11/05/2023
⚠️New safety warning for medicines used in arthritis and other inflammatory conditions⚠️
The 3 Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitors available in Australia for chronic inflammatory conditions are baricitinib (Olumiant), tofacitinib (Xeljanz and Xeljanz XR) and upadacitinib (Rinvoq).
Groups of people at higher risk of serious side effects are:
• those aged 65 years or above
• those at increased risk of major cardiovascular problems (such as heart attack or stroke)
• those who smoke or have done so for a long time in the past
• those at increased risk of cancer.
If you belong to one of these higher risk groups, you should only be prescribed these medicines if there are no suitable treatment alternatives.
If you have any of the risk factors and you take a JAK inhibitor, discuss your current treatment with your prescribing doctor. They may change you to a different treatment depending on your inflammatory disorder.
Do not stop the treatment without discussing it with your doctor.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms while you are taking a JAK inhibitor:
❗️chest pain or tightness (which may spread to arms, jaw, neck and back)
❗️shortness of breath
❗️cold sweats
❗️light headedness or sudden dizziness
❗️weakness in arms and legs
❗️slurred speech.
Examine your skin regularly and let your doctor know if you notice any new growths on the skin.
If you have any questions or concerns about your treatment, speak to your doctor.
Read more: https://www.tga.gov.au/news/safety-alerts/new-safety-warning-medicines-used-arthritis-and-other-inflammatory-conditions
⚠️New safety warning for medicines used in arthritis and other inflammatory conditions⚠️
The 3 Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitors available in Australia for chronic inflammatory conditions are baricitinib (Olumiant), tofacitinib (Xeljanz and Xeljanz XR) and upadacitinib (Rinvoq).
Groups of people at higher risk of serious side effects are:
• those aged 65 years or above
• those at increased risk of major cardiovascular problems (such as heart attack or stroke)
• those who smoke or have done so for a long time in the past
• those at increased risk of cancer.
If you belong to one of these higher risk groups, you should only be prescribed these medicines if there are no suitable treatment alternatives.
If you have any of the risk factors and you take a JAK inhibitor, discuss your current treatment with your prescribing doctor. They may change you to a different treatment depending on your inflammatory disorder.
Do not stop the treatment without discussing it with your doctor.
Read more: https://www.tga.gov.au/news/safety-alerts/new-safety-warning-medicines-used-arthritis-and-other-inflammatory-conditions