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Overview: Olumiant is used for rheumatoid arthritis, COVID-19, and a certain type of hair loss, alopecia areata. It calms your immune system by blocking a protein called Janus kinase, which is involved in inflammation. Common side effects include infections of the nose and throat, headache, acne, nausea, and stomach pain. Get emergency help if you have chest pain, trouble breathing, or sudden weakness on one side of your body, severe headache, slurred speech, or trouble understanding speech.

Uses

What is Olumiant used for?

Olumiant (baricitinib) is commonly used for the following conditions. 

Learn more about How Olumiant Works for Alopecia.

Olumiant may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does Olumiant work (mechanism of action)?

Rheumatoid arthritis, COVID-19, and alopecia areata all involve inflammation. Olumiant helps to calm your immune system by blocking a protein called Janus kinase that is involved in inflammation with these conditions.

How is Olumiant supplied (dosage forms)?

Brand and other names

  • Olumiant

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 1 mg, 2 mg, 4 mg oral tablets

How should I store Olumiant?

Olumiant should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Olumiant?

The most common side effects of Olumiant are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Infections in the nose, throat or lungs, sore throat, common cold symptoms
  • Nausea, stomach pain
  • Genital yeast infection
  • Skin problems, including acne, folliculitis, rash, or infections such as cold sores (herpes) or shingles
  • Headache
  • Elevated liver enzymes
  • Increased creatine phosphokinase (CPK)
  • Weight gain
  • Tiredness
  • Blood disorders (see below)
  • Blood clots (see below)
  • Kidney or bladder infections
  • High platelet levels
  • High cholesterol levels (see below)

There may be other side effects of Olumiant that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Olumiant?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Olumiant are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Olumiant may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Olumiant and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Infections. Olumiant can increase your risk of infections, including serious infections. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have an infection or any of the following symptoms.

  • Burning or stinging when you pee 
  • Cough or coughing up blood
  • Fever, sweats, chills, or muscle aches
  • Shortness of breath
  • Diarrhea or stomach pain
  • Weight loss
  • Skin rash or itchy, painful sores

Cancer. Olumiant can cause a new cancer to develop or cause a previously treated cancer to recur. Your risk may be higher if you smoke or used to smoke. Tell your healthcare provider about any cancers that you or your family members have had in the past. Limit sun exposure, wear sunscreen, and clothes to cover your skin. Keep any appointments to get your skin checked. Tell your healthcare provider about any new symptoms that you may get. 

Heart Attack and Stroke. Olumiant can increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke that can lead to death. This risk of heart attack, stroke, or death is higher in people who are 50 years old or older, have a high risk of heart disease, and either smoke now or did in the past. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of a heart attack or stroke.

  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Fast or abnormal heartbeat
  • Trouble breathing
  • Pain in your back, jaw, throat, stomach, or arm
  • Sweating, upset stomach, vomiting, dizziness, or lightheadedness
  • Sudden weakness on one side of your body
  • Sudden and severe headache
  • Slurred speech or trouble understanding speech

Blood Clots. Olumiant may cause blood clots in your veins or arteries and could cause venous thromboembolism (VTE), or a blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism). Stop taking Olumiant and get emergency help if you have any of the following signs of blood clots. 

  • Back pain, chest pain or pressure
  • Fast or abnormal heartbeat
  • Trouble breathing
  • Pain, swelling, or tenderness in your arm or leg

Stomach Bleeding. Olumiant can increase your risk of tears (perforation) in your gut. The risk is higher if you have a history of stomach ulcers. Stop taking Olumiant and get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Vomit blood
  • Black or tarry poop
  • Stomach pain or an upset stomach that does not go away
  • Feel faint
  • Fever or chills

Blood Disorders. Olumiant can cause blood disorders, such as low red blood cell levels (anemia) and low white blood cell levels (neutropenia and lymphopenia). Olumiant should not be used if your red blood cell or white blood cell levels are too low. Keep all appointments to check your blood work.

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking Olumiant. Olumiant should not be used if your liver is not working as well as it should be. Keep all appointments including lab appointments, before and while you are taking Olumiant. Your healthcare provider will need to make sure your liver is working well enough for you to take this medicine.  

High Cholesterol Levels. Olumiant can cause high cholesterol levels. Keep all appointments with your healthcare provider to check your blood work. Talk with your healthcare provider about ways to keep your cholesterol levels from getting too high.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Olumiant?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Olumiant.

  • Baricitinib
  • Olumiant
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Olumiant.

What should I know about Olumiant before using it?

Do not take Olumiant unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share Olumiant with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Olumiant out of the reach of children.

Do not cut, chew, break, or crush Olumiant tablets. They should be swallowed whole. If you have trouble swallowing tablets, you can dissolve them in about 10 mL of room temperature water, by swirling gently. Once dissolved you should drink the liquid right away, rinse the container with 10 mL water and drink that. Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions about taking your Olumiant.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using Olumiant?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if Olumiant is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Vaccines. Talk with your healthcare provider about any vaccines that you may need. You should not receive certain vaccines right before or while taking Olumiant. Tell your healthcare provider about any vaccines you have recently received or have scheduled.

Kidney Problems. Olumiant should not be used if your kidneys are not working as well as they should be. If there is a concern about the health of your kidneys, your healthcare provider may do tests to determine if they are working well enough to take this medicine.

Liver Problems. Olumiant should not be used if your liver is not working as well as it should be. If there is a concern about the health of your liver, your healthcare provider may do tests to determine if it is working well enough to take this medicine.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

  • Have or think you have an infection, including sores that are warm, red, or hurt, even if you are being treated
  • Infections that will not go away or keep coming back
  • Stroke or heart problems, such as a heart attack
  • Trouble breathing or lung problems, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • A weak immune system, HIV, or diabetes
  • Anemia
  • Tuberculosis (TB) or in close contact with someone who has it
  • Shingles, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C
  • Live, lived, or traveled to parts of the country like the Ohio or Mississippi River Valley or the southwestern United States
  • Fever, sweating, or chills
  • Muscle aches or feel tired
  • Cough or coughing up blood
  • Stomach pain, diarrhea, gut surgeries, or if food moves through your gut quicker than normal
  • Pain when you go pee or peeing more often than you normally do
  • Losing weight without trying
  • Diverticulitis or ulcers in your gut
  • Smoke tobacco now or used to
  • History or family history of cancer
  • Blood clots or are at higher risk for blood clots

Other Medicines and Supplements. Olumiant may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking Olumiant, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Olumiant could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking Olumiant, contact the manufacturer at 800-LillyRx (800-545-5979).

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Olumiant passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should stop breastfeeding or stop Olumiant.

How can I get more information about Olumiant?

For more information about Olumiant, you can visit the manufacturer’s website at www.olumiant.com or call them at 800-545-5979.

Interactions

Does Olumiant interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Olumiant and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Olumiant. The risk of tiredness and liver damage may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking Olumiant.

Does Olumiant interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking Olumiant.

  • Probenecid, which is a medicine commonly used for gout
  • A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and others, which is in many prescription and OTC products for pain, swelling, and fever
  • Methotrexate (Trexall and others), which is a medicine commonly used for rheumatoid arthritis or certain types of cancer
  • A corticosteroid, such as dexamethasone, methylprednisolone, or prednisone, which is a medicine for certain inflammatory conditions
  • Baricitinib (Olumiant), which is a medicine used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, coronavirus infection (COVID-19), or a type of hair loss called alopecia areata 
  • Ruxolitinib (Jakafi), which is a medicine used to treat myelofibrosis, polycythemia vera, or graft versus host disease
  • Tofacitinib (Xeljanz), which is a medicine used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, polyarticular course juvenile idiopathic arthritis, or ulcerative colitis
  • Abrocitinib (Cibinqo), which is a medicine used to treat atopic dermatitis
  • Ritlecitinib (Litfulo), which is a medicine used to treat a type of hair loss called alopecia areata 
  • Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune, and others), azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran), tacrolimus (Prograf, Envarsus XR, Astagraf XL), or mycophenolate (Cellcept, Myfortic, and others), which is a medicine to suppress your immune system
  • A medicine used to treat autoimmune conditions, such as tocilizumab (Actemra), etanercept (Enbrel), adalimumab (Humira), infliximab (Remicade), rituximab (Rituxan), abatacept (Orencia), anakinra (Kineret), certolizumab (Cimzia), golimumab (Simponi), ustekinumab (Stelara), secukinumab (Cosentyx), vedolizumab (Entyvio), or ixekizumab (Taltz)

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of Olumiant. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Olumiant. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Olumiant?

If you or someone else has used too much Olumiant, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Olumiant?

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 only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.