Treatment of persistent alopecia areata with sulfasalazine

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease with no definitive treatment, and
some cases persist despite standard therapies. Sulfasalazine has been reported to show
success in the treatment of persistent cases of alopecia areata.
Objective
To assess the efficacy of sulfasalazine in cases of recalcitrant alopecia areata that
do not respond to topical and intralesional corticosteroids, 5% minoxidil, or psoralen plus
ultraviolet-A (PUVA) therapy.
Methods
Thirty-nine patients with persistent alopecia areata received 3 g of oral sulfasalazine
for 6 months, and terminal hair regrowth was quantified as no response, moderate response,
or good response.
Results
A good response occurred in 10 of the 39 patients (25.6%), a moderate response in
12 (30.7%), and a poor or no response in 17 (43.5%).
Conclusion
Sulfasalazine can be used as an alternative drug in patients with persistent
alopecia areata.