Baricitinib
Drug Name(s): Olumiant
Class: DMARDs
Type: Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitors
Used to treat moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) after one or more tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers) have not worked well enough or could not be tolerated.
Dosage
Form(s): tablet
2 mg once a day
Special Instructions
May be taken with or without food.
Don’t take with biologics or other JAK inhibitors. Taking with potent immunosuppressive drugs such as azathioprine and cyclosporine is not recommended; may be used as monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate or other non-biologic DMARDs.
Potential Side Effects
The most common potential side effects are upper respiratory tract infections; nausea; viral reactivation, including herpes simplex and herpes zoster (shingles).
Be Aware
Based on a safety trial of the JAK inhibitor tofacitinib (Xeljanz), the FDA has determined baracitinib and other JAK inhibitors have an increased risk of serious cardiovascular-related events, including heart attack and stroke; cancer, including lymphoma and lung cancer; thrombosis and death.
Baricitinib suppresses the immune system and may increase the risk of infections, including tuberculosis, fungal and bacterial infections. Your doctor will test you for tuberculosis (TB) before starting this drug. Tell your doctor if you have a history of TB.
Live vaccines should not be given with baricitinib.
Your doctor should order periodic blood and urine tests to check for unwanted effects. Tell your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant.
