Ritlecitinib as a Treatment for Severe Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that is characterized by limited, moderate, or severe hair loss in patients. No treatment for patients as young as 12 with moderate to severe alopecia areata had been approved by the Food and Drug Administration prior to its approval of ritlecitinib to treat severe alopecia areata. This course will briefly discuss alopecia areata and its epidemiology, definition, prevalence, and risk factors. In addition, ritlecitinib will be reviewed as an option to treat patients with severe alopecia areata, and counseling and coping tips will be mentioned. This discussion will include a review of the role of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians within an interdisciplinary approach to treating severe alopecia areata.