Rinvoq® (upadacitinib) prescription online

Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors are a type of medication called a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD).¹ DMARDs reduce the symptoms of autoimmune diseases, in which an overactive immune system attacks the body’s healthy cells.³

JAK inhibitors halt the processes that tell the body to create too many cytokine proteins, which cause inflammation. They do this by blocking the messaging pathways that erroneously tell the body to overproduce cytokines.¹

When these pathways are blocked, inflammation decreases, and symptoms of conditions like eczema, rheumatoid arthritis, and ulcerative colitis are alleviated.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack healthy cells in the joints.^{4, 5} This leads to joint pain, swelling, and stiffness.^{4, 5} Rinvoq® decreases overactivity of the immune system and therefore reduces the inflammation and pain from RA.¹

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is characterized by recurring flare ups of both plaque psoriasis on the skin and painful inflammation in the joints.⁶ Just like for RA, Rinvoq® reduces inflammation associated with PsA and reduces joint pain.¹

Rinvoq® can also be used to treat ankylosing spondylitis (AS), a type of arthritis that impacts the joints in the spine.⁷ AS is specifically marked by painful inflammation in the area of the back where the spine meets the pelvis, known as the sacroiliac joints.⁷ Rinvoq® can reduce this inflammation.

Atopic dermatitis, more commonly known as eczema, is a recurring condition that causes red, dry, itchy patches on the skin, usually in response to allergens or other irritants.⁸ Rinvoq® soothes the symptoms of eczema by decreasing inflammation.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a type of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by inflammation of and ulcers in the large intestine (colon).⁹ When people have UC, the body attacks their intestinal cells, causing swelling and leading to symptoms like diarrhea, constipation, cramps, and stomach pain.⁹ Rinvoq® can help treat the symptoms of UC by reducing inflammation in the colon and is usually prescribed when TNF inhibitor medications have been unsuccessful.¹

Crohn's disease is another type of inflammatory bowel disease that often impacts both the small and large intestine.¹⁰ The features of Crohn’s disease are similar to that of ulcerative colitis, and Rinvoq® can similarly treat the swelling in the intestines and ameliorate symptoms.

Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) is a type of arthritis in the spine that, unlike ankylosing spondylitis, does not show joint damage on X-rays despite the presence of painful inflammation.¹¹ Up to 30% of people with nr-axSpA eventually develop the more severe ankylosing spondylitis.¹¹ As with AS, Rinvoq® treats the inflammation that causes painful symptoms.¹

The most common side effects of Rinvoq® include cold or flu-like symptoms, fever, nausea, headache, fatigue, weight gain, rashes on the skin, and muscle pain.^{1, 12, 13}

Less common but more severe side effects can occur, such as difficulty breathing, cold sores, dizziness, hives, numbness on one side of the body, blood clot symptoms, and more.^{1, 12, 13} Additionally, Rinvoq® can increase the chance of developing infections because it slows the activity of the immune system; signs of tuberculosis or other serious infections can occur.^{1, 12, 13} Rinvoq® may also increase your risk of cancer.¹

If any of these symptoms occur after taking Rinvoq®, you should contact your doctor immediately. In case of an emergency, call 911.

People who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant should not take Rinvoq®, as it may harm unborn babies.^{1, 12, 13} Similarly, people who are breastfeeding should avoid taking Rinvoq®.^{1, 12, 13}

You should also tell your doctor if you have a weakened immune system, chronic infections, cancer, elevated cholesterol, diabetes, hepatitis B or C, herpes zoster, HIV, kidney disease, or liver disease.^{1, 12} Based on your health history, your physician will determine if Rinvoq® is an appropriate treatment option.

Rinvoq® is prescribed to treat symptoms of inflammation associated with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, eczema, and ankylosing spondylitis.^{1, 2}

Rinvoq® is intended for long-term use to treat chronic conditions that cause painful inflammation.^{14, 15} Some of the risks involved with long-term use may include cardiovascular disease, cancer, increased risk of infection, and raised cholesterol levels.¹⁵ If you are experiencing any side effects, you should talk to your doctor to discuss the appropriate treatment plan.

Rinvoq® can begin soothing symptoms within the first week, but most people will notice it working within 12 weeks.¹

You should not take Rinvoq® while pregnant or breastfeeding due to the risk of harm to the fetus.^{1, 12, 13}

Because Rinvoq® works by decreasing the overactivity of the immune system, it can lead to serious infections.¹ If you notice any flu-like symptoms or signs of infections like tuberculosis, contact your doctor immediately.

If you forget to take a dose of Rinvoq®, you should take it as soon as you remember—with an important exception being if you are close to your next dose.¹ In this case, simply skip the missed dose and take the next one (in other words, do not take two doses at once).

In the case of overdose, call 911 immediately.