Improvement of Recalcitrant Folliculitis Decalvans With Tirzepatide: A Case Report.
Cureus · 2024
Last updated 2026-06-12| Journal | Cureus, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Citations | 6 |
| Relative citation ratio | 1.41 |
| NIH percentile | 62 |
| Molecules | tirzepatide |
Abstract
Folliculitis decalvans (FD) is a chronic inflammatory alopecia characterized by painful, scarring lesions and recurrent flares, often complicated by secondary bacterial infections. Despite the use of topical and systemic anti-inflammatory or antimicrobial therapies, FD remains challenging to manage, with limited therapeutic advancements. We report a case of recalcitrant FD in a man in his 40s who experienced significant symptom improvement and hair regrowth following the initiation of tirzepatide for weight management. This case highlights a previously unreported therapeutic benefit of tirzepatide in FD, potentially mediated through its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. As glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists gain recognition for their efficacy in other inflammatory skin conditions, such as psoriasis and hidradenitis suppurativa, this case supports further exploration of their role in managing FD and other refractory dermatologic diseases.
Verbatim abstract via PubMed 39845205 ↗
Related research
- Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity.
- Tirzepatide versus Semaglutide Once Weekly in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.
- Efficacy and safety of a novel dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist tirzepatide in patients with type 2 diabetes (SURPASS-1): a double-blind, randomised, phase 3 trial.
- Tirzepatide for Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis with Liver Fibrosis.
- Tirzepatide for Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction and Obesity.
- Continued Treatment With Tirzepatide for Maintenance of Weight Reduction in Adults With Obesity: The SURMOUNT-4 Randomized Clinical Trial.
- Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity in people with type 2 diabetes (SURMOUNT-2): a double-blind, randomised, multicentre, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial.
- Tirzepatide versus insulin glargine in type 2 diabetes and increased cardiovascular risk (SURPASS-4): a randomised, open-label, parallel-group, multicentre, phase 3 trial.