12/09/2026
A drug already used to treat inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis has produced striking hair regrowth in people with severe alopecia areata.
In two large Phase 3 clinical trials involving 1,399 adults and adolescents, researchers tested upadacitinib, sold under the brand name Rinvoq, in patients who had lost at least half of their scalp hair.
After just 24 weeks, approximately 54–55% of patients taking the higher 30 mg daily dose had at least 80% scalp-hair coverage. Even more remarkably, around 20–23% achieved complete scalp-hair regrowth.
The treatment also produced significant improvements in eyebrow and eyelash growth, with some responses becoming visible as early as eight weeks.
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles. Upadacitinib works by blocking JAK signaling pathways involved in the inflammatory immune response, allowing affected follicles to resume producing hair in some patients.
The findings do not mean the drug works completely for everyone, and upadacitinib is a powerful prescription medication with known risks that requires medical supervision. However, the trials found no new safety signals beyond its established safety profile.
The European Commission approved Rinvoq for severe alopecia areata in adults and adolescents aged 12 and older on July 29, 2026, while its use for alopecia areata remains under review by the U.S. FDA.
Source: Mostaghimi A. et al. (2026), JAMA Dermatology, “Upadacitinib for Severe Alopecia Areata in Adults and Adolescents: Two Phase 3 UP-AA Randomized Clinical Trials.”
