Olumiant (generic name: baricitinib) is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor prescribed to treat adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have not responded well enough to or could not tolerate treatment with a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonist.

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are a first-line treatment that helps prevent joint damage, and this is usually tried first for patients with RA. For patients who either cannot tolerate the side effects of DMARDs or who did not see sufficient improvement from this form of treatment, JAK inhibitors are a new form of DMARD that can be prescribed since they block inflammatory actions from even starting.

There are currently no cures for rheumatoid arthritis. The primary aim, for now, is to reduce the pain and swelling and to slow down the progress. JAK inhibitors are the best current treatment for achieving this.

In the US, doctors may prescribe Olumiant to treat alopecia areata off-label. The FDA hasn’t approved Olumiant for off-label use in the treatment of alopecia, but it is already widely prescribed and approved in other countries.

Dosage

Olumiant is an oral medication. It must be taken strictly according to the prescription.

The tablets come with the manufacturer’s Patient Information sheet. It is essential to read the guide before beginning treatment with baricitinib. Ask a doctor or pharmacist if there are any questions.

Olumiant is a tablet to be swallowed once daily, with or without food. It is recommended to take Olumiant at approximately the same time each day. If a scheduled dose is missed, it should be taken as soon as possible, but only if there are at least twelve hours before the next scheduled dose. In the latter case, the dose must be skipped. Do not double dose to make up for a missed one.

If it is difficult to swallow the tablet, it can be dissolved in roughly two teaspoonfuls (10 ml) of clean water. After swallowing the mixture, add another 10 ml of water to the glass and swallow.