TOFACITINIB CITRATE

Tofacitinib citrate is an oral drug used for treating rheumatoid arthritis. It belongs to a class of drugs called Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. JAKs are enzymes (proteins) that regulate chemical signaling pathways that control biologic processes such as blood formation and the immune response that causes the pain, tenderness and swelling of inflammation. JAKs are found in many cells, especially stem cells in bones and joints. Inhibition of JAKs by tofacitinib prevents inflammation and tissue destruction that is associated with the inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis. Tofacitinib was approved in November 2012.

Tofacitinib is used for moderate-to-severely active rheumatoid arthritis in adults who have had an insufficient response or cannot tolerate methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall).Tofacitinib may be used by itself or in combination with methotrexate or other non-biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs).

Side effects of tofacitinib are:increased cholesterol levels,headache,diarrhea,sore throat,runny nose,urinary tract infection,nasopharyngitis, and upper respiratory infections.

Patients must be carefully monitored for the development of signs and symptoms of infection before and during the treatment of tofacitinib.