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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Related Post on Alopecia World:  

Xeljanz / Tofacitinib

Olumiant

Jak Inhibitors

 

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Permalink Reply by Katrina on March 18, 2017 at 9:59pm
Update...
26 year old female, no personal or family history of alopecia. Became 100% AU in a very rapid/diffuse way from the end of May to the end of July... unknown trigger. Started Xeljanz August 15.

Went from 2 pills for a couple months, to 3 pills for a couple months, then alternating 3/4 pills for a couple months, now I've been on 4 pills a day for a month.

So I just hit 7 months total on Xeljanz.


Just got my blood checked (CBC and full metabolic panel) for the 3rd time since starting the med- all is good!! Side effects: 2 serious colds and some weight gain.

Attached is a comparison of 6 months on Xeljanz vs. 7 months on Xeljanz.

Scalp is starting to fill in.. brows and lashes are still sparse.
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Permalink Reply by singh on March 19, 2017 at 11:04am
Amazing growth ! I think 3 or 4 pills would benefit a slow responder. Thanks for the update
Permalink Reply by RahulAlopecia on March 23, 2017 at 3:18pm

This is very encouraging. I have been on the med for about three months now and have virtually seen no progress except for my hair fall has been stabilized. My doctor told me to give it a six month to see if I would respond before deciding to increase the dose. 

Permalink Reply by Jcortez05 on March 18, 2017 at 11:42pm
A few days shy of 7th month since I shaved it ( for 2nd time ) it starting to thin again and I knew it would bc I got really anxious and stressed 1 month ago ..
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Permalink Reply by singh on March 19, 2017 at 11:03am
Amazing jcortez! It just shows one of the underlying problems that can cause hair loss is stress and depression.
Permalink Reply by dreamscometrue on March 19, 2017 at 11:09am

Makes perfect sense

Permalink Reply by RahulAlopecia on March 23, 2017 at 3:19pm

Congratulations. I have been on the Med for three months my self but haven't seen any growth yet. Will continue to take the med for few months to see if my body would respond.

Permalink Reply by singh on March 23, 2017 at 3:48pm
What dose your taking ?
Permalink Reply by RahulAlopecia on March 23, 2017 at 4:51pm

2 tabs of 5mg a day. one in the morning and one in evening.

Permalink Reply by RahulAlopecia on March 23, 2017 at 3:20pm

Is anyone on this group from Chicago and getting their treatment from Northwestern dermatology?

Permalink Reply by Lindzzej on March 23, 2017 at 3:29pm
I'm curious about that myself, if someone could link me to that that'd be awesome.
Permalink Reply by RahulAlopecia on March 23, 2017 at 4:50pm

hey Lindzzej.. Are you in Chicago? If so, I can refer you to my derm at North western hospital. The hospital is a big name but have very bad processes and it takes them forever to respond to your questions or concerns.

Doctors aren't that great either, but they are the best we have here in Chicago I guess. Let me know if you'd like to discuss.

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