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Patient Stories

Laura, an actual Olumiant patient

Patient Stories

Laura, an actual Olumiant patient

Olumiant is a prescription medication that is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, and is used to treat adults with severe alopecia areata.

Meet Laura

It started with a tiny bald spot on the back of her head. Then clumps of hair falling out in the shower. Laura consulted with her doctor, ultimately resulting in a diagnosis of severe alopecia areata.

Over the next few years, Laura found different ways to hide her appearance. Through it all, there wasn’t a day that passed she didn’t miss having her hair.

That's when her Olumiant journey began. Watch Laura's story below.

Laura was compensated for her time. Individual results may vary.


00:00

Caption + Graphic: Olumiant logo, “Olumiant is a prescription medication that is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, and is used to treat adults with severe alopecia areata. Olumiant may cause serious side effects, including: Serious infections, increased risk of death, cancer and immune system problems, increased risk of cardiovascular events and blood clots. Please see the Indications and Safety Summary with Warnings at the end of the video. Statements and visuals in this video are unique to the patient's individual experience on Olumiant for severe alopecia areata. Individual results may vary. Talk to your doctor to see if Olumiant is right for you. Participants were compensated for their time.”

00:19

[A woman appears in a shadow with a spotlight illuminating behind her. She begins doing yoga.]

VO Laura: Having been a performing artist for almost my entire life, I spent so much time in the spotlight. After I lost my hair, I didn't want people to look at me.

00:36

[The woman sits in a chair, talking to an interviewer off-camera.]

VO Laura: My name is Laura. I was diagnosed with severe alopecia areata in 2008.

00:48

[Photos and videos of the woman appear as a montage. She is seen doing yoga, performing as a ballerina, and in a video as an aerialist.]

VO Laura: As a performer, your hairstyle is part of the character that you play. I would put it up into a bun, usually for a classical role, or it would be free and flowing if I were doing a more contemporary dance. Not having that part of me and having that identity taken away was devastating.

Caption: “Laura is wearing a wig, which does not depict hair growth while on Olumiant.”

1:10

[The woman continues speaking to the interviewer off-camera. She gestures to the location on her head where she initially discovered her hair loss.]

VO Laura: I remember distinctly being in bed one morning, rolling over and just laying on my arm and my hand randomly felt a perfectly bare, smooth spot of skin.

1:22

[The woman is shown closeup as she looks into the mirror.]

VO Laura: I would be in the shower and clumps...

1:24

[The frame switches to the back of the woman’s head; her reflection in the mirror is blurred.]

VO Laura: ...of hair would be falling out. I had noticed a lot more hair than usual...

1:28

[The woman looks into the mirror.]

VO Laura: ...on my hairbrush, and I was scared. There was a lot of confusion.

1:34

[The woman holds a handheld mirror.]

VO Laura: There was blaming myself.

1:36

[The woman is shown closeup as she looks into the mirror.]

VO Laura: I didn't know what I did to cause this.

1:38

[The woman looks into the mirror, her reflection blurred.]

VO Laura: I had lost all my eyebrows. I had lost all my eyelashes. So, getting ready in the morning, not only would I have to, you know...

1:46

[Photos of the woman in a wig or bandana appear as a montage.]

VO Laura: ...put my bandana on or put my wig on if I was getting dressed up. I would have to find solutions to also look like I had eyebrows and eyelashes.

Caption: “Laura is wearing a wig, which does not depict hair growth while on Olumiant.”

1:58

[The woman does yoga.]

VO Laura: It was really time to come out of hiding, to share what was going on with me. And...

2:04

[The woman’s reflection is seen in a shop window as she walks into a yoga studio.]

VO Laura: ...despite the fact of embracing who I was, there really wasn't a day that went by that I didn't wish for my hair...

2:11

[The woman’s hands are shown closeup in a yoga pose.]

VO Laura: ...back. I tried...

2:14

[The woman does yoga.]

VO Laura: ...many different treatments. Nothing really gave me the result that I wanted.

2:23

[The woman walks by a shop window.]

VO Laura: Once I had seen that Olumiant had been FDA approved for the treatment of severe alopecia areata in adults...

Caption+ Graphic: Olumiant Logo, “Olumiant is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with severe alopecia areata. Please see the Indications and Safety Summary with Warnings on the website.”

2:31

[The woman sits in a chair, talking to an interviewer off-camera.]

VO Laura: ...I went to my dermatologist. I actually found out that I was going to be her first patient with alopecia areata that she would be treating with Olumiant. So, I was very excited that we could learn together, and we could see the possibilities of what Olumiant could do for me.

Graphic: Olumiant Logo

2:48

[Photos of the woman’s head while taking Olumiant appear as a montage.]

VO Laura: I obtained my prescription in August of 2022, and that's when I began my Olumiant journey.

Caption + Graphic: Olumiant Logo, “Photos taken August 2022”

2:55

[The woman sits in a chair, talking to an interviewer off-camera.]

VO Laura: I have been taking Olumiant for a while now.

Caption + Graphic: Olumiant Logo, “In clinical trials of adults with severe alopecia areata, some patients taking Olumiant saw 80% or greater scalp hair coverage at 36 weeks.* *Up to 22% of those taking Olumiant 2 mg daily, up to 35% of those taking Olumiant 4 mg daily, and up to 5% of those taking the inactive pill (placebo).”

2:58

[The woman walks into a workout space.]

VO Laura: And it's...

Caption + Graphic: Olumiant Logo, “In clinical trials of adults with severe alopecia areata, some patients taking Olumiant saw 80% or greater scalp hair coverage at 36 weeks.* *Up to 22% of those taking Olumiant 2 mg daily, up to 35% of those taking Olumiant 4 mg daily, and up to 5% of those taking the inactive pill (placebo).”

2:59

[The woman sets up her yoga mat to begin her practice.]

VO Laura: ...so...

Caption + Graphic: Olumiant Logo, “In clinical trials of adults with severe alopecia areata, some patients taking Olumiant saw 80% or greater scalp hair coverage at 36 weeks.* *Up to 22% of those taking Olumiant 2 mg daily, up to 35% of those taking Olumiant 4 mg daily, and up to 5% of those taking the inactive pill (placebo).”

3:00

[The woman does yoga.]

VO Laura: ...amazing to have hair again.

Caption + Graphic: Olumiant Logo, “In clinical trials of adults with severe alopecia areata, some patients taking Olumiant saw 80% or greater scalp hair coverage at 36 weeks.* *Up to 22% of those taking Olumiant 2 mg daily, up to 35% of those taking Olumiant 4 mg daily, and up to 5% of those taking the inactive pill (placebo).”

3:01

[The woman sits in a chair, talking to an interviewer off-camera.]

VO Laura: To run my fingers through...

Caption + Graphic: Olumiant Logo, “In clinical trials of adults with severe alopecia areata, some patients taking Olumiant saw 80% or greater scalp hair coverage at 36 weeks.* *Up to 22% of those taking Olumiant 2 mg daily, up to 35% of those taking Olumiant 4 mg daily, and up to 5% of those taking the inactive pill (placebo).”

3:03

[The woman touches her hair and watches her reflection as she walks by a window.]

VO Laura: ...it, to feel it flowing...

Caption + Graphic: Olumiant Logo, “In clinical trials of adults with severe alopecia areata, some patients taking Olumiant saw 80% or greater scalp hair coverage at 36 weeks.* *Up to 22% of those taking Olumiant 2 mg daily, up to 35% of those taking Olumiant 4 mg daily, and up to 5% of those taking the inactive pill (placebo).”

3:04

[The woman looks at the sun setting over the ocean.]

VO Laura: in the breeze.

Caption + Graphic: Olumiant Logo, “In clinical trials of adults with severe alopecia areata, some patients taking Olumiant saw 80% or greater scalp hair coverage at 36 weeks.* *Up to 22% of those taking Olumiant 2 mg daily, up to 35% of those taking Olumiant 4 mg daily, and up to 5% of those taking the inactive pill (placebo).”

3:06

[The woman sits in a chair, talking to an interviewer off-camera. She gestures to her hair.]

VO Laura: My routine is so easy now. I get out of the shower, I put a little bit of product in it, and I let it do its thing.

Caption + Graphic: Olumiant Logo, “In patients with substantial eyebrow and eyelash hair loss, some people taking Olumiant 4mg once daily saw improvement in eyebrow and eyelash coverage at 36 weeks.”

3:14

[The woman looks into the mirror and applies makeup.]

VO Laura: Maybe I'll brush on a little bit of mascara and a touch of eyeliner, and I'm ready to go in about 5 minutes.

Caption + Graphic: Olumiant Logo, “The recommended dosage is 2 mg once daily for most patients, but certain patients may be treated with 4 mg once daily. Your healthcare provider will determine the right dosage for you.”

3:20

[The woman is getting ready and going for a hike with her husband.]

VO: Don't start Olumiant if you have an infection as it can lower your...

Caption + Graphic: Olumiant Logo, “Before starting and while taking Olumiant, your doctor should check for tuberculosis (TB) and do blood tests.”

3:23

[The woman is on a hike with her husband; they take a selfie.]

VO: ...ability to fight infections, serious sometimes fatal infections blood clots, cancers such as lymphoma...

Caption + Graphic: Olumiant Logo, “Tell your doctor if you have had TB, hepatitis B or C, are prone to infections, or have been somewhere fungal infections are common.“

3:29

[The woman does yoga.]

VO: ...and skin cancer. Serious allergic reactions...

Caption + Graphic: Olumiant Logo, “Serious allergic reactions can include rash (hives), trouble breathing, feeling faint or dizzy, or swelling of lips, tongue, or throat.”

3:32

[The woman’s hand is shown closeup doing yoga. The frame shows the woman’s whole body doing yoga. The woman is on the beach and looks at the ocean.]

VO: ...tears in the stomach or intestines and changes in lab results have occurred. People 50 years and older with at least one heart disease

Caption + Graphic: Olumiant Logo, “Tell your doctor if you have had cancer, heart problems, stroke, or blood clots.”

3:39

[The woman looks at the sunset over the ocean.]

VO: ...risk factor, have a higher risk of death, heart attack, stroke and blood clots.

Caption + Graphic: Olumiant Logo, “Please see the Indications and Safety Summary with Warnings on the website.”

3:43

[The woman steps into a spotlight. She performs aerial.]

VO Laura: I know that when people are looking at me, they're not seeing the thing that makes me stand out and makes me so different. They're seeing who I truly feel like I am. For any other adults out there with severe alopecia areata, I know how frustrating and devastating this condition can be. It's worth talking to your doctor to see if treatment with Olumiant is right for you.

Caption + Graphic: Olumiant Logo, “Please see the Indications and Safety Summary with Warnings on the website.”

4:08

Caption + Graphic: Olumiant Logo, “Olumiant is a registered trademark of Eli Lilly and Company, its subsidiaries, or affiliates. PP-BA-US-2145 10/2023 Lilly USA, LLC 2023. All rights reserved.”

“Despite the fact of embracing who I was, there wasn't a day that went by that I didn't wish for my hair back.”

- Laura, actual patient with severe alopecia areata.

Select Safety Information

Olumiant may cause serious side effects, including:
Tears in the stomach or intestines. This happens most often in people who also take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, or methotrexate. While taking Olumiant, tell your doctor right away if you have fever and stomach-area pain that does not go away, and a change in bowel habits.

See results from Olumiant's clinical trial.

Learn More
laura in yoga pose

Does Laura’s Story sound like yours?

Ask your doctor to see if Olumiant might be right for you.

Spotlight on Laura’s Olumiant Experience

“Once Olumiant was FDA approved for the treatment of severe alopecia areata in adults, I sought out a referral from my primary doctor to see a dermatologist. I read all I could to understand the potential risks and benefits.

I actually found out that I was going to be her first patient with alopecia areata that she would be treating with Olumiant. So I was very excited that we could learn together, and we could see the possibilities of what Olumiant could do for me.”

- Laura, actual patient with severe alopecia areata.

Laura was compensated for her time. Individual results may vary.

Taking Olumiant? Inspire others.

Share your story

Select Safety Information

Olumiant may cause serious side effects, including:
Changes in laboratory test results. Your doctor should do blood tests before and while taking Olumiant. You should not take Olumiant if your white or red blood cell count is too low or your liver tests are too high. Your doctor may pause your treatment with Olumiant because of changes in these test results. Your doctor should also check your cholesterol levels approximately 12 weeks after you start Olumiant and as needed.

SAFETY SUMMARY WITH WARNINGS

 

WARNINGS - Olumiant may cause serious side effects, including:

  • Serious infections, including tuberculosis (TB), shingles, and others caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses. Some people have died from these infections. Olumiant can make you more likely to get infections or make any infections that you have worse. Your doctor should test for TB before starting Olumiant and watch for TB symptoms during treatment. You should not start Olumiant if you have any kind of infection unless your doctor tells you it is okay. While taking Olumiant, tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of an infection, such as:
    • fever, sweating, or chills
    • muscle aches
    • cough
    • shortness of breath
    • blood in phlegm
    • weight loss
    • warm, red, or painful skin or sores on your body
    • diarrhea or stomach pain
    • burning with urination or urinating more often than normal
    • feeling tired
    If you get a serious infection, your doctor may stop Olumiant until your infection is controlled.
  • Increased risk of death in people 50 years of age or older who have at least 1 heart disease risk factor and are taking a medicine in a class of medicines called JAK inhibitors.
  • Cancer and immune system problems. Olumiant may increase your risk of lymphoma and other cancers, including skin cancers. People taking a medicine in the class of medicines called JAK inhibitors have a higher risk of certain cancers, including lymphoma and lung cancer, especially if you are a current or past smoker. Follow your doctor’s advice about having your skin checked for skin cancer while taking Olumiant.
  • Increased risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke or death in people 50 years of age and older who have at least 1 heart disease risk factor and taking a medicine in the class of medicines called JAK inhibitors, especially if you are a current or past smoker. Get emergency help right away if you have any symptoms of a heart attack or stroke while taking Olumiant, including:
    • discomfort in the center of your chest that lasts for more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back
    • severe tightness, pain, pressure, or heaviness in your chest, throat, neck, or jaw
    • pain or discomfort in your arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach
    • shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
    • breaking out in a cold sweat
    • nausea or vomiting
    • feeling lightheaded
    • weakness in one part or on one side of your body
    • slurred speech
  • Blood clots in the veins of your legs or lungs, and arteries. This may be life-threatening and cause death. Blood clots in the veins of legs and lungs have happened more often in people who are 50 years of age or older and with at least 1 heart disease risk factor taking a medicine in the class of medicines called JAK inhibitors. Stop taking Olumiant and tell your doctor or get emergency help right away if you have any signs and symptoms of blood clots, including swelling, pain or tenderness in the leg, sudden chest pain, or shortness of breath, while taking Olumiant.
  • Allergic reactions. While taking Olumiant, if you have symptoms, such as rash (hives), trouble breathing, feeling faint or dizzy, or swelling of your lips, tongue, or throat, stop taking Olumiant and get emergency help right away. Some of these reactions seen in people taking Olumiant were serious.
  • Tears in the stomach or intestines. This happens most often in people who also take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, or methotrexate. While taking Olumiant, tell your doctor right away if you have fever and stomach-area pain that does not go away, and a change in bowel habits.
  • Changes in laboratory test results. Your doctor should do blood tests before and while taking Olumiant. You should not take Olumiant if your white or red blood cell count is too low or your liver tests are too high. Your doctor may pause your treatment with Olumiant because of changes in these test results. Your doctor should also check your cholesterol levels approximately 12 weeks after you start Olumiant and as needed.

Common side effects

The most common side effects of Olumiant in people treated for alopecia areata include:

  • upper respiratory tract infections (cold or sinus infections)
  • headache
  • acne
  • increased cholesterol levels
  • increased muscle enzyme levels
  • urinary tract infection
  • increased liver enzyme levels
  • inflammation of hair follicles (folliculitis)
  • tiredness
  • lower respiratory tract infections
  • nausea
  • genital yeast infection
  • low red blood cell count (anemia)
  • low white blood cell count (neutropenia)
  • stomach-area (abdominal) pain
  • shingles (herpes zoster)
  • increased weight

The most common side effects of Olumiant in people treated for rheumatoid arthritis include:

  • upper respiratory tract infections (cold or sinus infections)
  • nausea
  • herpes simplex virus infections, including cold sores
  • shingles (herpes zoster)

These are not all the possible side effects of Olumiant. Tell your doctor if you have any side effects. You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .

Before using

Before you use Olumiant, tell your doctor if you:

  • Are being treated for an infection, have an infection that won’t go away or keeps coming back, or think you have symptoms of an infection.
  • Have TB or have been in close contact with someone with TB.
  • Have had shingles (herpes zoster).
  • Have had hepatitis B or C, cancer, or blood clots in the veins of your legs or lungs.
  • Live, have lived, or have visited parts of the country that increase your risk of fungal infections. These may include the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys and the Southwest. Ask your doctor if you do not know if you have lived in an area where these infections are common.
  • Are a current or past smoker.
  • Have had a heart attack, other heart problems or stroke.
  • Have other medical conditions, including kidney or liver problems, low blood cell counts, diabetes, lung disease, HIV, or a weak immune system.
  • Have any stomach-area pain or have been diagnosed with inflammation in the large intestine (diverticulitis) or ulcers in your stomach or intestines.
  • Have recently received or plan to receive a vaccine. People taking Olumiant should not receive live vaccines.
  • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Olumiant may harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while taking Olumiant, call Eli Lilly and Company at 1-800-545-5979 to report the pregnancy.
  • Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. You should not breastfeed while taking Olumiant and for 4 days after the last dose. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby while taking Olumiant.
  • Are taking other medicines, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. It is especially important to tell your doctor, if you take:
    • a medicine called probenecid
    • medicines that affect your immune system, such biologic medications, other JAK inhibitors, or strong immunosuppressants (such as azathioprine or cyclosporine) since these may increase your risk of infection.
  • Are under age 18. It is not known if Olumiant is safe and effective in children.

How to take

  • Take Olumiant exactly as your doctor says.
  • Take Olumiant once a day by mouth with or without food.
  • Talk to your doctor if you cannot swallow tablets whole.
  • If you take too much Olumiant, call your doctor or poison control center at 1-800-222-1222, or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.

Learn more

Olumiant is a prescription medicine. For more information, call 1-800-545-5979.

This summary provides basic information about Olumiant but does not include all information known about this medicine. Read the information that comes with your prescription each time your prescription is filled. This information does not take the place of talking with your doctor. Be sure to talk to your doctor or other healthcare provider about Olumiant and how to take it. Your doctor is the best person to help you decide if Olumiant is right for you.

BA CON BS 14SEP2022

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning, and Medication Guide.

INDICATIONS

Olumiant® (O-loo-me¯-ant) is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor used to treat:

  • adults with severe alopecia areata.
  • adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis after treatment with 1 or more medicines called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers have been used, and did not work well enough or could not be tolerated.
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