Upadacitinib
Drug Name(s): Rinvoq
Class: DMARDs
Type: Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitors
Used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), and pediatric psoriatic arthritis (PsA).
Dosage
Form(s): tablet
For RA, AS, nr-axSpA, PsA: 15 mg once daily
Polyarticular JIA and PsA: Dosage is based on body weight
Special Instructions
Swallow whole. Do not cut, chew, crush, divide or dissolve.
Blood tests are required before and during treatment.
Patients should be tested and treated for tuberculosis before and during use of this drug.
Potential Side Effects
The most common side effects are upper respiratory tract infections, nausea and cough.
Be Aware
Based on a safety trial of the JAK inhibitor tofacitinib (Xeljanz), the FDA has determined upadacitinib 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.
This drug is associated with an increased risk of serious viral, invasive fungal and bacterial infections and herpes zoster (shingles).
Do not use if pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding.
Do not get live, attenuated vaccines while on this medication.
