Clinical Review: Rinvoq for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Anyone who has rheumatoid arthritis (RA) knows that it can be a pain! (Literally). There are different stages of rheumatoid arthritis and many different treatment options; however, when your RA advances to moderate or severe, oftentimes only certain medications will give adequate symptom control.

Many of the medications that provide symptom control for moderate to severe RA have to be injected on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly schedule. Some of them even have to be infused. But there’s great news for people that don’t want to be injected or infused for the treatment of RA! There is now a new tablet option called Rinvoq.

Who should take Rinvoq?

• Patients best suited for Rinvoq:
  • – have a diagnosis of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis
    – have tried and not been successful with methotrexate
    – are not on any other strong immunosuppressant drugs

How often is Rinvoq taken?

Rinvoq is a tablet that is taken once daily.

• Do I have to take it with a meal?

• It can be given with or without food, so no need to schedule it around a meal if it is not convenient for you.

What side effects should I expect?

• Rinvoq does not have many known side effects. There is increased infection risk with Rinvoq as there are with other biologics. Otherwise, the side effects are rare and may include nausea, cough, or fever. If you are prescribed Rinvoq, your pharmacist can discuss this in more detail with you.

What benefits can I expect from Rinvoq?

• Benefits vary from person to person, but some common improvements are:
  – Reduction in pain, swelling, and stiffness
  – Reduction in fatigue
  – Improvement in physical function such as reaching, gripping, and doing chores
  – Reduction in further joint damage

How affordable is Rinvoq?

Many insurances cover Rinvoq to make it more affordable. If your doctor thinks Rinvoq is the right choice for you, call Sona Specialty Pharmacy to discuss your options. We can assist with insurance, copay cards, and patient assistance foundations if you need it. We are experts in this area and are ready to help you in all ways possible!

Resources:
https://www.rinvoqhcp.com/access-and-support
https://www.rinvoq.com/about-rinvoq/rinvoq-results