Formulary
Ritlecitinib: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Ritlecitinib selectively and irreversibly inhibits the Janus-associated tyrosine kinase JAK3 and the tyrosine kinase TEC.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Ritlecitinib: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Ritlecitinib selectively and irreversibly inhibits the Janus-associated tyrosine kinase JAK3 and the tyrosine kinase TEC.
Drug action
Ritlecitinib selectively and irreversibly inhibits the Janus-associated tyrosine kinase JAK3 and the tyrosine kinase TEC.
Indications and dose
**Alopecia areata (under expert supervision)**
- **Adult** (By Mouth): 50 mg once daily, consider discontinuation of treatment if no response after 36 weeks.
**Alopecia areata (under expert supervision) for ritlecitinib**
- **Child 12-17 years** (By mouth): 50 mg once daily, consider discontinuation of treatment if no response after 36 weeks.
Cautions
Chronic or recurrent infection; elderly (65 years and older); history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or other cardiovascular risk factors; history of serious or opportunistic infection; predisposition to infection; risk factors for malignancy; risk factors for thromboembolism; risk of viral reactivation (consult product literature); tuberculosis exposure Cautions, further information Tuberculosis Consider anti-tuberculosis therapy prior to initiation of ritlecitinib in patients with previously untreated latent tuberculosis and those at high risk of tuberculosis infection. M Immunisation Patients should receive all recommended vaccinations before starting treatment; live vaccines are not recommended immediately before, or during, treatment. M Thromboembolism If a thromboembolic event occurs during treatment, discontinuation of ritlecitinib is recommended. M
Contraindications
Absolute lymphocyte count less than 0.5 x 10 9 cells/litre (do not initiate); platelet count less than 100 x 10 9 cells/litre (do not initiate); serious infection (active); tuberculosis (active)
Side effects
Common or very common Diarrhoea; dizziness; headache; increased risk of infection; skin reactions Frequency not known Embolism and thrombosis; malignancy; non-melanoma skin cancer; reactivation of infections; sepsis
Pregnancy
Avoid (toxicity in animal studies). M
Breast feeding
Avoid (present in milk in animal studies). M
Hepatic impairment
Avoid in severe impairment (no information available). M
Medicinal forms
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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