Health plans can change—so can your health insurance and prescription benefits. Once your new plan begins, XELSOURCE can help review your plan information, obtain Prior Authorization (PA) (if needed), and verify your XELJANZ coverage.
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 TMB on
-
Singh, ere is a good amount of info on the Consort trial:
The clinical trial is being conducted by Concert Pharmaceuticals, Inc., to study a new treatment called CTP‐543 in adult patients, age 18 to 65 years, with at least 50% hair loss. The study will determine if CTP‐543 is safe and effective in treating hair loss in patients with alopecia areata. Patients must have a diagnosis of alopecia areata and have an ongoing episode of current hair loss lasting between 6 months and 10 years. Patients should not be taking medicines to treat hair loss or medicines that alter their immune system. Patients will require blood work to make sure their organs are working normally and are not at risk when taking CTP‐543. Additional study entry requirements will be confirmed at the participating trial sites.
If patients are eligible to participate in the study, total time in the study will last up to 32 weeks (11 visits to the trial site), and up to 24 weeks on treatment. The study will look for changes in hair loss by testing CTP‐543 compared to placebo (a sugar pill) for 24 weeks. Study visits will occur every 2 to 4 weeks.
Changes in hair loss will be checked every 4 weeks and blood will be taken every 2 to 4 weeks for safety monitoring and research. CTP‐543 is similar to ruxolitinib (Jakafi) and may also have similar side effects. If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about this clinical trial, please click here for more details.At least one of the following trial sites are in your area and may be contacted for more information:
Suzanne Bruce and Associates, Houston, TX
Investigator: Suzanne Bruce, MD
Phone: (713) 985-0210Contour Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery Center, Palm Springs, CA
Investigator: Timothy Jochen, MD
Contact: Daniel Rangel; Phone: (760) 423‐4000Minnesota Clinical Study Center, Fridley, MN
Investigator: Steven Kempers, MD
Phone: (763) 502‐2941Northwest Dermatology, Portland, OR
Investigator: Janet Roberts, MD
Contact: Heather Cook; Phone: (503) 223‐1933 x 105Siperstein Dermatology, Boynton Beach, FL
Investigator: Julian Mackay‐Wiggan, MD
Contact: Stacy Stankiewicz; Phone: (561) 364‐7774
-
Permalink Reply by Kathy on
-
Yesterday I emailed the supervisor listed on the site about participating since Northwestern and my Dermatologist is involved. They responded today and said this round is currently full but to contact the doctor directly for future studies for this drug.
I was impressed with the quick response!
-
-
If I were to change insurances mid year does anyone know if xelsource will stop sending me medicine?
-
-
Unlikely, as long as you are still privately insured and not switching to Medicaid. I would notify them of the change though, and if there is a lapse in coverage that will probably temporarily disqualify you until the new insurance kicks in.
-
-
I was wondering because I am thinking about searching for a new job. The pay increase shouldn't knock me off however I do want Xeljanz. There wouldn't be a lapse in coverage at all, but would they know?
Would I have to go through the entire approval process again
-
-
I'm not sure if you would have to go thru the whole process again, or whether they would know. Sorry. This is what is says on their website regarding changing insurance:
-
-
The answer in my daughters case is no - once you are approved, the pharmacy takes over with sending out the meds and they have nothing to do with the insurance. We have changed insurance every year after we were approved for the hardship year and have never had any problems - each year you have to reapply for the hardship program and that is the point at which you have to give them your insurance information. Hope that helps!
-
-
Thank you, so your daughter changed insurances mid year without a hiccup and no questions asked from xelsource?
-
-
Update on my order and it's been 9 weeks, shaved my head on Saturday.
- Attachments:
-
-
20180314_180154.jpg, 1.7 MB -
20180314_180204.jpg, 1.6 MB
-
20180314_180220.jpg, 1.6 MB
-
-
-
That's amazing Newjack! It's coming back so dark and thick too. Wonderful success. Hope your beard has stopped feeling prickly. I reckon another month or so and you'll be back to "normal"
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
