A Janus kinase inhibitor, a type of drug that blocks the activity of one or more of a family of enzymes interfering with the pathway that leads to inflammation.
It is a JAK1 and a JAK2 inhibitor and it is used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, alopecia areata, and severe coronavirus disease.
In patients with type 1 diabetes of recent onset, daily treatment with baricitinib over 48 weeks preserved beta cell function as estimated by the mixed meal stimulated main C-peptide level.
The drug is approved as an oral treatment for severe alopecia areata.
Tradename is Olumiant.
Reponse rate 36 to 39% in alopecia areata, with the higher the dosage giving a higher response rate.
Adverse effects include: upper respiratory infections, headache, acne, hyperlipidemia, nasopharyngitis, and herpes zoster.
Patients should be monitored for signs and symptoms of infection and should be evaluated for active or latent tuberculosis before beginning treatment.
Carries a boxed warning for serious infections, mortality, malignancy, major adverse cardiovascular events, and thrombosis.
Approved for Covid – 19 in hospitalized severely ill adults and for moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis.