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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
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by AlopeciaDestroyedMyLife on
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Yes the full 11 months.
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Permalink Reply by PA44totracon on
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Wow man looks amazing. Your eyebrows look 100%.
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Thanks, they can get by now although there are some minor bits at the top that are still filling in (hardly noticeable really)
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Wow, that is awesome ADML! Really happy for you - are you still taking three pills/day? Looks like you are having success on that dosage, though I wonder if you have spoken to Dr. King about increasing to 20 mg/day (not sure how safe that would be, but just curious). Also, have you had any lifestyle changes (diet, stress, exercise, etc.) to complement your time on Xeljanz?
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Thanks, Yes i'm on 3 pills 15mg a day. There are some people who are taking 20mg a day . The hair will grow at it's own rate even at very high doses. As long as you are growing hair that is an indication that your immune system has been suppressed enough. Increasing the dosage wouldn't make the hair grow any faster unfortunately.
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Permalink Reply by DJ88 on
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Those are some good results,man. If you look closely, the hair is actually everywhere on the scalp. Some is just taller then others. That's cool
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The sides still need to come through as well as some more of the back. The top and front are the most important (very happy that it looks like it's growing in!) . I could have a hairstyle with that and with the tattoo it will look like i've shaved the sides and back.
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it looks great!!!!! have you had any side effects?
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I had a quite a few colds and a fever at one stage but I've always recovered (touch wood). I make a deliberate effort to stay away from anyone who is sick.
I've also gained some weight.
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Hi ADML, I have gained weight also since starting Xeljanz and I have even been eating less. Do you think this is a side effect? I would really hate to be fat and bald if this does not work.
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Hi, yes it is a side effect . The weight gain isn't extreme but it is there.
The best way to combat this is to exercise more than you usually do. Just go for that extra walk for 45 mins or so and to try to cut down on fatty foods.
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