New Clinical Trials and Information from the FDA in regard to a brand new Oral Medication, first of it's kind for RA... on the horizon possibly...
There is a "supposed" New Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug, (Oral) another JAK and JAK-1 Inhibitor on the horizon BUT there seems to be questions in regard to causing "blood clots" and it is in Clinical Trials at the time. This would be the "1st) of a kind RA medication that would be a ONCE daily oral med. We NOW have another JAK Inhibitor, Xeljanz on the market. You take it twice daily and it is an oral medication. What my Rheumatologist told me it is usually good for those with >mild> RA as a "stand alone" medication BUT for those like myself with "severe" RA,other medications such as my Actemra that I take by injection which is a biologic, along with other medications are needed when the RA is in severe form. I've really been through the mill on these two. I've been on Actemra now for about 9 months or so. But, my hand joints,wrists, fingers and especially my thumbs are really bad! So, he put me on the Xeljanz orally I take twice daily. Well at first I was thrilled then I got to reading and worried about the biologic and the JAK inhibitor together. I spoke with my PCP and see my Rheumatologist next week. What my PCP told me, is that "each person" is individual, and they have to put out the information for "overall" folks, BUT that my Rheumatologist has done is own "testing" as far as how his patients and those in the clinic do overall with the medications. So, he decided for me it was a "good fit"... which of course we all know that because you "read" something online does NOT mean it is so for you also... but this is exciting news for another alternative, or addition to our other RA medications. As well as many possible other autoimmune illnesses.
Here is more information and this is by Lilly....