Rinvoq only comes in one strength….

[Hisue]

Asked the pharmacist why Rinvoq (tablet) is not prescribed in different strengths according to patient weight & she didn’t know. Also asked my MD who didn’t know either.

Anyone know why there is only one strength prescribed for everyone?

[helixhelix]

Many drugs have a wide “therapeutic index”, which basically means that it is safe to prescribe a one size dose as increasing the amount of drug per kg of person doesn’t cause toxicity.

Other drugs have to be titrated more carefully. So some of the biologcs for example cam’t be prescribed to people below 62kg. Others come in different dose sizes.

[Hisue in reply to helixhelix]

Thanks for the excellent explanation. But isn’t it possible I need 1 1/2 tabs?

[Pebblescat]

I think that all Jak inhibitors are one strength only. I’m about to start this drug and am a bit worried by the alert card. How are you finding it?

[Hisue in reply to Pebblescat]

Doing much better on Rinvoq than when on biologics, dmards, infusions.

[cyberbarn]

Because it is easier to do a 'one size fits all' than to do personalised care. It is the same with many drugs. What's worse, most drugs were tested on men rather than women. So what is a good dose for an average man might be too much for a women. And yes, for some drugs it doesn't matter, but think of the over all costs they could save if they had lower doses for smaller people.

[Hisue in reply to cyberbarn]

So true. In the USA, 30 Rinvoq tabs cost $8-10,000/month. Medicare RX insurance pays only 80%.

Medicare patients are ineligible for discount programs that private insurance patients can get!!!