Litfulo (Ritlecitinib)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Litfulo Used For?
Litfulo is a prescription medication that helps treat severe alopecia areata, a condition where your body’s immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles.
Primary Uses
Litfulo is used to treat severe alopecia areata in adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older. Alopecia areata is a disease where the body’s own immune system attacks hair follicles, causing inflammation that leads to hair loss on the scalp, face and/or other parts of the body.
How It Works
Litfulo works by reducing the activity of enzymes called JAK3 and TEC kinases, which are involved in inflammation at the hair follicle. This reduces the inflammation, leading to hair regrowth in patients with alopecia areata.
How to Take Litfulo
Take Litfulo exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The medication comes as capsules that should be swallowed whole.
Dosage Instructions
The recommended dose of Litfulo is one 50 mg capsule taken once daily with or without food. Swallow the capsules whole – do not crush, split or chew them. Continue taking Litfulo until your doctor tells you to stop.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss your dose at the usual time, take it as soon as possible, then go back to taking Litfulo as you normally would. If it is almost time (less than 8 hours) for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you are meant to.
Important: Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- infections of the nose, throat or windpipe
- inflammation of the hair follicle which may be itchy or painful
- dizziness
- diarrhoea
- acne
- rash (other than hives or shingles)
- increase in an enzyme called creatine phosphokinase (identified by blood test)
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- shingles (herpes zoster) – a painful skin rash with blisters, with or without fever
- hives (urticaria) – an itching skin rash
Important Warnings
There are several important safety considerations before starting Litfulo. Your doctor will evaluate these factors to ensure the medication is safe for you.
Who Should Not Take Litfulo
Do not use Litfulo if you are allergic to ritlecitinib or any of the ingredients, have a serious ongoing infection including tuberculosis, have severe liver problems, or are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have any infections, diabetes, are older than 65 years, have or have had tuberculosis, have ever had herpes infections (chickenpox or shingles), have ever had hepatitis B or C, have cancer or have had cancer, have had blood clots in veins or arteries, plan to have vaccinations, or have unexplained nervous system symptoms. Litfulo can reduce your body’s ability to fight infections.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not use Litfulo if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby, as this medicine can harm the developing baby. Do not use while breast-feeding as it is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. If you are of childbearing age, use effective contraception during treatment and for at least one month after your last dose.
Infection Risk: Litfulo can reduce your body’s ability to fight infections and may worsen existing infections or make you more likely to get new infections.
Drug Interactions
Litfulo may increase the amount of certain medicines in your blood. Tell your doctor about all medications you are taking.
- anxiety or sleep disorder medications (such as midazolam)
- heart rhythm problem medications (such as quinidine)
- gout medications (such as colchicine)
- organ transplant rejection medications (such as ciclosporin, everolimus, tacrolimus and sirolimus)
- migraine medications (such as dihydroergotamine and ergotamine)
- schizophrenia and chronic psychosis medications (such as pimozide)
- asthma medications (such as theophylline)
- muscle spasm medications (such as tizanidine)
- idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis medications (such as pirfenidone)
Alcohol & Driving
Litfulo has minimal effects on your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Litfulo has no or limited effect on the ability to drive or use machines.
Storage
Store Litfulo below 30°C in the original container to protect from light. Keep it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Do not use after the expiry date and keep away from children.
Overdose Information
If you think you have used too much Litfulo, you may need urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
The source material does not specify how long Litfulo takes to work. Your doctor will monitor your progress through regular appointments to check how well the medication is working for you.
Yes, Litfulo can be taken once daily with or without food according to your preference.
If you miss your dose at the usual time, take it as soon as possible, then continue with your normal schedule. If it’s almost time (less than 8 hours) for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when scheduled. Never take a double dose.
Do not stop using Litfulo suddenly without talking to your doctor first. If you need to stop taking Litfulo for a short time (not more than 6 weeks), the risk of losing your scalp hair is low.
Yes, your doctor will carry out blood tests to check your white blood cell count and platelet count before starting treatment and approximately 4 weeks after starting. You should also have regular skin checks and keep all your appointments so your progress can be monitored.
Tell your doctor before you receive any vaccine. Certain vaccines (live vaccines) are not recommended while using Litfulo. Check with your doctor to see if your vaccinations are up to date and if you require additional vaccinations before starting treatment.
Wear sunscreen and sun-protective clothing when outdoors to avoid getting sunburnt. Have regular skin checks. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop signs of shingles (painful skin rash with blisters) or hives (itching skin rash).
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.