Generic name: deuruxolitinib [ due-RUX-oh-LI-ti-nib ]
Brand name: Leqselvi
Dosage form: oral tablet (8 mg)
Drug class: Multikinase inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Jul 15, 2025. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is deuruxolitinib?

Deuruxolitinib is used in adults to treat a certain type of hair loss called severe alopecia areata.

Your doctor will perform tests to make sure deuruxolitinib is the right treatment for you.

Deuruxolitinib may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Deuruxolitinib 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 deuruxolitinib 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.

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

• signs of infection--fever, 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.

Common side effects of deuruxolitinib 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.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Related/similar drugs

Warnings

Taking deuruxolitinib 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 have a fever, chills, cough, body aches, tiredness, 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, pain or tenderness in one or both legs.

Before taking this medicine

Tell your doctor if you have any signs of infection such as fever, chills, cough, body aches, tiredness, open sores or skin wounds, diarrhea, stomach pain, weight loss, painful urination, or coughing up blood.

Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:

• are being treated for an active or chronic infection;

• use any other medications;

• a weak immune system (caused by disease such as HIV or by using certain medicine);

• herpes zoster (also called shingles);

• chronic lung disease;

• a blood clot, stroke, heart attack, or other heart problems;

• high cholesterol;

• diverticulitis or an ulcer in the stomach or intestines;

• diabetes;

• low red or white blood cell counts;

• any type of cancer;

• if you smoke or have smoked in the past; or

• liver (especially hepatitis B or hepatitis C) or kidney disease.

Tell your doctor if you've had or been exposed to tuberculosis or other infections, or if you recently traveled. Tuberculosis and some fungal infections are more common in certain parts of the world, and you may have been exposed during travel.

Tell your doctor if you recently received a vaccine or are scheduled to receive a vaccine. Make sure you are current on all vaccines before you start using deuruxolitinib.

Using deuruxolitinib may increase your risk of developing certain cancers such as lymphoma, lung, and skin cancers. Ask your doctor about your individual risk and skin symptoms to watch for.

It is not known if deuruxolitinib will harm an unborn baby. Use birth control and tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of deuruxolitinib on the baby.

Do not breastfeed while using deuruxolitinib, and for at least 1 day after your last dose.

How should I take deuruxolitinib?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Before you use deuruxolitinib, your doctor will test you for tuberculosis or other infections. Your blood will be tested before and during treatment with deuruxolitinib.

Deuruxolitinib is usually taken twice per day with or without food.

You may get infections more easily, even serious or fatal infections. You will need other medical tests before and during treatment with deuruxolitinib.

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using deuruxolitinib.

Store this medicine in the original container at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Deuruxolitinib dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Alopecia:

8 mg orally twice a day

Comments:
-This drug is not recommended for use in combination with other Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, biologic immunomodulators, cyclosporine, or any other potent immunosuppressants.

Use: For the treatment of adults with severe alopecia areata

What happens if I miss a dose?

Skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking deuruxolitinib?

Avoid receiving a "live" vaccine while you are being treated or right before starting treatment with deuruxolitinib. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), and zoster (shingles).

What other drugs will affect deuruxolitinib?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medicines at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you use, which may increase side effects or make the medicines less effective.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can affect deuruxolitinib, especially:

• drugs that weaken the immune system such as cyclosporine; or

• medicines to treat psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other autoimmune disorders.

Many drugs can affect deuruxolitinib, and some drugs should not be used at the same time. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here.

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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

Medical Disclaimer

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