Baricitinib is used to treat people who are in hospital with severe COVID-19 infection and who meet certain criteria for its use. Baricitinib is used to reduce inflammation in your lungs. It can also reduce the effects of an over-activated immune system that can occur in some people. It may reduce the severity of your symptoms, help you get better sooner and reduce your risk of dying.
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Baricitinib
Sounds like ‘BAR-i-SYE-ti-nib’
Key points about baricitinib
- Baricitinib is used to treat people who are in hospital with COVID-19.
- Baricitinib is also called Olumiant.
- Find out how to take it safely and possible side effects.
Baricitinib is available as tablets (2 mg and 4 mg).
- The usual dose is 1 tablet (4 mg) ONCE DAILY for up to 14 days. Some people may need lower doses.
- Your doctor will decide what dose is right for you and how long you should take it for.
- You can take baricitinib with or without food.
- Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water.
- If you have trouble swallowing tablets, they can be dissolved in some water so it’s easier to take.
Here are some things to know when you're taking baricitinib. Other things may be important as well, so ask your healthcare provider what you should know about.
- Females of child bearing age: If you could become pregnant, you should use effective contraception while being treated with baricitinib and for at least a week after stopping the treatment.
- Pregnancy: If you think you are pregnant or are planning a pregnancy, tell your doctor. At present, we know very little about the effects of baricitinib in pregnancy.
- Other medicines: Use of live vaccines should be avoided immediately before and during treatment with baricitinib. Baricitinib may interact with some medications, herbal supplements and rongoā Māori, so check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting baclofen and before starting any new products.
Baricitinib can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.
Common side effects
These are usually mild and go away with time. Tell your doctor if these side effects cause you problems or don’t go away:
- feeling sick (nausea)
- headache.
- cold sores
- tummy/puku pain.
Rare, serious side effects
Your doctor will watch for these side effects by doing blood tests and monitoring:
- infections, eg, in your sinuses or throat
- problems with your liver
- signs of an allergic reaction.
Read more about medicines and side effects and reporting a reaction you think might be a side effect.
References
- Use of baricitinib in hospitalised adults with COVID-19(external link) NSW Therapeutic Advisory Group Inc., Australia, 2021
- Clinical management of COVID-19 in hospitalised adults - including in pregnancy(external link) Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, 2023
- Pharmac to fund baricitinib to treat moderate to severe cases of COVID-19(external link) Pharmac, NZ, 2021
Brochures
Medicines and side effects
Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ, 2024
Health Quality and Safety Commission, NZ, 2019 English, te reo Māori
Credits: Sandra Ponen, Pharmacist, Healthify He Puna Waiora. Healthify is brought to you by Health Navigator Charitable Trust.
Reviewed by: Eamon Duffy, Pharmacist, ADHB, Auckland
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