Litfulo (ritlecitinib) is a prescription drug used to treat severe alopecia areata in adults and some children. The drug comes as an oral capsule. It’s usually taken once per day.
This section describes the usual dosage of Litfulo. Keep reading to learn more.
What is Litfulo’s form?
Litfulo is available as an oral capsule.
What strength does Litfulo come in?
Litfulo comes in one strength of 50 milligrams (mg).
What are the usual dosages of Litfulo?
The information below describes the dosage commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for alopecia areata
The typical Litfulo dosage for adults with severe alopecia areata is 50 mg taken once per day.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage of Litfulo.
What’s the dosage of Litfulo for children?
Litfulo is used to treat severe alopecia areata in children ages 12 years and older.
The dosage used in children is the same as the dosage for adults. To learn more, see the “What are the usual dosages of Litfulo?” section above.
For more information about Litfulo’s dosage for children, talk with your child’s doctor or a pharmacist.
Is Litfulo used long term?
Yes, Litfulo is usually used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.
Litfulo comes as an oral capsule. You can take Litfulo with or without food. Try to take the medication around the same time every day. This will keep steady levels of the medication in your body, which helps it work effectively.
You should not cut, chew, or crush Litfulo capsules. If you have trouble swallowing capsules, see this article for tips on how to take them.
For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Litfulo, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Accessible drug containers and labels
Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:
- have large print
- use braille
- feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio
Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.
Let your pharmacist know if you have trouble opening medication bottles. They may have tips to help, or they may be able to supply Litfulo in an easy-open container.
If you miss a dose of Litfulo, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s less than 8 hours until your next dose is due, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at its usual time. If you’re not sure whether you should take a missed dose, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
If you need help remembering to take your dose of Litfulo on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.
Do not take more Litfulo than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.
What to do in case you take too much Litfulo
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Litfulo. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Litfulo’s dosage.
Is Litfulo’s dosage similar to the dosages of Olumiant?
No. Although Litfulo and baricitinib (Olumiant) are both used to treat severe alopecia areata and come in similar forms, their dosages differ.
Litfulo comes as an oral capsule in one strength and is taken once daily. Olumiant comes as an oral tablet in three strengths. It’s also taken once per day.
In addition to treating alopecia areata, Olumiant is used to treat moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis and severe COVID-19. The dosage of Olumiant prescribed depends on the condition being treated and other factors.
Your doctor will prescribe the drug and the dosage that’s right for you. For more information about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor. You can also see this article to learn more about Olumiant’s dosage.
How long does it take for Litfulo to start working?
Litfulo starts to work after your first dose. But it may take several weeks before you begin to see results. In studies, it took around 24 weeks before most people noticed hair growth. Your doctor will monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working to treat your condition.
If you have other questions about what to expect from your Litfulo treatment, talk with your doctor.
The sections above describe the usual dosage provided by Litfulo’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends this drug, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.
Remember, you should not change your dosage of Litfulo without your doctor’s recommendation. Take Litfulo only exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.
Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor include:
- If I need to pause my Litfulo treatment due to side effects, will it affect my hair growth?
- How does Litfulo’s dosage compare with the dosage of clobetasol (Impoyz)?
- If I develop severe liver problems, will I need to stop taking Litfulo?
To learn more about Litfulo, see these articles:
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Disclaimer: Healthline 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.