Drug Interaction Report

GENERALLY AVOID: Coadministration of baricitinib with other immunosuppressive 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, most of whom were taking concomitant immunosuppressants such as methotrexate or corticosteroids. 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, including melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers, have also been observed with the use of baricitinib and other Janus kinase inhibitors.

MANAGEMENT: Concomitant use of baricitinib with other Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), or potent immunosuppressants (e.g., azathioprine, cyclosporine) is not recommended. Patients receiving baricitinib should be closely monitored for the development of signs and symptoms of infection during and after treatment, including the possible development of tuberculosis in patients who tested negative for latent tuberculosis infection prior to initiating therapy. If a serious infection, an opportunistic infection, or sepsis develops, baricitinib should be interrupted until the infection is controlled.

MONITOR: Smoking during treatment with deuruxolitinib may increase the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and the risk of developing malignancies. In clinical studies of deuruxolitinib, individuals who were current or former smokers had an additional increased risk of overall malignancies. Also, deuruxolitinib may increase patients' risk of MACE, including myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular death.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if deuruxolitinib is prescribed to current or past smokers. Patients should be informed about the symptoms of serious cardiovascular events and the steps to take if they occur. The manufacturer recommends discontinuing deuruxolitinib in patients that have experienced a myocardial infarction or stroke. Deuruxolitinib may be taken with or without food.