baricitinib

[gradyjackjacob]

I,ve been taking baricitinib 4 mg for the past fifteen months ,since then I,ve had one chest infection and five water infections,has anyone else had these problems since taking this drug.

[Liberty43]

Hi. I am taking 2mg baricitinib and also have bronchiectasis. If l have a chest infection requiring antibiotics l have to stop taking the baricitinib until infection has cleared up. Understand that to keep taking it would make chest infection worse. I have had no chest infection requiring ab since but am on a prophylactic azithromycin 3 times a week. At the moment l have a water infection but it is the first time. Been taking baricitinib about the same time as you. I do not think the present water infection is down to the Biologic, at least l hope not. Sounds awful for you to have so many uti. If you take antibiotic for them do you stop taking baricitinib?

[gradyjackjacob in reply to Liberty43]

Thank you for your reply I,ve been on five courses of antibiotics within the last year and was never told by any of the doctors who prescribed them to stop taking the baricitinib.If I get another water infection I think I will ring the rheumatoid helpline and ask them their opinion.Thank you for your useful reply.

[Liberty43 in reply to gradyjackjacob]

Yes, really think you should speak to the rheumatology nurse. Baricitinib has made my life so much better. As l get my biologic from hospital the pharmacy has no idea l am taking them. Hope you get sorted soon. I am going to doc today for the uti but if l get an antibiotic l will stop baricitinib.

[RAexperiences in reply to gradyjackjacob]

The leaflet which comes with it mentions urinary tract infections as a possibility. When I first started it I found my urine buned. Seems to have settled down though. Because of that risk I try to drink a lot of water to fish myself out and I take cranberry capsules. That sounds miserable. Hope it resolves for you

[sylvi]

I was taken of it at Christmas due to side effects.xx

[gradyjackjacob in reply to sylvi]

Thank you for your reply,what kind of side effects were you getting.

[sylvi in reply to gradyjackjacob]

Breathing problems darling.xxxx

[wishbone in reply to sylvi]

Dam it Sylvi, I didn't know that!

[sylvi in reply to wishbone]

I am still suffering breathing problems.xxx

[wishbone in reply to sylvi]

Sorry to hear that. Baricitinib does seem to cause its fair share of respiratory issues.

[sylvi in reply to wishbone]

I had a chest infection two weeks ago and only finished the antibiotics last Tuesday and I am still suffering..xxx

[wishbone in reply to sylvi]

Getting a chest infection with my lung condition is a big concern for me.

Hope you improve soon.

[sylvi in reply to wishbone]

I am going to the drs when we get back from the hospital. Hubby has a appt. at four and then it will be to the drs. at five.xxx

[wishbone in reply to sylvi]

Hope things are alright for the both of you.

[sylvi in reply to wishbone]

Had to cancel my apt. as consultant was so far behind we have only just got home.xxx

[wishbone in reply to sylvi]

That's a pain, but can't be helped I suppose. Hope you didn't have to travel far.

[sylvi in reply to wishbone]

No I didn't it was in Nuneaton and we live in Bulkington so it is no more than four miles away.xxxx

[wishbone]

I've been taking 2mg for getting on 18 months. No chest infections to date, fortunately because I have a serious lung condition. I did have a nasty sinus infection a few months ago, which I suspect was due to baricitinib, but the worst of that has cleared though some low grade sinusitis remains.

I'm a male so perhaps not an ideal comprison, but for what it's worth....I have a bladder condition which makes me prone to UTIs. Had a rough time of it a few years back with a spate of UTIs, two of which turned serious. On a more positive note, I've not had a single UTI for 3 years. If I should pick up any type of infection, no matter how insignificant it seems, then I have to stop taking baricitinib. The main reason my rheumy put me on baricitinib is because it leaves the body much quicker than other meds, within a couple of days apparently, if I need to stop it due to an infection.

[Mmrr]

I kept getting repeat viral and fungal infections when on 4 mgs and then 4mgs /2mgs on alternate days of baricitinib. I'm now on 2 mgs alternative days and doing better.

It is important to stop baricitinib whilst you have an infection.

Rheumatology are the best people to help, your GP most probably will not know much about JAK inhibitors.

[Javea]

I have had chest and urinary infections and like you was told not to take antibiotics while on the drug. However, my RA is much better so think that the side effects are worth the problems.