Key takeaways

  • Rinvoq is a brand-name drug prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis, atopic dermatitis, and other inflammatory conditions.
  • Rinvoq carries boxed warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) due to an increased risk of certain serious side effects, such as cancer. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the FDA.
  • Rinvoq interacts with certain medications. Before taking Rinvoq, you should inform your doctor of all drugs you’re taking to avoid potential interactions.

Rinvoq is a brand-name oral medication used to treat the following conditions in certain adults:

Doctors may also prescribe the drug to treat the following conditions in certain children:

  • PsA in children ages 2 years and older
  • moderate to severe atopic dermatitis in children ages 12 years and older
  • polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) in children ages 2 years and older

Rinvoq has limitations to its use for these conditions. To learn more, see the “Rinvoq uses” section.

Rinvoq medication details

  • Drug class: Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor
  • Drug forms:
    • extended-release oral tablet (“extended release” means the drug is released in your body slowly over a period of time)
    • oral solution, which is marketed under the name Rinvoq LQ
  • Generic available? no
  • Prescription required? yes

Note: While this article focuses on Rinvoq, the information also applies to Rinvoq LQ unless otherwise stated. Rinvoq and Rinvoq LQ are not interchangeable.

Rinvoq is a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD). It belongs to a class of medications called Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. DMARDs help ease inflammation and pain caused by certain conditions.

Rinvoq works by decreasing the activity of your immune system cells. This can reduce inflammation and relieve your condition’s symptoms.

How long does it take to work?

Rinvoq begins working in your body after the first dose. However, it may take several weeks for you to notice an improvement in your symptoms.

Here are more details about the uses Rinvoq has been approved for by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA):

Rinvoq for rheumatoid arthritis

Rinvoq is used to treat moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults who:

  • have RA that did not respond well to medications called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers, or
  • had to stop taking TNF blockers because of negative side effects

With RA, your immune system attacks certain joints in your body. This leads to inflammation and pain in the affected joints. RA usually affects the hands, wrists, and feet. However, it may also affect the shoulders, elbows, knees, or ankles. Over time, untreated RA can cause a person’s joints to become misshapen.

For details on this condition, refer to our rheumatoid arthritis hub.

For RA, Rinvoq can be taken alone, with methotrexate, or with nonbiologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), such as hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) or leflunomide (Arava).

However, Rinvoq should not be taken with certain other drugs to treat this condition. These include:

Effectiveness for rheumatoid arthritis

In clinical trials, Rinvoq was effective in treating RA in adults. To learn how the drug performed in these trials, see its prescribing information.

Rinvoq for psoriatic arthritis

Rinvoq is used to treat psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in adults and children ages 2 years and older who:

  • have PsA that did not respond well to medications called TNF blockers, or
  • had to stop taking TNF blockers because of negative side effects

With PsA, you have symptoms of arthritis, such as achy or stiff joints. You also have symptoms of psoriasis, including itchy or scaly patches of skin. For details on this condition, refer to our psoriasis and arthritis hubs.

For PsA, Rinvoq should not be taken with certain other drugs. These include:

  • other JAK inhibitors, such as tofacitinib
  • strong immunosuppressants, such as azathioprine and cyclosporine
  • biologic DMARDs, such as infliximab and adalimumab

Note: Doctors will likely prescribe Rinvoq LQ instead of Rinvoq for children under a certain weight. Rinvoq LQ is the oral solution form of Rinvoq. These forms should not be used interchangeably.

Effectiveness for psoriatic arthritis

In clinical trials, Rinvoq was effective in treating PsA in adults. Rinvoq is also expected to be effective for treating PsA in children ages 2 years and older. This is based on the clinical trials of Rinvoq for PsA in adults and for polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children.

To learn how Rinvoq performed in these trials, see the drug’s prescribing information.

Rinvoq for atopic dermatitis

Rinvoq is used to treat moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. (Atopic dermatitis is a type of eczema.) With atopic dermatitis, you have dry, itchy areas of skin. For more details on this condition, refer to our eczema hub.

Rinvoq is used in adults and children ages 12 years and older whose condition is either:

  • not well managed with certain systemic medications, or
  • cannot be treated with certain other medications

For atopic dermatitis, Rinvoq should not be taken with certain other drugs. These include:

  • other JAK inhibitors, such as tofacitinib
  • any immunosuppressants
  • biologic DMARDs, such as infliximab and adalimumab

Note: It’s not known whether Rinvoq LQ is safe and effective for children with atopic dermatitis. The manufacturer does not provide Rinvoq LQ dosages for children with this condition.

Effectiveness for atopic dermatitis

In clinical trials, Rinvoq was effective in treating atopic dermatitis in adults and children ages 12 years and older. To learn how the drug performed in these trials, see its prescribing information.

Rinvoq for ulcerative colitis

Rinvoq is used to treat moderate to severe ulcerative colitis (UC) in adults who:

  • have UC that did not respond well to medications called TNF blockers, or
  • had to stop taking TNF blockers because of negative side effects

With UC, you have long-term inflammation in your colon. This can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, and severe urges to have a bowel movement. For details on this condition, refer to our ulcerative colitis hub.

For UC, Rinvoq should not be taken with certain other drugs. These include:

  • other JAK inhibitors, such as tofacitinib
  • strong immunosuppressants, such as azathioprine and cyclosporine
  • biologic drugs for UC, such as infliximab and adalimumab

Effectiveness for ulcerative colitis

In clinical trials, Rinvoq was effective in treating UC in adults. To learn how the drug performed in these trials, see its prescribing information.

Rinvoq for Crohn’s disease

Rinvoq is used to treat moderate to severe Crohn’s disease in adults who:

  • have Crohn’s disease that did not respond well to medications called TNF blockers, or
  • had to stop taking TNF blockers because of negative side effects

With Crohn’s disease, you have long-term inflammation in any part of your digestive tract, including your stomach or intestines. This can cause mouth sores, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. For details on this condition, refer to our inflammatory bowel disease hub.

For Crohn’s disease, Rinvoq should not be taken with certain other drugs. These include:

  • other JAK inhibitors, such as tofacitinib
  • strong immunosuppressants, such as azathioprine and cyclosporine
  • biologic drugs for Crohn’s disease, such as infliximab and adalimumab

Effectiveness for Crohn’s disease

In clinical trials, Rinvoq was effective in treating Crohn’s disease in adults. To learn how the drug performed in these trials, see its prescribing information.

Rinvoq for ankylosing spondylitis

Rinvoq is used to treat ankylosing spondylitis in adults who:

  • have ankylosing spondylitis that did not respond well to medications called TNF blockers, or
  • had to stop taking TNF blockers because of negative side effects

With ankylosing spondylitis, you have inflammation in and around the joints of your spine. This can cause stiffness, pain, and limited range of motion in your back, particularly in the lower back. For details on this condition, refer to our arthritis hub.

For ankylosing spondylitis, Rinvoq should not be taken with certain other drugs. These include:

  • other JAK inhibitors, such as tofacitinib
  • strong immunosuppressants, such as azathioprine and cyclosporine
  • biologic DMARDs, such as infliximab and adalimumab

Effectiveness for ankylosing spondylitis

In clinical trials, Rinvoq was effective in treating ankylosing spondylitis in adults. To learn how the drug performed in these trials, see its prescribing information.

Rinvoq for non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis

Rinvoq is used to treat non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-AxSpA) in adults who:

  • have nr-AxSpA that did not respond well to medications called TNF blockers, or
  • had to stop taking TNF blockers because of negative side effects

With nr-AxSpA, you have inflammation in and around your spinal joints. This can cause stiffness, pain, and limited movement in your back, especially your lower back.

The difference between this condition and ankylosing spondylitis (which Rinvoq also treats) is that with nr-AxSpA, there is no visible joint damage on X-rays. To learn more, you can refer to our arthritis hub.

For nr-AxSpA, Rinvoq should not be taken with certain other drugs. These include:

  • other JAK inhibitors, such as tofacitinib
  • strong immunosuppressants, such as azathioprine and cyclosporine
  • biologic DMARDs, such as infliximab and adalimumab

Effectiveness for non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis

In clinical trials, Rinvoq was effective in treating nr-AxSpA in adults. To learn how the drug performed in these trials, see its prescribing information.

Rinvoq for giant cell arteritis

Rinvoq is also prescribed to treat giant cell arteritis in adults.

Arteritis refers to inflammation of the arteries. Giant cell arteritis affects the arteries in a person’s head and neck. Symptoms include headache, blurred vision, and pain in the mouth, face, or scalp.

For giant cell arteritis, Rinvoq should not be taken with certain other drugs. These include:

  • other JAK inhibitors, such as tofacitinib
  • strong immunosuppressants, such as azathioprine and cyclosporine
  • biologic DMARDs, such as infliximab and adalimumab

Effectiveness for giant cell arteritis

In clinical trials, Rinvoq was effective in treating giant cell arteritis in adults. To learn how the drug performed in these trials, see its prescribing information.

Rinvoq for polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Rinvoq is used to treat polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) in children ages 2 years and older who:

  • have pJIA that did not respond well to medications called TNF blockers, or
  • had to stop taking TNF blockers because of negative side effects

pJIA is a type of arthritis that affects children, and its cause is unknown. This condition affects five or more joints. Symptoms include swollen, painful, and stiff joints, blurry vision, and fever.

For pJIA, Rinvoq should not be taken with certain other drugs. These include:

  • other JAK inhibitors, such as tofacitinib
  • strong immunosuppressants, such as azathioprine and cyclosporine
  • biologic DMARDs, such as infliximab and adalimumab

Note: Doctors will likely prescribe Rinvoq LQ instead of Rinvoq for children under a certain weight. Rinvoq LQ is the oral solution form of Rinvoq. These forms should not be used interchangeably.

Effectiveness for pJIA

In clinical trials, Rinvoq was effective in treating pJIA in children ages 2 years and older. To learn how the drug performed in these trials, see its prescribing information.

Off-label uses for Rinvoq

In addition to the uses listed previously, doctors may prescribe Rinvoq off-label for other purposes. Off-label use is when a drug approved to treat one condition is used to treat another. Here are examples of off-label uses for Rinvoq.

Rinvoq for autoimmune conditions

Ongoing research is looking at Rinvoq as a treatment for several autoimmune conditions. (With autoimmune conditions, your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue in your body.) These include:

To learn more about possible off-label uses of Rinvoq, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Rinvoq and children

Rinvoq is approved for use in certain children with PsA, atopic dermatitis, and pJIA. For more information, see “Rinvoq for psoriatic arthritis,” “Rinvoq for atopic dermatitis,” and “Rinvoq for polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis.”

For treating PsA or pJIA, children may take Rinvoq LQ, an oral solution, instead of the Rinvoq extended-release oral tablet. (Extended release means the drug is released in your body slowly over a period of time.) For more information, see the “Rinvoq dosage” section.

Note that Rinvoq and Rinvoq LQ are not interchangeable.

Rinvoq is sometimes taken alone, but it’s often used in combination with other medications.

For rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis, doctors may prescribe Rinvoq in addition to another medication when the initial drug is not treating the condition well enough. Adding Rinvoq to a treatment plan can improve outcomes. For these conditions, Rinvoq can be taken with nonbiologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), such as methotrexate (Otrexup, Rasuvo, Trexall), hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), or leflunomide (Arava).

For atopic dermatitis, doctors may prescribe Rinvoq in combination with another medication when the initial drug is not treating the condition well enough. Rinvoq can be taken with topical corticosteroids, such as triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% cream or fluocinolone acetonide 0.025% ointment (Synalar).

For Crohn’s disease, doctors may prescribe Rinvoq in addition to another medication when the initial drug is not treating the condition well enough. Adding Rinvoq to a treatment plan can improve outcomes. For these conditions, Rinvoq can be taken with:

For giant cell arteritis, your doctor may recommend a corticosteroid taper combined with Rinvoq at the start of treatment. “Tapering” means your doctor will gradually lower the corticosteroid dosage until you are taking Rinvoq by itself.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about adding Rinvoq to your treatment plan to help improve your condition.

Your doctor will recommend the Rinvoq dosage that’s right for you. Dosage may vary based on the condition Rinvoq is being used to treat, your weight, and other factors.

Rinvoq can cause mild or serious side effects. The following list contains some of the more common side effects that may occur while taking Rinvoq. This list does not include all possible Rinvoq side effects.

For a full list of side effects of Rinvoq reported in clinical studies and after the drug was approved for use, see its prescribing information.

As with all medications, the cost of Rinvoq can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.

It’s important to note that you may have to get Rinvoq at a specialty pharmacy. This type of pharmacy is authorized to carry specialty medications. These are drugs that may be expensive or may require help from healthcare professionals to use them safely and effectively.

Your insurance plan may require you to get prior authorization before approving coverage for Rinvoq. This means that your doctor and insurance company must communicate about your prescription before the insurance company will cover the drug. The insurance company will review the prior authorization request and decide whether the drug will be covered.

If you’re unsure whether you’ll need to get prior authorization for Rinvoq, contact your insurance company.

Financial and insurance assistance

Here are a few tips for saving on the price of Rinvoq:

  • Comparing pharmacies: The price of Rinvoq may vary by pharmacy, so it can help to compare prices to find the lowest cost.
  • Drug coupons: You may be able to find drug coupons on prescription discount websites that can reduce the cost of your medication. These coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits, but the discounted price may be lower than what you would pay through insurance.
  • Financial assistance: Some websites provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services. Two such websites are:

There are no known interactions between Rinvoq and alcohol.

However, alcohol may make certain side effects of Rinvoq worse or more likely to occur. Examples of these side effects include nausea and liver problems.

Alcohol may also worsen certain conditions that Rinvoq treats. For example, drinking alcohol can worsen ulcerative colitis symptoms.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much is safe to drink during your Rinvoq treatment.

Rinvoq can interact with live vaccines. It can also interact with other medications, certain supplements, and certain foods.

Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug works. Other interactions can increase side effects or make them more severe.

Learn more about Rinvoq interactions here.

Rinvoq and live vaccines

You should not get live vaccines during your Rinvoq treatment. With live vaccines, you receive an injection of a small amount of a virus or bacterium so your body can learn to fight it.

You should not get these vaccines while taking Rinvoq, as the drug may weaken your immune system. If this happens, your body cannot respond to the vaccine properly. This could make you sick.

Live vaccines you should avoid during your Rinvoq treatment include:

Before you start taking Rinvoq, talk with your doctor about whether you need any live vaccines. You and your doctor may decide to delay your Rinvoq treatment until after you’ve received any live vaccines you need.

Rinvoq and other medications

Here you’ll find examples of medications that can interact with Rinvoq. This section does not list all drugs that may interact with Rinvoq.

Before taking Rinvoq, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also, tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Rinvoq and strong CYP3A4 inhibitors

Taking Rinvoq with drugs that inhibit (slow down) the activity of an enzyme called CYP3A4 can increase the amount of Rinvoq in your body. (An enzyme is a protein that aids chemical changes in your body.) CYP3A4 helps your body break down drugs. When this process is slowed down, your risk of side effects from Rinvoq increases.

Examples of CYP3A4 inhibitors include:

Talk with your doctor if you’re taking any of these medications. Your doctor may choose to prescribe a drug other than Rinvoq to treat your condition.

Rinvoq and strong CYP3A4 inducers

Taking Rinvoq with medications that induce (speed up) the activity of an enzyme called CYP3A4 can decrease the amount of Rinvoq in your body. CYP3A4 helps your body break down drugs. When this process is sped up, Rinvoq may become less effective.

Examples of CYP3A4 inducers include:

  • antibiotics, such as rifampin (Rifadin) or rifabutin (Mycobutin)
  • anticonvulsants, such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), or phenytoin (Dilantin)
  • corticosteroids, such as dexamethasone
  • certain antiretrovirals, such as efavirenz or nevirapine

Talk with your doctor if you’re taking any of these drugs. Your doctor may prescribe a different drug to treat your condition, or they may adjust the dosage of your other medications.

Rinvoq, herbs, and supplements

Avoid taking Rinvoq with an herbal supplement called St. John’s wort, which some people take to help ease depression symptoms. Combining these can lower the level of Rinvoq in your body. This can make Rinvoq less effective.

Talk with your doctor if you take St. John’s wort. They may have you stop taking it during your Rinvoq treatment.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before using any other herbs or supplements while taking Rinvoq.

Rinvoq and foods

Eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice may increase the amount of Rinvoq in your body. This can make the side effects of the drug worse. You should avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice while taking Rinvoq.

You may wonder how Rinvoq compares with other medications that are prescribed for similar uses. Here, we briefly look at how Rinvoq and Dupixent are alike and different. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about how these two drugs compare.

Ingredients

The active ingredient in Rinvoq is upadacitinib, and the active ingredient in Dupixent is dupilumab.

Uses

These drugs are both approved to treat atopic dermatitis in certain adults and children. For this use, Rinvoq can be given to children ages 12 years and older, and Dupixent can be given to children ages 6 months and older.

In addition to atopic dermatitis, Rinvoq is approved to treat:

Dupixent is also approved to treat:

Forms

Rinvoq comes as an extended-release oral tablet. (Extended release means the drug is released in your body slowly over a period of time.) It is also available as an oral solution under the name Rinvoq LQ.

Dupixent is given as a subcutaneous injection using single-use prefilled syringes or prefilled pens.

Side effects

Rinvoq and Dupixent tend to cause different side effects. For more information, see the “Rinvoq side effects” section earlier and our Dupixent side effects article. You can also refer to the prescribing information for Rinvoq and Dupixent or talk with your doctor for details.

It’s important to note that Rinvoq has several boxed warnings, whereas Dupixent does not. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

You may wonder how Rinvoq compares with other medications that are prescribed for similar uses. Here we look at how Rinvoq and Xeljanz are alike and different. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about how these two drugs compare.

Ingredients

The active ingredient in Rinvoq is upadacitinib, and the active ingredient in Xeljanz is tofacitinib.

Uses

Rinvoq and Xeljanz are both approved to treat the following in adults:

In addition, both drugs are approved to treat polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children ages 2 years and older.

Rinvoq is also approved to treat:

Forms

Rinvoq comes as an extended-release oral tablet. (Extended release means the drug is released slowly over a certain period of time.) It is also available as an oral solution under the name Rinvoq LQ.

Xeljanz comes as an oral tablet. It’s available in immediate-release and extended-release forms. (Immediate release means the drug is released into the body right away.) This medication also comes as an oral solution.

Side effects

Rinvoq and Xeljanz share some side effects, but others differ. For more information, see the “Rinvoq side effects” section earlier and our Xeljanz side effects article. You can also refer to the prescribing information for Rinvoq and Xeljanz or talk with your doctor for details.

Both Rinvoq and Xeljanz have boxed warnings for cardiovascular problems, increased risk of death, serious infections, cancer, and blood clots. See “Side effect details” in the “Rinvoq side effects” section for details about Rinvoq’s boxed warnings.

Doctors prescribe Rinvoq and Humira for similar uses. Here we look at how these drugs are alike and different. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about how these two drugs compare.

Ingredients

The active ingredient in Rinvoq is upadacitinib, and the active ingredient in Humira is adalimumab.

Uses

Both Rinvoq and Humira are approved to treat the following conditions in adults:

Both drugs are also approved to treat polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children ages 2 years and older.

Individually, these drugs may be used to treat some of the listed conditions in children: Rinvoq is approved to treat PsA in children ages 2 years and older. Humira is approved to treat UC in children ages 5 years and older and Crohn’s disease in children ages 6 years and older.

Rinvoq is also approved to treat:

Humira is also approved to treat:

Forms

Rinvoq comes as an extended-release oral tablet. (Extended release means the drug is released in your body slowly over a period of time.) It is also available as an oral solution under the name Rinvoq LQ.

Humira is given as a subcutaneous injection. Humira comes in three forms: a single-use pen, a single-use prefilled syringe, and a single-use vial of liquid solution.

Side effects

Rinvoq and Humira share some side effects, but others differ. For more information, see the “Rinvoq side effects” section earlier and our Humira side effects article. You can also refer to the prescribing information for Rinvoq and Humira or talk with your doctor for details.

Rinvoq has a boxed warning for blood clots, cardiovascular problems, and increased risk of death. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). See “Side effect details” in the “Rinvoq side effects” section for details about Rinvoq’s boxed warnings.

Both Rinvoq and Humira have boxed warnings for cancer and serious infections.

You should take Rinvoq as directed by your doctor or another healthcare professional. It comes as an oral tablet that you swallow whole. It is also available as an oral solution called Rinvoq LQ, which doctors may prescribe for children.

If your child’s doctor prescribes Rinvoq LQ, you’ll give your child their dose using an oral syringe included with the prescription.

When to take

You can take Rinvoq at any time of day, but it’s best to take it at the same time each day.

If your child takes Rinvoq LQ, they’ll need to take a dose twice daily. Try to give their doses at the same time each day. Your child’s doctor can advise you on how much time to allow between doses.

To help make sure you do not miss a dose, try setting a reminder on your phone. A medication timer may be useful as well.

Note that with some extended-release oral tablets, such as Rinvoq, you may occasionally see tablet fragments in your stool. This is not unusual for extended-release oral tablets. (Extended release means the drug is released in your body slowly over a period of time.)

But let your doctor know if you’re seeing the drug in your stool regularly. This could be a sign that the drug is not breaking down properly in your body. In this case, your doctor may recommend switching treatments for your condition.

Taking Rinvoq with food

You can take Rinvoq with or without food.

Can Rinvoq be crushed, split, or chewed?

No, you should not crush, split, or chew Rinvoq tablets. You should swallow each tablet whole with a glass of water.

If you can become pregnant, are breastfeeding, or are using birth control, it’s important to consider whether Rinvoq is a safe choice for you.

It is not recommended to take Rinvoq during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If you or your partner can become pregnant, your doctor will suggest you use certain birth control options while taking Rinvoq.

Refer to our Rinvoq pregnancy, breastfeeding, and birth control article for more information on these topics. If you have additional questions, talk with your doctor.

Yes, Rinvoq is an immunosuppressant drug. It works by decreasing the activity of your immune system. This can reduce inflammation and relieve RA symptoms, such as joint pain and swelling.

Yes, you can get inactive vaccines while you’re taking Rinvoq. These vaccines do not contain any live viruses or bacteria. However, you should avoid getting live vaccines during treatment.

With live vaccines, you’re injected with a small amount of a live virus or bacterium so that your body can learn to fight it. You should not get these vaccines while taking Rinvoq, as the drug weakens your immune system. Your body will not respond properly to the live vaccine, and it may make you sick.

For examples of live vaccines to avoid while taking Rinvoq, see the “Rinvoq and live vaccines” section.

Examples of inactive vaccines that you can get during Rinvoq treatment include:

Before you begin taking Rinvoq, talk with your doctor about whether you need any live vaccines. You and your doctor may decide to delay your treatment until you’ve received any required live vaccines.

No, Rinvoq is not a biologic drug. Biologics are medications made from living organisms rather than chemicals.

Instead, Rinvoq is a nonbiologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD). It belongs to a class of drugs called JAK inhibitors.

Rinvoq works by decreasing the activity of your immune system cells. This can help reduce symptoms of the conditions Rinvoq is used to treat.

Some biologics are also used for the conditions Rinvoq treats. Talk with your doctor if you’re interested in taking a biologic drug for your condition.

This drug comes with a boxed warning and several precautions.

Boxed warning

This drug has boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Rinvoq has the following boxed warnings:

  • serious infections
  • cancer
  • blood clots
  • cardiovascular problems
  • increased risk of death

For more details on these warnings and how they may affect your Rinvoq treatment plan, talk with your doctor.

Precautions

Before taking Rinvoq, talk with your doctor about your health history. Rinvoq may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. These include:

Do not use more Rinvoq than your doctor recommends. For some drugs, doing so can lead to unwanted side effects or overdose.

What to do in case of overdose

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. You can also call Poison Help at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

Rinvoq (upadacitinib) is a prescription medication used to treat several long-term health problems caused by an overactive immune system. It is commonly used for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA), severe eczema, and ulcerative colitis (UC). Unlike some treatments that require a needle, Rinvoq is an easy-to-take daily pill. It works as a “JAK inhibitor,” which means it blocks the specific signals in your body that cause painful swelling and skin irritation.

While Rinvoq can help people feel much better, it does have risks to consider. Because it calms the immune system, it can make it easier for a person to get sick with an infection, such as a cold or the flu. Common side effects include coughs or upset stomachs, but more serious issues are rare. Most doctors will carefully review your medical history to ensure the benefits of Rinvoq outweigh its risks before prescribing treatment.

Disclaimer: While Medical News Today strives for factual, comprehensive, and current drug information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses. Learn more about our approach to content integrity.

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