Acne in Jak Inhibitor Users: JAKne

Acne occurs in 3-5 % of patients prescribed Janus kinase inhibitors

JAK inhibitors currently used in various hair loss disorders include tofacitinib, ruxolitinib and baricitinib. On June 13, 2022, baricitinib received FDA approved for a subset of hair loss patients with severe forms of alopecia areata. JAK inhibitors are also used off label for mild and moderate alopecia areata, and several scarring alopecias (including frontal fibrosing alopecia, lichen planopilaris and folliculitis decalvans).

It is important for patients to have a good understanding of the side effects and how common they are. Information on headaches, diarrhea, blood count changes, infections need to be conveyed as well as less common issues like blood clots, cancer, heart disease (the well known “boxed”warnings).

Acne is one side effect that can be seen in JAK inhibitor users. It occurs in 3-5 % of users. In the famous BRAVE AA trials published in the New England Journal that led to baricitinib being approved for severe alopecia areata, acne occurred in 5.9 % of those using the 4 mg dose and 2.2 % of those using placebo.

Acne occurs in 3-5 % of patients who use a group of medications known as janus kinase inhibitors (JAK) inhibitors.

REFERENCE

King B et al. Two Phase 3 Trials of Baricitinib for Alopecia Areata. N Engl J Med. 2022 May 5;386(18):1687-1699.