Why is it not recommended for patients to take baricitinib/alemin at will?

Baricitinib(Baricitinib)as aJAK (Janus kinase) inhibitor, is mainly used to treat moderate to severerheumatoid arthritis and other diseases. By targeting the JAK enzyme, it inhibits signal transmission in the immune system, thereby alleviating the immune system's overreaction, reducing inflammation, and improving joint function. However, although baricitinib has brought significant therapeutic effects to patients with rheumatoid arthritis, patients must be very careful when taking it and avoid taking it randomly due to its effect on the immune system. Here are a few reasons why patients should not take baricitinib without permission.

The immunosuppressive effect of baricitinib makes its impact on the immune system very significant. JAK inhibitors help relieve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis by inhibiting certain signaling pathways in the immune system, but they may also inhibit the body's ability to fight infection. Therefore, it is not recommended to use it in combination with other immunosuppressants, such as azathioprine, cyclosporine, etc. These drugs themselves reduce immune function. If used in combination with baricitinib, they may cause excessive suppression of the immune system, increase the risk of infection, and even lead to serious infectious events such as pneumonia and tuberculosis.

Baricitinib should not be used in combination with otherJAK inhibitors because these drugs have similar mechanisms of action and combined use may lead to excessive inhibition of JAK enzyme activity, thereby increasing the risk of side effects, including hematological abnormalities, liver function damage, and the risk of malignant tumors. For patients receiving immunotherapy, combination therapy requires caution and must be conducted under the strict guidance of a physician.

In addition, baricitinib may cause side effects, including blood clots, liver damage, and digestive problems, requiring patients to undergo regular health monitoring. If patients take it casually without systematic examination and professional guidance from doctors, they may miss these potential adverse reactions, leading to an increased risk of worsening of the condition or occurrence of side effects.

Reference materials:https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB11817