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Meds & supplements  ›  Baricitinib

Medicine · Janus Kinase Inhibitor

Baricitinib

OLUMIANT ® is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor

Medication guideLabel updated 2026-06-30

Selected manufacturer label information, organised into consistent sections by Sofidex. Read the full label at DailyMed ↗

Boxed warning

WARNING: SERIOUS INFECTIONS, MORTALITY, MALIGNANCY, MAJOR ADVERSE CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS (MACE), and THROMBOSIS WARNING: SERIOUS INFECTIONS, MORTALITY, MALIGNANCY, MAJOR ADVERSE CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS (MACE), and THROMBOSIS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Increased risk of serious bacterial, fungal, viral and opportunistic infections leading to hospitalization or death, including tuberculosis (TB). Interrupt treatment with OLUMIANT if serious infection occurs until the infection is controlled. OLUMIANT should not be given to patients with active tuberculosis. Test for latent TB before and during therapy, except for COVID-19; treat latent TB prior to use. Monitor all patients for active TB during treatment, even patients with initial negative, latent TB test. Higher rate of all-cause mortality, including sudden cardiovascular death with another Janus kinase inhibitor (JAK) vs. TNF blockers in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Malignancies have occurred in patients treated with OLUMIANT. Higher rate of lymphomas and lung cancers with another JAK inhibitor vs. TNF blockers in RA patients. Higher rate of MACE (defined as cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and stroke) with another JAK inhibitor vs. TNF blockers in RA patients. Thrombosis has occurred in patients treated with OLUMIANT. Increased incidence of pulmonary embolism, venous and arterial thrombosis with another JAK inhibitor vs. TNF blockers. SERIOUS INFECTIONS Patients treated with OLUMIANT are at risk for developing serious infections that may lead to hospitalization or death. Most patients with rheumatoid arthritis who developed these infections were taking concomitant immunosuppressants such as methotrexate or corticosteroids. If a serious infection develops, interrupt OLUMIANT until the infection is controlled. Reported infections include: Active tuberculosis, which may present with pulmonary or extrapulmonary disease. Patients, except those with COVID-19, should be tested for latent tuberculosis before initiating OLUMIANT and during therapy. If positive, start treatment for latent infection prior to OLUMIANT use. Invasive fungal infections, including candidiasis and pneumocystosis. Patients with invasive fungal infections may present with disseminated, rather than localized, disease. Bacterial, viral, and other infections due to opportunistic pathogens. The risks and benefits of treatment with OLUMIANT should be carefully considered prior to initiating therapy in patients with chronic or recurrent infection. Patients should be closely monitored for the development of signs and symptoms of infection during and after treatment with OLUMIANT including the possible development of tuberculosis in patients who tested negative for latent tuberculosis infection prior to initiating th

Drug facts

Used for
  • the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis who have had an inadequate response to one or more TNF blockers. Limitations of Use: Not recommended for use
  • in combination with other JAK inhibitors, biologic DMARDs, or with potent immunosuppressants such as azathioprine and cyclosporine. the treatment of COVID-19 in hospitalized adults requiring supplemental oxygen, non-invasive or invasive mechanical ventilation, or ECMO. the treatment of adult patients with severe alopecia areata. Limitations of Use: Not recommended for use
  • in combination with other JAK inhibitors, biologic immunomodulators, cyclosporine or other potent immunosuppressants. Rheumatoid Arthritis OLUMIANT ® (baricitinib) is indicated
How to take it
Take OLUMIANT exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it.

What it is used for

OLUMIANT ® is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor indicated for: the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis who have had an inadequate response to one or more TNF blockers. Limitations of Use: Not recommended for use in combination with other JAK inhibitors, biologic DMARDs, or with potent immunosuppressants such as azathioprine and cyclosporine.

the treatment of COVID-19 in hospitalized adults requiring supplemental oxygen, non-invasive or invasive mechanical ventilation, or ECMO. the treatment of adult patients with severe alopecia areata. Limitations of Use: Not recommended for use in combination with other JAK inhibitors, biologic immunomodulators, cyclosporine or other potent immunosuppressants.

Rheumatoid Arthritis OLUMIANT ® (baricitinib) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis who have had an inadequate response to one or more tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers. Limitations of Use: Not recommended for use in combination with other JAK inhibitors, biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), or with potent immunosuppressants such as azathioprine and cyclosporine.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) OLUMIANT is indicated for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in hospitalized adults requiring supplemental oxygen, non-invasive or invasive mechanical ventilation, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Alopecia Areata OLUMIANT is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with severe alopecia areata.

Limitations of Use: Not recommended for use in combination with other JAK inhibitors, biologic immunomodulators, cyclosporine or other potent immunosuppressants.

The most important thing to know

OLUMIANT may cause serious side effects, including: 1. Serious infections. OLUMIANT is a medicine that affects your immune system. OLUMIANT can lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections. Some people have had serious infections while taking OLUMIANT, including tuberculosis (TB), and infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses that can spread throughout the body.

Some people have died from these infections. Your healthcare provider should test you for TB before starting treatment with OLUMIANT for rheumatoid arthritis or alopecia areata. Your healthcare provider should watch you closely for signs and symptoms of TB during treatment with OLUMIANT. You should not start taking OLUMIANT if you have any kind of infection unless your healthcare provider tells you it is okay.

You may be at a higher risk of developing shingles. Before starting OLUMIANT, tell your healthcare provider if you: are being treated for an infection have an infection that does not go away or that keeps coming back have diabetes, chronic lung disease, HIV, or a weak immune system. People with these conditions have a higher chance for infections have TB or have been in close contact with someone with TB have had shingles (herpes zoster) have had hepatitis B or C live or have lived, or have traveled to certain parts of the country (such as the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys and the Southwest) where there is an increased chance for getting certain kinds of fungal infections.

These infections may happen or become more severe if you use OLUMIANT. Ask your healthcare provider if you do not know if you have lived in an area where these infections are common. think you have an infection or have symptoms of an infection such as: fever, sweating, or chills shortness of breath warm, red, or painful skin or sores on your body feeling tired muscle aches blood in your phlegm diarrhea or stomach pain cough weight loss burning when you urinate or urinating more often than normal After starting OLUMIANT, call your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms of an infection.

OLUMIANT can make you more likely to get infections or, make worse any infection that you have. If you get a serious infection, your healthcare provider may stop your treatment with OLUMIANT until your infection is controlled. 2. Increased risk of death in people 50 years of age and older who have at least 1 heart disease (cardiovascular) risk factor and are taking a medicine in the class of medicines called Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors.

OLUMIANT is a JAK inhibitor medicine. 3. Cancer and immune system problems. OLUMIANT may increase your risk of certain cancers by changing the way your immune system works. Lymphoma and other cancers including skin cancers can happen in people taking OLUMIANT. People taking a medicine in the class of medicines called Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors have a higher risk of certain cancers including lymphoma and lung cancer, especially if you are a current or past smoker.

Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had any type of cancer. Follow your healthcare provider's advice about having your skin checked for skin cancer during treatment with OLUMIANT. 4. Increased risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke or death in people 50 years of age and older who have at least 1 heart disease (cardiovascular) risk factor and taking a medicine in the class of medicines called JAK inhibitors, especially if you are a current or past smoker.

Get emergency help right away if you have any symptoms of a heart attack or stroke while taking OLUMIANT, including: discomfort in the center of your chest that lasts for more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back severe tightness, pain, pressure, or heaviness in your chest, throat, neck, or jaw pain or discomfort in your arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort breaking out in a cold sweat nausea or vomiting feeling lightheaded

How to take it

Take OLUMIANT exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it. For people with rheumatoid arthritis or alopecia areata, take OLUMIANT 1 time a day by mouth with or without food. For people with COVID-19, OLUMIANT will be given to you 1 time a day by mouth with or without food, for up to 14 days or until you are discharged from the hospital (whichever comes first), as instructed by your healthcare provider.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you cannot swallow tablets whole. If you take too much OLUMIANT, call your healthcare provider or poison control center at 1-800-222-1222, or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away. What are the possible side effects of OLUMIANT? OLUMIANT may cause serious side effects including: The most common side effects of OLUMIANT in people treated for rheumatoid arthritis include: upper respiratory tract infections (common cold, sinus infections) nausea herpes simplex virus infections, including cold sores shingles (herpes zoster) The most common side effects of OLUMIANT in people treated for COVID-19 include: increased liver enzyme levels increased platelets in your blood (thrombocytosis) increased blood creatine phosphokinase low white blood cell count (neutropenia) blood clots in the veins of your legs (DVT) blood clot in your lungs (pulmonary embolism) urinary tract infection The most common side effects of OLUMIANT in people treated for alopecia areata include: upper respiratory tract infections (common cold, sinus infections) headache acne increased blood cholesterol increased blood creatine phosphokinase urinary tract infection increased liver enzyme levels inflammation of hair follicles (folliculitis) tiredness lower respiratory tract infections nausea genital yeast infection low red blood cell count (anemia) low number of certain types of white blood cells (neutropenia) stomach-area (abdominal) pain shingles (herpes zoster) increased weight These are not all of the possible side effects of OLUMIANT.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Side effects, and when to stop

" for more information about side effects. What is OLUMIANT? OLUMIANT is a prescription medicine that is a Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitor. OLUMIANT is used to treat: adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis after treatment with 1 or more medicines called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers have been used and did not work well enough or could not be tolerated adult patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) requiring oxygen or assistance with breathing.

adults with severe alopecia areata It is not known if OLUMIANT is safe and effective in children. Before taking OLUMIANT, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you: have an infection are a current or past smoker have had a heart attack, other heart problems or stroke have kidney problems have liver problems have diabetes have low red or white blood cell counts have recently received or are scheduled to receive a vaccine.

People who take OLUMIANT should not receive live vaccines. have any stomach area (abdominal) pain or been diagnosed with diverticulitis or ulcers in your stomach or intestines are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if OLUMIANT will harm an unborn baby. If you become pregnant during treatment with OLUMIANT call Eli Lilly and Company at 1-800-545-5979 to report the pregnancy.

are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if OLUMIANT passes into your breast milk. You should not breastfeed during treatment with OLUMIANT and for 4 days after the last dose. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during treatment with OLUMIANT. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

OLUMIANT and other medicines may affect each other causing side effects. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take: a medicine called probenecid medicines that affect your immune system such as biologic medications, other JAK inhibitors, and strong immunosuppressants (such as azathioprine and cyclosporine) as these medicines may increase your risk of infection.

Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you are not sure if you are taking one of these medicines. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

Storing it

Store OLUMIANT at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C). Keep OLUMIANT and all medicines out of the reach of children.

Cite this page

NLM

sofidex [Internet]. Daloreum; c2026. Baricitinib; [reviewed 2026 Aug 2; cited 2026 Nov 10]. Available from: https://sofidex.com/patients/medicines/baricitinib

APA 7th

sofidex. (2026, August 2). Baricitinib. Daloreum. Retrieved November 10, 2026, from https://sofidex.com/patients/medicines/baricitinib

AMA 11th

Baricitinib. sofidex. Reviewed August 2, 2026. Accessed November 10, 2026. https://sofidex.com/patients/medicines/baricitinib

The cited date is today’s, because a citation records when you read the page. The reviewed date is when a clinician last checked it.