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baricitinib

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Brand names: Olumiant

JAK Inhibitor Rx

Olumiant contains baricitinib. It is a medicine that can lower the activity of your immune system.

Drug Pricing (NADAC)

Brand Price

$88.88/unit

Generic Available

No

ELI LILLY AND CO

Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →

What it does

Olumiant treats rheumatoid arthritis in adults when other medicines have not worked well.

Common side effects

Upper respiratory tract infections (like common cold), Nausea, Headache

Key warnings

Olumiant can increase your risk of serious infections.

How It Works

Olumiant blocks certain enzymes called Janus kinases (JAKs) inside your cells. These enzymes help cause inflammation. By blocking them, Olumiant can reduce inflammation and other symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and alopecia areata.

How to Take It

Take Olumiant exactly as your doctor tells you. You can take it with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day. Do not break, crush, or chew the tablet.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Olumiant may harm your unborn baby. It is not known if Olumiant passes into breast milk, so talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take Olumiant.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time.

Storage

Store Olumiant at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

Side Effects (from patient reports)

Based on 3,664 FDA adverse event reports.

Medicine not working
709
Using the medicine for something it's not approved for
655
COVID-19
439
Rheumatoid arthritis
352
Blood clot in the lung
294
Pneumonia
264
Headache
253
Shingles
237
Death
235
Nausea
226

FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis

Detailed analysis of 9,259 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2012–2025.

Total Reports

9,259

Death-Related Reports

866

Hospitalization Reports

3,011

Top Indication

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Gender Distribution

Female 5,641 (67%)
Male 2,741 (33%)

Age Distribution

0–17 184
18–44 1,111
45–64 2,625
65–74 1,623
75+ 1,022

Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)

# Reaction Reports
1 DRUG INEFFECTIVE 709
2 OFF LABEL USE 655
3 COVID-19 439
4 RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS 352
5 PULMONARY EMBOLISM 294
6 PNEUMONIA 264
7 HEADACHE 253
8 HERPES ZOSTER 237
9 DEATH 235
10 NAUSEA 226
11 DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS 213
12 FATIGUE 183
13 ARTHRALGIA 179
14 WEIGHT INCREASED 179
15 THERAPY INTERRUPTED 178

Reactions in Death Reports

DEATH 229
COVID-19 80
OFF LABEL USE 70
RESPIRATORY FAILURE 48
CARDIAC ARREST 45
DRUG INEFFECTIVE 42
COVID-19 PNEUMONIA 41
SEPSIS 41
PULMONARY EMBOLISM 39
MULTIPLE ORGAN DYSFUNCTION SYNDROME 34

Reactions in Hospitalization Reports

OFF LABEL USE 256
COVID-19 227
PNEUMONIA 185
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS 181
PULMONARY EMBOLISM 154
DRUG INEFFECTIVE 143
DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS 109
DYSPNOEA 99
HERPES ZOSTER 88
PYREXIA 83

Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation

Serious Warnings

Olumiant can increase your risk of serious infections. Tell your doctor right away if you have any signs of an infection, such as fever, cough, or body aches. Blood clots in the lungs and legs, some cancers, heart attack, stroke, and death have happened in people taking Olumiant.

Common Questions

What should I tell my doctor before taking Olumiant?
Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including any infections, liver problems, kidney problems, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
How long does it take for Olumiant to work?
It may take several weeks or months before you notice the full effects of Olumiant.
Can I take Olumiant with other medicines?
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What are the symptoms of a serious infection?
Symptoms of a serious infection include fever, cough, body aches, chills, and fatigue.
Can Olumiant cause cancer?
Olumiant may increase your risk of certain types of cancer. Talk to your doctor about this risk.
What should I do if I get pregnant while taking Olumiant?
Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking Olumiant.
Can Olumiant affect my cholesterol?
Olumiant can increase your cholesterol levels. Your doctor may check your cholesterol levels while you are taking Olumiant.
Will Olumiant cure my rheumatoid arthritis?
Olumiant will not cure rheumatoid arthritis, but it can help to reduce your symptoms.
Can I get vaccines while taking Olumiant?
You should not get live vaccines while taking Olumiant. Talk to your doctor about which vaccines are safe for you.
What tests will I need while taking Olumiant?
Your doctor may do blood tests to check your blood cell counts and liver function while you are taking Olumiant.
What are the common side effects of baricitinib?
The most commonly reported side effects of baricitinib include Upper respiratory tract infections (like common cold), Nausea, Headache, Diarrhea, Herpes zoster (shingles). Based on 3,664 FDA adverse event reports. Always consult your healthcare provider about potential side effects.
What drug class is baricitinib?
baricitinib belongs to the JAK Inhibitor drug class. It requires a prescription (Rx). Olumiant treats rheumatoid arthritis in adults when other medicines have not worked well.
Is baricitinib safe during pregnancy?
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Olumiant may harm your unborn baby. Always consult your healthcare provider before using any medication during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Related Medications in JAK Inhibitor

Other drugs grouped near baricitinib — same-class peers and common alternatives.

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Medication Guides

Related Health & Safety Data

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What the FDA Data Shows for baricitinib

The FDA label for baricitinib (sold under brand names such as Olumiant) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the JAK Inhibitor class. Olumiant treats rheumatoid arthritis in adults when other medicines have not worked well. Official labeling lists 7 commonly reported side effects, including Upper respiratory tract infections (like common cold), Nausea, Headache.

Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 3,664 voluntary reports. Interaction data is drawn directly from FDA-approved prescribing information. NADAC pricing from CMS.

Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

Data Sources

Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).

FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.

Last updated: May 10, 2022

All federal data sources used on this page