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Baricitinib

Information about Baricitinib

Baricitinib Uses

Baricitinib is used in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

How Baricitinib works

Baricitinib is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor that inhibits the activity of selective JAK1 and JAK2 enzymes, which interfere with the JAK-STAT signaling pathway (a chain of protein-cell interactions, involved in processes such as immunity, cell division, cell death, and tumor formation).

Common side effects of Baricitinib

Upper respiratory tract infection, Nasopharyngitis (inflammation of the throat and nasal passages), Urinary tract infection, Bronchitis (inflammation of the airways), Headache

CONTENT DETAILS

Written By

Dr. Radhika Dua

MDS, BDS

Reviewed By

Dr. Shilpa Garcha

MD (Pharmacology), MBBS

Last updated

13 Jun 2023 | 11:26 AM (UTC)

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Available Medicine for Baricitinib

BarinatNatco Pharma Ltd

₹210 to ₹4192 variant(s)

BarijakCipla Ltd

₹5741 variant(s)

BaricaxDr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd

₹285 to ₹4252 variant(s)

OlumiantEli Lilly and Company India Pvt Ltd

₹21144 to ₹634322 variant(s)

BarilupLupin Ltd

₹308 to ₹4612 variant(s)

BarikindMankind Pharma Ltd

₹4202 variant(s)

Expert advice for Baricitinib

Baricitinib is used alone or in combination with methotrexate for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis that did not improve with other anti-rheumatic drugs.
It may take 3 to 6 months to feel the maximum effect of this medication. Keep taking it as prescribed.
Your doctor may get regular blood tests done to monitor your liver function, kidney function, blood counts or cholesterol level.
Baricitinib can make it a bit harder for people to fight off infections. Inform your doctor if you have symptoms of an infection such as fever, chills, cough, and muscle aches.
Your doctor may get TB (tuberculosis) skin test and a chest X-ray before starting treatment with this medication.
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to conceive, or breastfeeding.

Frequently asked questions for Baricitinib

Baricitinib

Q. Can I take Baricitinib if I have liver problems?

Inform your doctor if you have liver problems, before starting Baricitinib. This is done because in some cases Baricitinib may cause an increase in liver enzymes. Therefore, your liver function needs to be investigated before starting Baricitinib. Although, Baricitinib can be given to patients with mild to moderate liver function impairment, but should not be prescribed to patients with severe liver impairment.

Q. Can Baricitinib cause cancer?

Baricitinib may increase the chances of developing the risk of certain cancers (lymphoma and other cancers including skin cancers) by affecting the working of the immune system. Hence, inform your doctor if you ever had or have any type of cancer.

Q. Do I need to get any investigations done before starting Baricitinib?

You may need to get your blood tests done before you start Baricitinib or while you are taking it. Blood tests are done in order to check if you have a low red blood cell count (anemia), low white blood cell count (neutropenia or lymphopenia), high blood fat (cholesterol) or high levels of liver enzymes. It also helps to ensure that treatment with Baricitinib is not causing problems. In addition to this, your doctor may advise you to get tested for tuberculosis before starting Baricitinib, as using Baricitinib may make an existing infection worse.