Good morning,
Has anybody seen their cholesterol become very high whilst being on Baricitinib? If so what was the outcome, did you continue to take it or stop it.
I’m waiting to hear from my Rheumy who is very good so I don’t know what he’ll advise but I’m hoping I’m not told to go onto Statins but I also don’t want to risk a stroke or heart attack.
Best wishes
My cholesterol rose almost as soon as I went onto Baricitinib and my GP had mild hysterics and prescribed statins immediately as per their protocols. I waited till I’d seen my consultant who wasn’t overly concerned as it was 5.7 overall. Haven’t taken the statins but certainly would if they insisted. I’m off Baricitinib as it stopped working but Filgotinib (another JAK) has had the same effect.
We’re more at risk for heart disease having RA and I’m still havering. Millions take statins and most people have absolutely no problems at all but for us it’s yet another drug to counteract the effects of the first one! I’ve always said if the disease doesn’t get you the drugs do!
See what your consultant says as he’s the only person to take any notice of.
I’m with you. Gp very concerned; I’m around 5.4. Rheumy relaxed. My ratio hdl/ldl is below 4 (good) and at 10 on the risk score I’m on the cut off point for statins. I refused them this week; bloods again in 6 months when I’m likely to have changed from Bari anyway. Gp also tried bullying me as whilst my ldl is below current guidelines; there’s a new lower requirement coming in. I’m also under investigations for palpitations but heart surgeon not spotted anything that’s causing him undue concern. Just annual echo and he states no evidence of furring up following an MRI.
I I agree Amne3637! My cholesterol didn’t need any help from drugs to shoot sky high. I felt absolutely fine…I didn’t smoke, wasn’t overweight & did a very strenuous job……& had no signs of RA….but a lot of the female members of my family had heart conditions….
I had no symptoms except my BP joined in the fun & in the end I think my GP at the time had a bit of a panic & referred me to a cardiologist….who prescribed statins….I’ve been on them now for around 35 years.
It did take a while to find the right statin…I did have the really dreadful muscle pains on the first tries, but ever since both BP & cholesterol have behaved….so what’s not to like?
barcitnib is known for raising cholesterol. I’m on statins and have had no problems. It still went up on statins I adjusted my diet and take a flaxseed supplement which reduced my cholesterol dramatically
I am on baritcitnib and I had raised after starting it with my cholesterol but now on statins as had a heart issue too. Sticking with Barcitnib for time being as only RA drug that has been ok to take so far.
My cholesterol rose with Baricitinib, minnow on Filgotinib with a cholesterol of 8.3 at the last reading. I've started statins.
Thanks everyone, appreciate your experience. Sounds likely it’s Baracitinib that’s caused the increase then. Mine is 8, never been above 5 before.
I’d rather not jump straight onto Statins because as Amnesiac says, it’s another drug to take. I’m throughly fed up!
Those of you on statins, any side effects? I know everyone is different but just out of interest. I don’t know anybody on them to ask.
I tried 3 and eventually put on Ezetimibe which has been brill and no side effects at all.
My baricitinib tablets sent my cholesterol up from 4.1 to 7.5. My GP said my blood work showed a fantastic improvement and suggested I stay on it and take statins. I was not happy with this but started them -six months on cholesterol back to 4.1. She also suggested I eat cherries to stave off gout. There’s a bit of the witch in my doc………!! Good luck 🤞🏻
I've been on Baricitinib (my magic pill!) for over 3 years now. I've been so happy with it that I would be very wary of having to stop it. In that time I've had 2 cholesterol tests showing my levels are raised - not sure the number exactly but think it's around 6. I've had the opposite experience in that my Rheumatologist was keen for me to take statins but my GP has advised that she thinks that it's borderline because of other positive factors (I'm very active, have never smoked, no family history of heart issues). So after discussion I've agreed that we just keep a watching brief on this. I'm only 63 and not keen on taking lots of pills as I worry about all the interaction but will be prepared to change my mind about statins in the future. Good luck whatever you decide.
My husband is on Baricitinb and his cholesterol shot up. He takes statins now as his diet already includes flaxseed etc . No problems with statins and he wouldn't part with his Baricitinb 😊
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