Pronunciation: lek-sel-vee
Generic name: deuruxolitinib
Dosage form: tablet (8 mg)
Drug class: Multikinase inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on July 28, 2025.

What is Leqselvi?

Leqselvi (deuruxolitinib) is a JAK (Janus kinase) inhibitor used to treat severe hair loss (alopecia areata) in adults. Leqselvi is a tablet taken twice daily to help hair growth in affected areas.

Leqselvi FDA approval was received on July 25, 2024, for the company Sun Pharma after positive results from the clinical trials THRIVE-AA1 and THRIVE-AA2. Patients started with an average of 13% of their scalp having hair coverage, and after 6 months of taking Leqselvi, more than 30% of patients had 80% hair coverage, and up to 25% had 90% or more hair coverage of the scalp.

Leqselvi is not recommended in combination with other JAK inhibitors, biologic immunomodulators, cyclosporine, or other potent immunosuppressants. 

What is alopecia areata?

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition caused by the immune system wrongly attacking hair follicles, causing hair loss. Hair is usually lost in small round patches on the head and face. Hair loss patches can become larger and spread to other areas of the body, or hair may regrow and improve over a few months.  

How does Leqselvi work?

JAK enzymes are proteins that send signals to cause inflammation and an immune response, which may lead to alopecia areata and other autoimmune conditions. Leqselvi works by binding to JAK enzymes, which block the overactive immune response and reduce inflammation of the hair follicle. This results in healthier hair follicles, which in turn improves hair growth. Leqselvi’s mechanism of action is as a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor that targets the JAK1 and JAK2 pathways. 

Leqselvi side effects  

Common side effects

Common side effects of Leqselvi may include:

• headache, tiredness, weight gain;

• acne, a skin infection, cold sores around your mouth, skin sores or blisters;

• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat; or

• abnormal blood tests.

Serious Leqselvi side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Some people taking Leqselvi have developed heart attacks, strokes, or serious blood clots. Stop taking deuruxolitinib and seek emergency medical attention if you have:

• signs of a heart attack or stroke - chest pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, feeling short of breath; or

• signs of a blood clot - severe headache, sudden chest or back pain, sudden cough or shortness of breath, or pain, swelling, or warmth in one or both legs.

Leqselvi may cause other serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• signs of infection - ever, chills, sore throat, body aches, easy bruising or bleeding;

• signs of tuberculosis - cough, night sweats, loss of appetite, weight loss, and feeling very tired;

• a hole (perforation) in your digestive tract - severe stomach pain, change in bowel habits; or

• symptoms of herpes zoster (shingles) - skin sores or blisters, itching, tingling, burning pain, rash on your face or torso.

Your treatments may be delayed or permanently discontinued if you have certain side effects.

Also, see the Warning section. 

Related/similar drugs

Warnings

Taking Leqselvi may increase your risk of life-threatening medical problems including serious infections, a heart attack or stroke, blood clots, or cancer.

Call your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms: fever, chills, cough, body aches, fatigue, open sores or skin wounds, diarrhea, stomach pain, weight loss, painful urination, or coughing up blood.

Seek emergency medical attention if you have sudden shortness of breath, chest pain or discomfort spreading to your neck or arms, nausea, feeling light-headed, swelling, a cold sweat, weakness on one side of your body, slurred speech, or pain or tenderness in one or both legs.

Before taking this medicine 

Before taking Leqselvi, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• have an infection.
• are you a current or past smoker.
• have had a heart attack, or other heart problems or stroke.
• have you had blood clots in your legs, lungs or brain.
• have kidney problems.
• have liver problems.
• have any stomach area (abdominal) pain or been diagnosed with diverticulitis or ulcers in your stomach or intestine.
• have low red or white blood cell counts.
• have recently received or are scheduled to receive a vaccine. You should not receive live vaccines if you take this medicine.

Pregnancy

Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, as it is not known if Leqselvi will harm an unborn baby. 

Females who are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with Leqselvi. Talk to your healthcare provider about birth control methods that may be right for you during treatment with this medicine.

If you become pregnant during treatment with this medicine, call Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries, Inc. at 1-800-818-4555 to report your pregnancy.

Breastfeeding

Tell your healthcare provider you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Leqselvi passes into your breastmilk. You should not breastfeed during treatment with Leqselvi and for 1 day after the last dose. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during treatment with this medicine.

How should I take Leqselvi?

Leqselvi tablets are taken twice a day with or without food. 

Leqselvi dosing information

Usual Leqselvi dose is 8 mg twice daily.

Leqselvi is available in 8mg tablets.

What happens if I miss a dose?

If a dose is missed, skip the missed dose and resume dosing at the next scheduled dose.

What happens if I overdose?

In case of overdose, consider contacting the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 for the latest recommendations.

Interactions

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Leqselvi and other medicines may affect each other causing side effects.

Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take medicines that affect your immune system such as biologic medicines, other JAK inhibitors, and strong immunosuppressants (such as cyclosporine) as these medicines may increase your risk of infection.

Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you are not sure if you are taking one of these medicines.

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist whenever you get a new medicine.

Leqselvi is contraindicated in patients taking a moderate or strong CYP2C9 inhibitor.

Not all possible interactions are listed here.

Storage

• Store at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
• Store tablets in the original container to protect from moisture.
• Bottle comes with a child-resistant cap. 
• Keep Leqselvi and all medicines out of the reach of children.

Ingredients

Active ingredient: deuruxolitinib 

Inactive ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, lactose monohydrate, low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose and povidone. The tablet film coat contains: carmine, FD&C blue #2 aluminum lake, glyceryl mono and dicaprylocaprate, polyvinyl alcohol, sodium lauryl sulfate, talc, and titanium dioxide.

Company

Manufactured for Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. by Halo Pharmaceutical Inc., Whippany, NJ, 07981, USA.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer