many times over this and always by myself I would never want to upset my family or friends!The Doctor I go to is in Santa Monica Dr Madkan she took over Doctor Stricks practice.She was so excited she gave me a big hug.
Permalink Reply by Xeljanzmiracle on March 22, 2016 at 10:38am
Wildstar. You were going to a dermatologist on March 8th to get your prescription for Xeljanz? What happened? Did you get it?
Permalink Reply by Xeljanzmiracle on March 22, 2016 at 8:56am
Football fan, again wonderful news for you after so long! You never told us where the new growth is. On your scalp or eyebrow?
Permalink Reply by Football fan on March 22, 2016 at 6:43pm
Xeljanzmiracle I used the cream on one eyebrow and two large patches.Funny thing though last time my hair grew back I was on malaria pills for a month (on vacation in Roatan)and two months later my hair started growing!was on Plaquenil for 3 months and have been off it two weeks and some regrowth!Might start taking one plaquenil a day just in case. Not sure why my body isn't responding as quickly as everyone else but since I've been on xeljanz (10 months now) I haven't been sick once and it seems like everyone else on it are getting more colds.
Permalink Reply by marisa on March 22, 2016 at 11:04pm
Very happy for you! What percent is the topical cream?
Permalink Reply by Xeljanzmiracle on March 23, 2016 at 3:07am
I haven't seen any posts that indicate most people on it have more colds. Just one guy did, until he got off of the other non-Xeljanz medication he was on. Anyway I think what we all want to know is WHERE did you see your regrowth Football fan? On your eyebrow or your scalp? You are the first person on here that has reported growth using the topical. And actually in fact, you are on the oral and cream form of Xeljanz and finally had success.
Permalink Reply by Return_life on March 22, 2016 at 10:53am
Good news buddy. Happy for you cause u seemed like u were one of the few non responder. Another point for xeljanz.
Where did u apply the cream? Eyebrows or scalp?
Permalink Reply by penny on March 31, 2016 at 5:50pm

I'm taking my 13 year old son to Dr Madkan in Santa Monica for DNCB treatment.  She was very excited at his last appointment on how quickly he's responding to treatment.  She really is a compassionate doctor who cares for her alopecia patients.

Permalink Reply by thanmikron on March 22, 2016 at 3:17am

All - if both Xeljanz and Ruxolitinib are a temporay solution and people lose their hair when they stop the medication, what differentiate them from cortizone (pills or injection) that has been out there for long time?

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