What are the new drugs for rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?
The newest drugs for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis are the Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, which are FDA approved under the brand names Rinvoq, Olumiant, and Xeljanz.
Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors work by blocking the activity of one or more of the Janus kinase enzymes (JAK1, JAK2, JAK3, TYK2) in the JAK-STAT signaling pathway, an intracellular pathway that plays a major role in the release of the pro-inflammatory cytokines that stimulate inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis.
Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors are part of a wider group of drugs called DMARDs (Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs). DMARDs work to slow the progression of joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis.
For more information on the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, see Rheumatoid Arthritis: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment Options
New Treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis - Latest FDA Approvals
| Drug | Drug Class | Administration | Company | FDA Approved for RA | RA Indication | Other Indications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| upadacitinib (Rinvoq) | Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor |
oral extended-release tablets once daily |
AbbVie Inc. | 16-Aug-2019 |
|
|
| baricitinib (Olumiant) | Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor | oral tablets once daily | Eli Lilly and Company | 31-May-2018 |
|
|
| sarilumab (Kevzara) | interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antagonist |
subcutaneous injection every 2 weeks |
Sanofi and Regeneron | 22-May-2017 |
|
|
| tofacitinib (Xeljanz XR) | Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor | oral extended-release tablets once daily | Pfizer Inc. | 23-Feb-2016 |
|
|
| golimumab (Simponi Aria) | tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker | intravenous infusion at weeks 0 and 4, then every 8 weeks | Janssen Biotech, Inc. | 18-Jul-2013 |
|
|
| tofacitinib (Xeljanz) | Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor | oral tablets twice daily | Pfizer Inc. | 6-Nov-2012 |
|
|
| tocilizumab (Actemra) | interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antagonist |
intravenous infusion every 4 weeks subcutaneous injection every 2 weeks, then every week |
Genentech, Inc. | 8-Jan-2010 |
|
|
| certolizumab pegol (Cimzia) | tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker | subcutaneous injection at weeks 0, 2, and 4, then every 2-4 weeks | UCB, Inc. | 13-May-2009 |
|
|
| golimumab (Simponi) | tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker |
subcutaneous injection once a month |
Janssen Biotech, Inc. | 24-Apr-2009 |
|
|
| rituximab (Rituxan) | CD20-directed cytolytic antibody | intravenous infusion two infusions separated by 2 weeks (one course) every 24 weeks or based on clinical evaluation (not sooner than every 16 weeks) | Genentech, Inc. | 28-Feb-2006 |
|
|
| abatacept (Orencia) | selective T cell costimulation modulator |
intravenous infusion at 0, 2 and 4 weeks, then every 4 weeks subcutaneous injection once weekly |
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company | 23-Dec-2005 |
|
|
| adalimumab (Humira) | tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker |
subcutaneous injection every 2 weeks |
AbbVie Inc. | 31-Dec-2002 |
|
|
| anakinra (Kineret) | interleukin-1 receptor antagonist |
subcutaneous injection once daily |
Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB | 14-Nov-2001 |
|
|
| infliximab (Remicade) | tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker | intravenous infusion at 0, 2, and 6 weeks, then every 8 weeks | Janssen Biotech, Inc. | 10-Nov-1999 |
|
|
| etanercept (Enbrel) | tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker |
subcutaneous injection once weekly |
Immunex Corporation | 2-Nov-1998 |
|
|
| leflunomide (Arava) | pyrimidine synthesis inhibitor | oral tablets once daily | sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC | 10-Sep-1998 |
|
|
The biosimilars for Actemra, Rituxan, Humira, Remicade, and Enbrel are also FDA approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis:
Related questions
- What are JAK inhibitors and how do they work?
- Which JAK inhibitors are approved in the U.S?
- What happens when you stop taking Xeljanz?
Actemra (tocilizumab) Biosimilars
Rituxan (rituximab) Biosimilars
Humira (adalimumab) Biosimilars
- Amjevita (adalimumab-atto)
- Cyltezo (adalimumab-adbm)
- Hyrimoz (adalimumab-adaz)
- Hadlima (adalimumab-bwwd)
- Abrilada (adalimumab-afzb)
- Hulio (adalimumab-fkjp)
- Yusimry (adalimumab-aqvh)
- Idacio (adalimumab-aacf)
- Yuflyma (adalimumab-aaty)
- Simlandi (adalimumab-ryvk)
Remicade (infliximab) Biosimilars
- Inflectra (infliximab-dyyb)
- Renflexis (infliximab-abda)
- Ixifi (infliximab-qbtx)
- Avsola (infliximab-axxq)
Enbrel (etanercept) Biosimilars
Read next
How long does Xeljanz take to work?
Xeljanz can work in as little as three days for patients with ulcerative colitis. Some patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis will notice an improvement in their symptoms within two weeks, but others may have to wait up to three to four months for Xeljanz to work.
Xeljanz (tofacitinib citrate) is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor and disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD), which works by suppressing the immune system. Continue reading
Does Xeljanz cause hair loss?
Hair loss is not a side effect of Xeljanz. In fact, Xeljanz is sometimes used off-label to treat hair loss in patients with alopecia areata. Treatment with Xeljanz leads to hair regrowth in some patients with alopecia areata, although hair shedding occurs once treatment is stopped. Continue reading
Can I drink alcohol while taking Xeljanz?
Although the manufacturer of Xeljanz, Pfizer, does not warn of an interaction between alcohol and Xeljanz, you should not drink excessive amounts of alcohol while you are taking Xeljanz because both are metabolized by the liver and can cause liver damage. The risk may be higher if you take other immunosuppressants or medications that also affect the liver, such as methotrexate, or already have liver disease. There have already been numerous Xeljanz lawsuits filed by people who believe Pfizer should have warned them about the dangers of combining alcohol and Xeljanz. Continue reading
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