Drug Interactions between baricitinib and dexamethasone / ketorolac / moxifloxacin

MONITOR CLOSELY: Concomitant administration of corticosteroids may potentiate the risk of tendinitis and tendon rupture associated with fluoroquinolone treatment. The mechanism is unknown. Tendinitis and tendon rupture have most frequently involved the Achilles tendon, although cases involving the rotator cuff (the shoulder), the hand, the biceps, and the thumb have also been reported. Some have required surgical repair or resulted in prolonged disability. Tendon rupture can occur during or up to several months after completion of fluoroquinolone therapy.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is recommended if fluoroquinolones are prescribed in combination with corticosteroids, particularly in patients with other concomitant risk factors (e.g., age over 60 years; recipient of kidney, heart, and/or lung transplant). Patients should be advised to stop taking the fluoroquinolone, avoid exercise and use of the affected area, and promptly contact their physician if they experience pain, swelling, or inflammation of a tendon. In general, fluoroquinolones should only be used to treat conditions that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by bacteria and only if the benefits outweigh the risks.

MONITOR CLOSELY: Coadministration of baricitinib or tofacitinib with other immuno- or myelosuppressive agents may potentiate the risk of infections as well as lymphoma and other malignancies. Serious and sometimes fatal infections due to bacterial, mycobacterial, invasive fungal, viral, or other opportunistic pathogens have been reported in patients receiving baricitinib and tofacitinib, most of whom were taking concomitant immunosuppressants such as methotrexate or high-dose corticosteroids. Lymphoma and other malignancies have also been observed with tofacitinib use, with or without concomitant immunosuppressants. Epstein Barr virus-associated posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder has been observed at an increased rate in renal transplant patients treated with tofacitinib and concomitant immunosuppressive agents (basiliximab, high-dose corticosteroids, and mycophenolic acid) relative to cyclosporine plus the same induction regimen (2.3% vs. 0%). The most common serious infections reported with baricitinib treatment include pneumonia, herpes zoster, and urinary tract infection. Opportunistic infections include tuberculosis, multidermatomal herpes zoster, esophageal candidiasis, pneumocystosis, acute histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, cytomegalovirus, and BK virus. Lymphoma and other malignancies have also been observed with baricitinib use, with or without concomitant immunosuppressants.

MANAGEMENT: Close monitoring for the development of infection is recommended if baricitinib or tofacitinib is used in combination with other immuno- or myelosuppressive agents (e.g., high-dose corticosteroids), including the possible development of tuberculosis in patients who tested negative for latent tuberculosis infection prior to initiating therapy. Lymphocyte and neutrophil counts as well as hemoglobin should be evaluated at baseline and regularly during therapy, and the baricitinib or tofacitinib dosage adjusted as necessary in accordance with the product labeling. Patients should be advised to contact their physician if they develop signs and symptoms of infection such as fever, chills, diarrhea, sore throat, muscle aches, shortness of breath, blood in phlegm, weight loss, red or inflamed skin, body sores, and pain or burning during urination. If a serious infection, an opportunistic infection, or sepsis develops, baricitinib should be interrupted until the infection is controlled.

MONITOR CLOSELY: Baricitinib and tofacitinib, both Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, have been associated with an increased risk of diverticulitis (DV) and gastrointestinal (GI) perforation, particularly in patients with risk factors (e.g., history of diverticulosis or diverticulitis, concomitant use of other agents associated with DV). Cases of DV and GI perforation have been reported in patients receiving baricitinib concomitantly with other agents linked to an increased risk of DV, such as aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, and opioids. The mechanism of this interaction and the role of JAK inhibition, if any, has not been determined.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is recommended when using baricitinib or tofacitinib in patients with a history of diverticular disease and in patients receiving long-term concomitant treatment with drugs associated with an increased risk of DV and/or GI perforation, such as aspirin, NSAIDs, corticosteroids, and opioids. Patients should be advised to contact their healthcare provider if they experience signs of DV or GI perforation, such as severe abdominal pain, fever, nausea, or vomiting.

MONITOR: The combined use of corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may increase the potential for serious gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity, including inflammation, bleeding, ulceration, and perforation. In a large, case-control study of elderly patients, those who used corticosteroids and NSAIDs concurrently had an estimated relative risk (RR) for peptic ulcer disease and GI hemorrhage of 14.6 compared to those who used neither. Corticosteroid use was associated with a doubling of the risk (estimated RR = 2.0), but the risk was confined to those who also used NSAIDs. It is possible that both categories of agents are ulcerogenic and have additive effects on the GI mucosa during coadministration. Some investigators have also suggested that the primary effect of corticosteroids in this interaction is to delay healing of erosions caused by NSAIDs rather than cause de novo ulcerations.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if corticosteroids and NSAIDs are used together, especially in patients with a prior history of peptic ulcer disease or GI bleeding and in elderly and debilitated patients. During concomitant therapy, patients should be advised to take the medications with food and to immediately report signs and symptoms of GI ulceration and bleeding such as severe abdominal pain, dizziness, lightheadedness, and the appearance of black, tarry stools. The selective use of prophylactic anti-ulcer therapy (e.g., antacids, H2-antagonists) may be considered.

MONITOR: Coadministration with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may potentiate the risk of central nervous system toxicity sometimes associated with fluoroquinolone use. The interaction has been reported most often with enoxacin. It may occur with other fluoroquinolones as well, but is poorly documented. The exact mechanism of interaction is unknown. Some investigators suggest that the piperazine ring of fluoroquinolones may inhibit the binding of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) to brain receptors and that NSAIDs may synergistically add to this effect. Patients with a history of seizures may be at greater risk.

MANAGEMENT: Clinical monitoring for signs of CNS stimulation such as tremors, involuntary muscle movements, hallucinations, or seizures is recommended if fluoroquinolone antibiotics are prescribed in combination with NSAIDs.

MONITOR: Coadministration of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors with corticosteroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and/or opioids may increase the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) perforation. Patients with a prior history of peptic ulceration or diverticular disease may also have an increased risk. Adverse events of diverticulitis and GI perforation have been infrequently reported in clinical studies and postmarketing use of JAK inhibitors such as baricitinib, ruxolitinib, tofacitinib, and upadacitinib. However, the role of JAK inhibition in these events has not been determined. In studies with rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis patients, many were receiving background therapy with NSAIDs or corticosteroids.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is recommended when using JAK inhibitors in patients with a history of peptic ulceration or diverticular disease and in patients receiving concomitant treatment with drugs associated with an increased risk of GI perforation such as corticosteroids, NSAIDs, and opioids. Patients should be advised to contact their healthcare provider if they experience signs and symptoms of GI perforation such as severe abdominal pain, fever, chills, nausea, or vomiting.