Eli Lilly has obtained FDA approval for Olumiant® (baricitinib) oral tablets to treat severe alopecia areata in adults. Olumiant is now the first FDA-approved systemic treatment for the condition.

• Alopecia occurs when the immune system attacks hair follicles, causing hair loss. Alopecia areata describes the loss of hair in patches, usually on the face and scalp.
• Recommended Olumiant dosing for alopecia is 2mg once daily, increased to 4mg once daily if the response to treatment is not adequate. Patients who have complete or nearly complete scalp hair loss, with or without substantial eyelash or eyebrow hair loss, may start treatment at 4mg once daily. In all patients taking 4mg daily, the dose should be reduced to 2mg once daily when an adequate response has been achieved.
• Olumiant first received FDA approval in 2018. It is also indicated to treat moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis in adults who have had an inadequate response to one or more tumor necrosis factor blockers.