What precautions do you need to know about when taking Upatinib/Refu?

Upadacitinib is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor that is widely used to treat immune-related diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, atopic dermatitis, ulcerative colitis, psoriatic arthritis, and Crohn's disease. Since it involves the regulation of the immune system, patients need to pay special attention to the medication method and related matters when using upadatinib to ensure the therapeutic effect and avoid adverse reactions.

1. Medication dosage and treatment plan

The dosage of upadatinib varies according to different conditions. In the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis, and axial spondyloarthritis, the recommended dose is 15 mg once a day. For the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD), the starting dose for patients aged 12 to 65 years and weighing at least 40 kg is 15 mg once a day. If the response is insufficient, the dose can be increased to 30 mg once a day; while for patients over 65 years old, the dose remains 15 mg once a day. In the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC), the dose during the induction phase is 45 mg once daily for 8 weeks; during the maintenance phase, the dose is 15 mg once daily, which can be increased to 30 mg once daily for refractory or severe patients.

For patients with psoriatic arthritis,The dose for children aged 2 to 18 years is based on body weight, while the recommended dose for adults is 15 mg once daily. In the treatment of Crohn's disease, the dose is 45 mg once daily for 12 weeks during the induction phase and 15 mg once daily during the maintenance phase. Based on the patient's response to treatment, the doctor may adjust the dosage accordingly.

2. How and when to take it

Upadatinib is generally recommended to be taken orally once daily or twice daily, depending on the requirements of the treatment regimen. To avoid gastrointestinal upset, patients are advised to take the medication with meals. Even if the recommended taking time of a drug has been determined, patients should try to maintain a fixed taking time to enhance the efficacy of the drug.

3. Dose adjustment and monitoring

While patients are taking upadacitinib, their dosage may be adjusted based on therapeutic effects or the emergence of side effects. Especially during the dose increase process, possible side effects need to be closely monitored, such as infection, abnormal liver function, changes in hematological indicators, etc. During the initial treatment or dose adjustment period, regular liver function and hematology tests are recommended to ensure drug safety.

4. Adverse reactions and precautions

Upadatinib may cause some side effects, including but not limited to upper respiratory tract infection, headache, diarrhea, and abnormal liver function. Patients with immune system disorders or who are receiving immunosuppressive therapy should be treated with special caution when using upadacitinib, as the drug may increase the risk of infection. Patients should be alert to symptoms of infection, such as fever, cough, etc. when taking upadacitinib, and seek medical attention immediately once symptoms occur.

Additionally, the use of upadacitinib in pregnant and breastfeeding women has not been well studied, so use of this drug during pregnancy or breastfeeding should be avoided unless your doctor believes that the potential benefits outweigh the risks. Women of childbearing age should take effective contraceptive measures while taking upatinib to avoid possible effects on the fetus.

5. If you miss taking medicine

If a patient misses a dose of upapatinib, it should be taken as soon as possible at the next scheduled dose and not a double dose to compensate for the missed dose. If you are not sure how to handle missed doses, you can seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist.

Keyword tags: Upadacitinib, Ruifu, Upadacitinib, dosage adjustment, adverse reactions, drug interactions, immunosuppression

Reference materials:https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/10972/smpc