Litfulo (ritlecitinib) is a brand-name drug prescribed for severe alopecia areata in adults and some children. Litfulo comes as an oral capsule that’s typically taken once per day.

Litfulo is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat severe alopecia areata in adults and children ages 12 years and older. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that causes patchy hair loss on the scalp and other areas of the body.

Litfulo belongs to a drug class called kinase inhibitors. Litfulo is not available in a generic version.

Keep reading for specific information about Litfulo’s dosage, including its strength and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Litfulo, see this article.

Note: This article describes typical dosages for Litfulo provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Litfulo, always follow the dosage your doctor prescribes.

Below is information about Litfulo’s form, strength, and dosage.

Litfulo form

Litfulo comes as an oral capsule.

Litfulo strength

Litfulo comes in one strength of 50 milligrams (mg).

Typical dosages

The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for alopecia areata

Doctors may prescribe Litfulo to treat alopecia areata. If your doctor prescribes Litfulo for you, your dosage will likely be 50 mg taken once per day.

For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.

Children’s dosage

Litfulo is approved to treat alopecia areata in children ages 12 years and older.

The dosage is the same as the dosage for adults: 50 mg taken once per day.

Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.

Long-term treatment

Litfulo is meant to be taken as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Litfulo is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

Before you start taking Litfulo, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.

Litfulo comes as an oral capsule that you swallow whole. Do not divide, crush, or chew the capsule. You may take your dose with or without food.

It may be helpful to take Litfulo around the same time of day. This helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body so Litfulo can work effectively.

If you have trouble swallowing capsules, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you have questions about how to use Litfulo, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERS

Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.

If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Litfulo in an easy-open container. They may also recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.

If you miss a dose of Litfulo, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s less than 8 hours before your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed one. If you’re not sure whether you should take a missed dose or skip it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

It’s important that you don’t take more Litfulo than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you take more than the recommended amount of Litfulo

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Litfulo. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Litfulo.

Is the dosage of Litfulo similar to the dosage of Olumiant?

Yes, the forms and how often you take each drug are similar. Litfulo and Olumiant (baricitinib) are both taken once per day. Litfulo comes as an oral capsule, while Olumiant comes as an oral tablet.

The dose in milligrams for each drug differs because they have different active ingredients. Your doctor will prescribe the drug and the dosage that’s right for you.

To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.

How long does it take for Litfulo to start working?

Litfulo starts to work after your first dose, but it may take several weeks or months before you see the full benefit of the drug.

Your doctor may recommend taking pictures during treatment to keep track of your hair growth. They’ll also monitor your hair growth during your regular appointments to see whether the drug is working for you.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Litfulo treatment.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Litfulo for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Litfulo without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Litfulo that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Litfulo. These additional articles might be helpful:

  • More about Litfulo:For information about other aspects of Litfulo, refer to this article.
  • Side effects:To learn about side effects of Litfulo, see this article. You can also look at the Litfulo prescribing information.
  • Interactions: For details about what Litfulo interacts with, see this article.
  • Details about alopecia: To learn more about your condition, see this article on alopecia areata.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.