The influence of safety warnings on the prescribing of JAK inhibitors

In 2017, the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors baricitinib and tofacitinib were launched in Europe for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. This was followed by the approval of upadacitinib and filgotinib. Licensed indications for the JAK inhibitor class have since expanded to include psoriatic arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and atopic dermatitis, with indications differing widely for individual JAK inhibitors (appendix p 2). JAK inhibitors—Friend or Foe?The licensing of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors for patients with rheumatic disease marked a pivotal moment in the pursuit of new groundbreaking therapies for patients. However, as safety concerns surrounding these drugs continue to mount, do the benefits of JAK inhibitors outweigh the risks for patients? Full-Text PDF