Alopecia World
www.alopeciaworld.com
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.
-----------------------------
Related Post on Alopecia World:
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Xeljanz2015 on
-
Hi Sadele, my eyelashes are breaking before getting long enough, I saw Dr King a couple of weeks ago and we actually discussed trying Latisse on one side but I haven't started yet.
James2me hang in there and hopefully it will come soon! I got a response fast, but then it took a long time to fill in the entire scalp. I still have a few spots that can't be seen and I'm not wearing a wig anymore.
DJ88 I think everyone starts on 2 pills a day. -
-
-
Sadele...how long did it take for you to respond? I am on month 7 with very little to show as results...i do both pills and topical...and while on Xeljanz I have lost some of new hairs that did grow back...
-
-
-
DJ88 2 times a day of the 5mg, so 1 bottle of Xeljanz 5mg 60ct per month
-
Permalink Reply by DJ88 on
-
Oh ok, That makes sense. I wonder if there is a ratio to how quickly Xeljanz starts with some people. Like, if someone is AU but still has some white (vellus) hairs all over their body, will they response faster then someone that doesn't. Or do all people with AU still have some vellus hairs left behind?
-
-
I have had white hairs all over for a few months now except for eyelashes which I've had for almost 2 years now. I am on week 4 of xeljanz and right now I'm just fuzzier and eyelashes are still not darker or longer. I thought having the vellus hairs already would mean I would experience regrowth quicker like you said but it doesn't seem that way.
-
-
I have 30 percent terminal hair on my scalp most eyelashes eyebrows all facial hair and sporadic terminal hair all over my body and after over a year on xeljanz not responding.
-
Permalink Reply by sadele on
-
I was checked for lupus right when I started Xeljanz and I tested negative. I don't have lupus. I do, however, have another auto immune issue. I have Raynauds which I've always had.
-
Permalink Reply by Jcortez05 on
-
My ANa has been elevated since last year and every test has come back negative until the 4th retest last week for anti Dna ds quant which came up 1:10
-
-
So you got re-tested 4 different times?
I'm thinking of getting tested again as well but not sure if my dermatologist is the proper Dr. to review the results. Did you have your PCP or an Endocrinologist run the test?
I'm getting a bit frustrated too... my hair is growing by seems to shed and stay thin on top. There are still spots that don't have any hair. And my brows are not doing anything and my lases grow and fall out.... What a roller coaster.
Disclaimer
Any mention of products and services on Alopecia World is for informational purposes only; it does not imply a recommendation or endorsement by Alopecia World. Nor should any statement or representation on this site be construed as professional, medical or expert advice, or as pre-screened or endorsed by Alopecia World. Alopecia World is not responsible or liable for any of the views, opinions or conduct, online or offline, of any user or member of Alopecia World.
© 2025 Created by Alopecia World.
Powered by
