New drug approved to treat baldness

Washington: A new drug has been approved in the US to treat a disease called alopecia areata that causes baldness.

US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the drug called Ritlecitinib to treat baldness.

This medicine will be helpful for patients aged 12 years and above who develop baldness as a result of an autoimmune disease.

In autoimmune diseases, the body's cells attack the hair roots, causing the hair to fall out from different places.

This new drug blocks specific enzymes that are part of the process that causes baldness.

Keep in mind that 6.8 million people are affected by alopecia in the United States alone, and the number of patients worldwide is in millions.

Earlier, in 2022, the first drug to treat alopecia was approved, but only for adults. However this new drug is also being declared effective for children.

The new medicine will be available in the coming weeks, although pricing has not yet been announced as yet.

Experts said that the drug inhibits proteins that cause cells to send signals that damage hair roots.

According to a statement issued by the FDA, access to safe and effective treatment is important, and the approval of this drug will significantly improve the treatment of patients with alopecia areata.