Hypersensitivity : Serious reactions have been reported. Discontinue OLUMIANT if a serious hypersensitivity reaction occurs. Gastrointestinal Perforations : Monitor patients who may be at increased risk and evaluate promptly new onset of abdominal symptoms. Laboratory Abnormalities : Monitor for changes in lymphocytes, neutrophils, hemoglobin, liver enzymes, and lipids. Vaccinations : Avoid use with live vaccines. 5.1 Serious Infections Serious and sometimes fatal infections due to bacterial, mycobacterial, invasive fungal, viral, or other opportunistic pathogens have been reported in patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving OLUMIANT. The most common serious infections reported with OLUMIANT included pneumonia, herpes zoster, and urinary tract infection . Among opportunistic infections, tuberculosis, multidermatomal herpes zoster, esophageal candidiasis, pneumocystosis, acute histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, cytomegalovirus, and BK virus were reported with OLUMIANT. Some patients have presented with disseminated rather than localized disease, and were often taking concomitant immunosuppressants such as methotrexate or corticosteroids. Avoid use of OLUMIANT in patients with an active, serious infection, including localized infections. Consider the risks and benefits of treatment prior to initiating OLUMIANT in patients: with chronic or recurrent infection who have been exposed to tuberculosis with a history of a serious or an opportunistic infection who have resided or traveled in areas of endemic tuberculosis or endemic mycoses; or with underlying conditions that may predispose them to infection. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis or alopecia areata, closely monitor for the development of signs and symptoms of infection during and after treatment with OLUMIANT. Interrupt OLUMIANT in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or alopecia areata, if the patient develops a serious infection, an opportunistic infection, or sepsis. A patient who develops a new infection during treatment with OLUMIANT should undergo prompt and complete diagnostic testing appropriate for an immunocompromised patient; appropriate antimicrobial therapy should be initiated, the patient should be closely monitored, and OLUMIANT should be interrupted if the patient is not responding to therapy. Do not resume OLUMIANT until the infection is controlled. In patients with COVID-19, monitor for signs and symptoms of new infections during and after treatment with OLUMIANT. There is limited information regarding the use of OLUMIANT in patients with COVID-19 and concomitant active serious infections. The risks and benefits of treatment with OLUMIANT in COVID-19 patients with other concurrent infections should be considered. Tuberculosis Evaluate patients for active infection prior to administration of OLUMIANT. OLUMIANT should not be given to patients with active TB. Test patients with rheumatoid arthritis or alopecia areata for latent tuberculosis. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis or alopecia areata and latent tuberculosis (TB) should be treated with standard antimycobacterial therapy before initiating OLUMIANT. Consider anti-TB therapy prior to initiation of OLUMIANT in patients with a history of latent or active TB in whom an adequate course of treatment cannot be confirmed, and for patients with a negative test for latent TB but who have risk factors for TB infection. Consultation with a physician with expertise in the treatment of TB is recommended to aid in the decision about whether initiating anti-TB therapy is appropriate for an individual patient. During OLUMIANT use, monitor patients for the development of signs and symptoms of TB, including patients who tested negative for latent TB infection prior to initiating therapy. Viral Reactivation Viral reactivation, including cases of herpes virus reactivation (e.g., herpes zoster), were reported in clinical studies with OLUMIANT. If a patient develops herpes zoster, interrupt OLUMIANT treatment until the episode resolves. The impact of OLUMIANT on chronic viral hepatitis reactivation is unknown. Patients with evidence of active hepatitis B or C infection were excluded from clinical trials. In clinical trials in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or alopecia areata, patients who were positive for hepatitis C antibody but negative for hepatitis C virus RNA were permitted to enroll. Patients with positive hepatitis B surface antibody and hepatitis B core antibody, without hepatitis B surface antigen, were permitted to enroll; such patients should be monitored for expression of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA. Should HBV DNA be detected, consult with a hepatologist. Perform screening for viral hepatitis in accordance with clinical guidelines before starting therapy with OLUMIANT
Mortality In a large, randomized, postmarketing safety study of another JAK inhibitor in RA patients 50 years of age and older with at least one cardiovascular risk factor, a higher rate of all-cause mortality, including sudden cardiovascular death, was observed in patients treated with the JAK inhibitor compared with TNF blockers. Consider the benefits and risks for the individual patient prior to initiating or continuing therapy with OLUMIANT
Malignancy and Lymphoproliferative Disorders Malignancies were observed in clinical studies of OLUMIANT . In a large, randomized, postmarketing safety study of another JAK inhibitor in RA patients, a higher rate of malignancies (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC)) was observed in patients treated with the JAK inhibitor compared to those treated with TNF blockers. A higher rate of lymphomas was observed in patients treated with the JAK inhibitor compared to those treated with TNF blockers. A higher rate of lung cancers was observed in current or past smokers treated with the JAK inhibitor compared to those treated with TNF blockers. In this study, current or past smokers had an additional increased risk of overall malignancies. Consider the benefits and risks for the individual patient prior to initiating or continuing therapy with OLUMIANT, particularly in patients with a known malignancy (other than successfully treated NMSC), patients who develop a malignancy, and patients who are current or past smokers. Non-melanoma skin cancers Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) have been reported in patients treated with OLUMIANT. Periodic skin examination is recommended for patients who are at increased risk for skin cancer
Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events In a large, randomized, postmarketing safety study of another JAK inhibitor in RA patients 50 years of age and older with at least one cardiovascular risk factor, a higher rate of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) defined as cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), and non-fatal stroke was observed with the JAK inhibitor compared to those treated with TNF blockers. Patients who are current or past smokers are at additional increased risk. Consider the benefits and risks for the individual patient prior to initiating or continuing therapy with OLUMIANT, particularly in patients who are current or past smokers and patients with other cardiovascular risk factors. Patients should be informed about the symptoms of serious cardiovascular events and the steps to take if they occur. Discontinue OLUMIANT in patients that have experienced a myocardial infarction or stroke
Thrombosis Thrombosis, including deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), has been observed at an increased incidence in patients treated with OLUMIANT compared to placebo. In addition, arterial thrombosis events in the extremities have been reported in clinical studies with OLUMIANT. Many of these adverse events were serious and some resulted in death. There was no clear relationship between platelet count elevations and thrombotic events. In a large, randomized, postmarketing safety study of another JAK inhibitor in RA patients 50 years of age and older with at least one cardiovascular risk factor, higher rates of overall thrombosis, DVT, and PE were observed compared to those treated with TNF blockers. If clinical features of DVT/PE or arterial thrombosis occur, patients should discontinue OLUMIANT and be evaluated promptly and treated appropriately. Avoid OLUMIANT in patients that may be at increased risk of thrombosis
Hypersensitivity Reactions such as angioedema, urticaria, and rash that may reflect drug hypersensitivity have been observed in patients receiving OLUMIANT, including serious reactions. If a serious hypersensitivity reaction occurs, promptly discontinue OLUMIANT while evaluating the potential causes of the reaction
Gastrointestinal Perforations Gastrointestinal perforations have been reported in clinical studies with OLUMIANT. Monitor OLUMIANT-treated patients who may be at increased risk for gastrointestinal perforation (e.g., patients with a history of diverticulitis). Evaluate promptly patients presenting with new onset abdominal symptoms for early identification of gastrointestinal perforation
Laboratory Abnormalities Neutropenia – Treatment with OLUMIANT was associated with an increased incidence of neutropenia (ANC less than 1000 cells/mm 3 ) compared to placebo. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis or alopecia areata, avoid initiation or interrupt OLUMIANT treatment in patients with an ANC less than 1000 cells/mm 3 . In patients with COVID-19, there is limited information regarding use of OLUMIANT in patients with ANC less than 1000 cells/mm 3 . Avoid initiation or interrupt OLUMIANT treatment in patients with COVID-19 and an ANC less than 500 cells/mm 3 . Evaluate at baseline and thereafter according to routine patient management. Adjust dosing based on ANC . Lymphopenia – ALC less than 500 cells/mm 3 were reported in OLUMIANT clinical trials. Lymphocyte counts less than the lower limit of normal were associated with infection in patients treated with OLUMIANT, but not placebo. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis or alopecia areata, avoid initiation or interrupt OLUMIANT treatment in patients with an ALC less than 500 cells/mm 3 . In patients with COVID-19, there is limited information regarding use of OLUMIANT in patients with ALC less than 200 cells/mm 3 . Avoid initiation or interrupt OLUMIANT treatment in patients with COVID-19 and an ALC less than 200 cells/mm 3 . Evaluate at baseline and thereafter according to routine patient management. Adjust dosing based on ALC . Anemia – Decreases in hemoglobin levels to less than 8 g/dL were reported in OLUMIANT clinical trials. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis or alopecia areata, avoid initiation or interrupt OLUMIANT treatment in patients with hemoglobin less than 8 g/dL. Evaluate at baseline and thereafter according to routine patient management. Adjust dosing based on hemoglobin levels . In patients with COVID-19, there is limited information regarding use of OLUMIANT in patients with hemoglobin less than 8 g/dL. Liver Enzyme Elevations – Treatment with OLUMIANT was associated with increased incidence of liver enzyme elevation compared to placebo. Increases of ALT ≥5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) and increases of AST ≥10 times the ULN were observed in patients in OLUMIANT clinical trials. Evaluate at baseline and thereafter according to routine patient management. Prompt investigation of the cause of liver enzyme elevation is recommended to identify potential cases of drug-induced liver injury. If increases in ALT or AST are observed and drug-induced liver injury is suspected, interrupt OLUMIANT until this diagnosis is excluded . Lipid Elevations – Treatment with OLUMIANT was associated with increases in lipid parameters, including total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Assessment of lipid parameters should be performed approximately 12 weeks following OLUMIANT initiation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or alopecia areata . Manage patients according to clinical guidelines for the management of hyperlipidemia
Vaccinations Avoid use of live vaccines with OLUMIANT. Update immunizations in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or alopecia areata prior to initiating OLUMIANT therapy in agreement with current immunization guidelines.