Can Tofacitinib treat rheumatoid arthritis?

Tofacitinib is an immunosuppressant that works by blocking the action of an enzyme called Janus kinase. These enzymes play an important role in the joint inflammation and damage that occurs in rheumatoid arthritis.

Patients treated with tofacitinib tabletsRA are usually taken at a dose of 5 mg twice daily; tofacitinib extended-release tablets are usually taken at a dose of 11 mg once daily. Six studies of more than 4,200 patients with rheumatoid arthritis have shown that tofacitinib can effectively reduce joint pain and swelling, improve joint movement, and slow joint damage. Most patients in these studies had previously tried other treatments, and most were taking tofacitinib and methotrexate. In one of the studies, tofacitinib was more effective than methotrexate in slowing joint damage and reducing symptoms when given alone. In another study, tofacitinib alone was more effective than placebo (a dummy treatment) at reducing symptoms such as pain and swelling.

Tofacitinibhas been launched in China and has entered the scope of Class B medical insurance. The common specification is tofacitinib citrate tablets. The price paid by medical insurance is relatively cheap, but the reimbursement ratio is different in different regions, and the price after reimbursement will be different. Overseas, there are also tofacitinib generic drugs produced in other countries. The price of each box produced by a Bangladeshi pharmaceutical factory is around RMB 300 (the price may fluctuate due to the exchange rate). The ingredients of domestic original drugs and foreign generic drugs are basically the same, and the prices of different specifications will be different.