Is baricitinib fast acting?

[mhlmom]

I started baricitinib 4mg daily one week ago. All the visible swelling in my hands has gone and I can make fist for the first time in 2 years. Does it work that quickly? Could this finally be the right med for me? I had anaphylaxis with anti-TNFs and Rituximab only helped my feet. I had started to think about the possibility that my hands would never function properly again but here I am, one week in, and even my displaced middle finger looks back to its normal location 😳😁

[helixhelix]

🎉 I think many of the biologics can, so JAK inhibitors could well be the same! When I started Enbrel rheumy said it could work overnight - or could take 12 weeks. (It took 13). But I was amazed at how much my hands improved too.

This could be the one! Don’t go bonkers and start spring cleaning the house, but enjoy gently.

[mhlmom in reply to helixhelix]

Hahaha. No fear of me doing that 🤣😂🤣

[Hidden]

Yep I noticed a difference in a week by week 6 I was sitting crossed legged on the floor. I’m 66 days in walking 3 miles a day at a good pace . I started in December. I was using walking aids and wearing wrists braces. Now they live in the spare room. Still have off days . Only problem I’ve got is GERD which has now become uncontrollable. Don’t want to stop it so will persevere will be so disappointed if I have to stop ... it’s a lovely feeling when things improve no matter how small.. hope things continue to improve x

[allanah]

Wow that's fab, technically I dont know but hey who cares , it's getting better 😂my TCZ did that, they said , maybe three month but one week later I was so much better, cross fingers ( if you could 😂)this is the one!!

[ketiv74]

That's great! I am happy its working for you and seems like you found "the One"!! Hope it keeps on working for long time to come.Good luck and take care.

And like Helix said up there, take it easy!

[Neonkittie17]

Great news! I have read and heard from someone who had a similar fast experience with starting Baricitinib. Sometimes anti TNFs can be fast too. Enbrel worked like a miracle within a few hours for me and I felt like pre RA and no stiffness, but stopped working after 5 weeks. Hope this freedom with your hands and the rest of you continues.

[mhlmom in reply to Neonkittie17]

I tried Benepali (an anti-TNF biosimilar) on my road to Baricitinib and it worked wonders within 2 days of the injection. It was soul destroying as I had suffered anaphalaxis within minutes of the injection (fortunately done in the hospital because of a previous similar reaction to another drug). But I thought with this being a tablet it would take weeks. I wouldn't say Im feeling 100% better but probably about 75% at the moment, which is just brilliant. Any advance on this would be a huge bonus.

[Neonkittie17]

Yes as Benepali is a biosimilar of Enbrel, I’m not surprised as they have been known to have some fast reactions both (good and not so.) Many people have taken it really well for years so .. we all respond differently. I also got a large, red, hot-angry reaction the size of a saucer on my leg after three weeks round the injection site that steroid cream wouldn’t shift so I was taken off it. It also started to wane too after 5 weeks and pains came back so it was a short experience. I would want to try Baricitinib if my current med Rituximab stops working but it’s doing great for the RA at present. Glad Baricitinib is working fast and well for you