Baricitinib
About Baricitinib
Baricitinib is an oral prescription medication used to reduce pain, swelling, and joint damage in adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. It is also prescribed to treat severe hair loss caused by alopecia areata and to manage moderate to severe eczema when other treatments have not worked. This medicine helps calm an overactive immune system to relieve these chronic inflammatory conditions.
You should take Baricitinib once daily, and it is highly beneficial to take it at the same time every day to keep a consistent amount of medicine in your body. You can take this tablet with or without food. Along with taking this medicine, incorporating regular low-impact exercises, maintaining a balanced diet, and managing stress can significantly improve your treatment outcomes.
While taking Baricitinib, some people may experience mild side effects like cold symptoms, nausea, or shingles. However, if you experience serious side effects such as signs of a severe infection, sudden shortness of breath, or chest pain, you must contact your doctor immediately.
Before starting Baricitinib, tell your doctor if you have a history of tuberculosis, chronic infections, liver damage, kidney disease, or blood clots. Do not take this if you currently have an active, serious infection, as this medication can lower your body's ability to fight off germs.
This medicine can interact with certain vaccinations and medications that suppress the immune system, which may increase your risk of infections. It is also important to talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or if you are an older adult, as special precautions may be needed.
Uses of Baricitinib
Medicinal Benefits
Baricitinib helps reduce inflammation and improve symptoms in certain autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. The following are the benefits of this medication:
- Helps relieve joint pain, swelling, and morning stiffness in people with rheumatoid arthritis, making everyday activities easier.
- Improves joint movement and physical function, allowing greater comfort during daily tasks.
- Helps clear skin plaques and reduces itching in people with severe inflammatory skin conditions.
- Promotes hair regrowth in people with certain types of hair loss, helping improve appearance and confidence.
Directions for Use
- Baricitinib can be taken with or without food, or as a doctor advises.
- Generally, it is recommended to be taken once daily. However, follow your doctor's instructions regarding dosage and timing for optimal results.
- Swallow Baricitinib as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Baricitinib
Common Side Effects (Usually mild)
- Cold symptoms, such as a runny or stuffy nose and sore throat
- Nausea or mild stomach upset
- Shingles or cold sore outbreaks
- Increased cholesterol levels
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away)
- Signs of infection, such as fever, chills, persistent cough, or burning when urinating
- Signs of a blood clot, such as sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, or swelling, warmth, and redness in one leg
- Severe stomach pain, especially if accompanied by fever, nausea, or vomiting
- Allergic reactions, including hives, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, and difficulty breathing
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Get tested for TB: Your doctor must test you for tuberculosis (TB) before you start taking Baricitinib, as this medicine can reactivate inactive TB infections.
- Avoid live vaccines: Do not receive any live vaccines while taking this medicine, as your weakened immune system may not react safely to them.
- Watch for infection signs: Stop taking the medicine and contact your doctor immediately if you develop a fever, chills, or any other signs of an active infection.
- Monitor laboratory tests: Keep all appointments for scheduled blood tests so your doctor can monitor your liver enzymes, cholesterol, and blood cell counts.
- Report unusual pain: Alert your healthcare provider immediately if you experience sudden leg swelling, chest pain, or shortness of breath.
Drug Interactions
- Other immunosuppressants (e.g., adalimumab, abatacept, tofacitinib): Taking Baricitinib with biological medicines or other JAK inhibitors is not recommended, as it can severely weaken your immune system and increase the risk of infections.
- Medicines used to treat gout (e.g., probenecid): Combining Baricitinib with probenecid can increase the levels of Baricitinib in your blood, raising the risk of side effects. Your doctor may need to adjust your dose.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is not recommended to use alcohol with Baricitinib. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
Pregnancy
unsafeBaricitinib is absolutely contraindicated during pregnancy.
Breast Feeding
cautionNot enough studies exist to ascertain the effect of Baricitinib on nursing. Baricitinib is not recommended to use without contraception during and for at least 1 week after treatment. Please consult your doctor in case of any concerns.
Driving
safe if prescribedBaricitinib does not affect your ability to drive.
Liver
cautionExercise caution before using Baricitinib in case of established liver disease as it may cause a derangement of liver enzymes. Please consult your doctor to address any concerns.
Kidney
cautionExercise caution before using Baricitinib in case of established kidney disease. Please consult your doctor to address any concerns.
Children
cautionNot enough studies exist to ascertain the effect of Baricitinib in children. Please consult your doctor in case of any concerns.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Protect against infections: Since this medicine can lower your immune system's strength, wash your hands frequently, avoid close contact with people who are sick, and practice safe food hygiene.
- Support your joints: If taking this for arthritis, engage in regular, low-impact exercises such as swimming or cycling to keep your joints flexible without putting excess stress on them.
- Hydrate your skin: If treating eczema, apply a gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser immediately after bathing to lock in moisture and protect your skin barrier.
- Monitor your diet: Eat a heart-healthy diet low in saturated fats to help manage your cholesterol levels, which can sometimes rise while taking this medicine.
Special Advise
Discuss contraception with your doctor while taking Baricitinib.
Use Baricitinib with caution in the elderly as they’re more prone to infections.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Rheumatoid Arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune inflammatory disorder of the joints. It is a chronic disease. Autoimmunity is when the body recognises its own cells as foreign and tends to attack them. Rheumatoid arthritis is often seen in conjunction with other autoimmune diseases such as hypothyroidism, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), vitiligo, lupus etc. Symptoms include stiffness, swelling and weakness at the joints, lumps and redness on the skin, compromised movements, bone erosion and joint deformity.
Atopic Dermatitis: Atopic dermatitis is a skin condition that makes the skin red, inflamed and itchy. It usually manifests as a rash behind the knees, and on the arms. It is commonly known as eczema.
Coronavirus Disease: Coronavirus disease is an infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It can range from a mild cold, cough and fever to full-blown pneumonia. Drop-in oxygen saturations and breathlessness were also common symptoms noted. The new variant omicron however is supposed to cause only a mild disease characterised by a scratchy throat and fatigue only.
FAQs
Baricitinib belongs to the group of immunomodulators. It is used in the treatment of hospitalised cases of coronavirus disease, an infection caused by COVID-19 and is also used to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Baricitinib works by preventing the virus from attaching to the body’s cell receptors and thereby blocking its entry and spread.
Advanced age, obesity, chronic kidney disease, lung disease, sickle cell disease, neurodevelopmental disorders (for example cerebral palsy) and diseases of metabolism are some risk factors for disease progression.
If you have liver problems, you should consult a healthcare practitioner before using Baricitinib. Baricitinib may impair liver function, so your doctor will need to analyze your specific circumstances to determine whether the benefits exceed risk.
While Baricitinib has not been directly related to cancer, you should discuss any potential concerns with your doctor. They can give you with information based on the most recent research and your individual health needs.
Before starting Baricitinib, your doctor may recommend certain investigations to assess your overall health and to monitor for any potential side effects. These may include blood tests, liver function tests, and other assessments as needed.
No, Baricitinib is generally not recommended during pregnancy as it may cause harm to an unborn baby. If you are planning a pregnancy or discover you are pregnant while taking this medicine, talk to your doctor immediately.
Yes, your doctor will order routine blood tests to check your liver enzymes, cholesterol levels, and blood cell counts to ensure the medicine is safe for you to continue. Talk to your doctor about how often you need these tests.
While there is no direct food or alcohol interaction with Baricitinib, both alcohol and this medication can affect your liver. To protect your liver, it is best to limit alcohol consumption. Talk to your doctor.
Yes, because Baricitinib lowers your body's ability to fight off infections, you may need to temporarily pause taking it if you develop a fever or a serious infection. Talk to your doctor before stopping or restarting your medication.
You can receive non-live vaccines (like the seasonal flu shot), but you must avoid live vaccines (such as the shingles or yellow fever vaccines) while using Baricitinib, as they could cause a serious infection. Talk to your doctor before scheduling any vaccines.
No, Baricitinib is actually prescribed to treat severe hair loss caused by alopecia areata. It does not cause hair loss. Talk to your doctor if you notice any unusual changes in your hair.
No, you should swallow the tablets whole with water. Crushing, chewing, or splitting the tablet can alter how the medicine is absorbed into your bloodstream. Talk to your doctor if you have difficulty swallowing tablets.
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