Can tofacitinib (Shangjie) be taken for a long time and recommendations for safe use by patients with chronic diseases

Tofacitinib is an oral small molecule JAK inhibitor that is mainly used to treat immune-mediated chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ulcerative colitis. Since its mechanism involves immunosuppression, long-term use needs to be under the guidance of a doctor, and blood routine, liver and kidney function and infection indicators should be monitored regularly to reduce the risk of potential adverse reactions. Patients should not increase or decrease the dose or discontinue the drug on their own for a long time, otherwise it may lead to disease recurrence or an increase in drug-related risks.

Clinical studies have shown that patients with long-term use of tofacitinib may experience adverse reactions such as increased risk of infection, elevated blood lipids, and thrombotic events. Patients with chronic diseases need to be especially concerned about potential infection risks, including respiratory infections, herpes zoster, and tuberculosis. Therefore, they should conduct a comprehensive evaluation before long-term use, and consider vaccination and tuberculosis screening. At the same time, patients with a history of cardiovascular disease or thrombosis need to be used with caution and followed up regularly.

The long-term safety of tofacitinib also includes effects on liver and kidney function. If patients with chronic diseases are accompanied by abnormal liver function or renal insufficiency, they should adjust the dosage or extend the monitoring period according to the doctor's recommendations to ensure normal drug metabolism and excretion. At the same time, long-term medication may cause changes in blood routine, such as a decrease in white blood cells and platelets. Regular review is required to detect abnormalities in time and adjust the medication plan.

Generally speaking, tofacitinib can be used as a long-term maintenance treatment for chronic immune diseases, but it must be used under the guidance of a doctor. Patients should have regular follow-up visits, monitor blood indicators, liver and kidney function, and cardiovascular status, and strictly abide by the recommended dosage and course of medication to maximize the efficacy while reducing the potential risks of long-term medication.

Keyword tags:

Tofacitinib, tofacitinib,JAK inhibitors, rheumatoid arthritis, long-term use, safety, infection risk, monitoring

Reference materials:https://www.drugs.com/tofacitinib.html