৳ 30/unit
Pack: ৳ 300
৳ 30/unit
Pack: ৳ 300
At a glance
Baricitinib is a Janus kinase inhibitor used to treat moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. It helps decrease pain, tenderness and swelling in the joints by reducing inflammation and also helps slow the progression of bone and joint damage.
Indications
- Moderate to severely active rheumatoid arthritis in adult patients who have had an inadequate response to one or more TNF antagonist therapies
Pharmacology
Baricitinib is a selective and reversible inhibitor of Janus kinase JAK1 and JAK2. Janus kinases (JAKs) are enzymes that transduce intracellular signals from cell surface receptors for a number of cytokines and growth factors involved in haematopoiesis, inflammation and immune function. Within the intracellular signalling pathway, JAKs phosphorylate and activate signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs), which activate gene expression within the cell. Baricitinib modulates these signaling pathways by partially inhibiting JAK1 and JAK2 enzymatic activity, thereby reducing the phosphorylation and activation of STATs.
Dosage
Recommended dose: 2 mg once daily, orally.
Administration: May be taken with or without food. Can be used alone or in combination with methotrexate or other DMARDs.
Renal impairment: Not recommended if eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m².
Hepatic impairment: No dose adjustment needed in mild to moderate hepatic impairment.
Elderly: Caution in dose selection due to increased likelihood of decreased renal function.
Side effects
- Upper respiratory tract infections (14.7%)
- Nausea (2.8%)
- Increased LDL cholesterol (33.6%)
- Viral infections
- Cold sores
Serious (rare): Serious infections, tuberculosis (TB), thrombosis, gastrointestinal perforation, malignancy
Use in pregnancy
[CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR] Baricitinib is unsafe during pregnancy (Category D). There is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. Animal studies have shown harmful effects on the fetus.
Pregnancy Category: D — always consult a doctor before taking during pregnancy.
Precautions & warnings
- Avoid use in active serious infections
- Perform TB skin test and chest X-ray before starting
- Inform doctor if symptoms of infection (fever, chills, cough, muscle aches) occur
- Caution in patients at risk of thrombosis
- Caution in patients at risk of gastrointestinal perforation
- Do not initiate/interrupt if hemoglobin <8 g/dL
- Do not initiate/interrupt if Absolute Lymphocyte Count <500 cells/mm³
- Do not initiate/interrupt if Absolute Neutrophil Count <1000 cells/mm³
Overdose effects
In case of overdose, monitor the patient for signs and symptoms of adverse reactions. Patients who develop adverse reactions should receive appropriate treatment.
Storage conditions
Store at or below 30°C. Keep away from light and moisture. Keep out of reach of children.