Is baricitinib safe for long-term use in rheumatoid arthritis?

Baricitinib, as a Janus kinase inhibitor, reduces the overactivity of the immune system by inhibiting JAK1 and JAK2, thereby reducing inflammation and pain. This has clinically significant efficacy in patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis, improving symptoms and slowing disease progression. However, this does not mean that long-term use of baricitinib is completely safe.

Long-term use of baricitinib may cause a series of side effects. Common side effects include upper respiratory tract infection, nausea, headache, and dyslipidemia. More serious risks include liver function abnormalities, thrombosis, and serious infections. These side effects cannot be ignored and require close monitoring and management under the guidance of a physician.

Baricitinib is metabolized by the liver, and long-term use may increase the burden on the liver, leading to increased liver enzyme levels and even liver cell damage. Therefore, liver function needs to be monitored regularly during medication. If abnormalities are found, the medication should be discontinued and medical treatment should be sought promptly. In addition, baricitinib also has immunomodulatory effects and may suppress the body's immune response, thereby increasing the risk of infection. Therefore, during treatment with baricitinib, any signs of infection should be closely monitored and appropriate anti-infective measures should be taken promptly.

There is research suggesting baricitinib may be associated with an increased risk of certain types of cancer, especially with long-term use. Although the exact mechanism is not fully understood, this finding suggests the need for caution when using baricitinib and regular cancer screening.

References:

https://www.drugs.com/baricitinib.html#faq