Dosage Details for Olumiant
If you have rheumatoid arthritis (RA), alopecia areata, or severe COVID-19, your doctor might suggest Olumiant as a treatment option for you.
Adults use a prescription drug called oohmiant.
- When certain drugs have not worked well enough.
- Alopecia areata is severe.
- The hospital treatment includes breathing assistance.
The active ingredient in Olumiant is baricitinib. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Olumiant belongs to a group of drugs called Janus kinase inhibitors.
This article describes the dosing of Olumiant, as well as its strengths and how to take the drug. To learn more about Olumiant, see this in-depth article.
Note: This article covers Olumiant’s usual dosages, which are provided by the drug’s manufacturer. But when taking Olumiant, always take the dosage that your doctor prescribes.
The information listed below has commonly recommended dosages.
What is Olumiant’s form?
You can swallow the tablets.
If you have trouble swallowing tablets, Olumiant can be taken in other ways. This is typically done for severe COVID-19 treatment. See “How is Olumiant taken?” below for details.
What strengths does Olumiant come in?
One gram, 2 grams, and 4 grams are the strengths of Olumiant.
What are the usual dosages of Olumiant?
The information below describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for rheumatoid arthritis
Olumiant’s recommended dosage for moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is 2 mg taken once per day.
You can be prescribed Olumiant by yourself or with other drugs.
Dosage for alopecia areata
Olumiant’s recommended dosage for severe alopecia areata is either 2 mg or 4 mg, taken once per day.
If you start with 2 grams, your doctor may increase your dose to 4 grams per day.
If you have complete or nearly complete hair loss on your head, your doctor may prescribe a higher dose of 4-mg. If you get a treatment that helps your hair grow back, your doctor might lower your dose.
You can be prescribed Olumiant by itself or with other medications.
Dosage for COVID-19
Olumiant’s recommended dosage for severe COVID-19 treatment in the hospital is 4 mg taken once per day. You’ll take the drug for 14 days or until you leave the hospital, whichever comes first.
For COVID-19 treatment, Olumiant is given along with breathing assistance, such as oxygen therapy.
Is Olumiant taken long term?
For both RA and Alopecia areata, Olumiant is usually prescribed. It is likely that you will take it for a long time if the drug works well and is safe for you.
If you are going to be discharged from the hospital first, you will be given Olumiant for 14 days.
Dosage adjustments
You may need to adjust your dosage. See below for more.
- Kidney disease. If you have moderate kidney disease, you may need a renal dose adjustment (a lower dosage of Olumiant). This is because your kidneys may not be working correctly, and Olumiant could build up in your body. This could raise your risk of side effects from Olumiant. If you have serious kidney disease, your doctor may suggest other medications that are safer for you to take.
- Low blood cell counts. While you take Olumiant, your doctor will monitor your immune system through blood tests. If certain blood cell counts get too low, your doctor may pause your treatment with Olumiant until your blood cell counts are back to usual levels.
- Certain other medications. If you’re taking certain medications that can interact with Olumiant, your doctor may prescribe a lower dosage of Olumiant. An example of a drug that could interact with Olumiant is the gout medication Probalan (probenecid).
Other medical conditions may affect your dosage. Talk to your doctor about what you want to know.
The Olumiant dosage may be affected by a number of factors. These include:
- You may be taking other medications.
- You may have other conditions that are not listed here.
- What condition you are taking Olumiant for.
You will take the pill by swallowing it. You can take the drug with or without food.
You can take it at any time of day, but you should take it at the same time each day. This helps keep the drug in your body in a consistent level.
If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips that may help. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist. In some cases, typically for COVID-19 treatment in the hospital, Olumiant can be given in other ways besides swallowing the tablet.
If your doctor approves, you can drink the solution and take the tablets out. After you drink the solution, you can also drink more water from the cup. This helps make sure you take your dose. Follow instructions from your doctor or healthcare professional to get rid of the tablets. If your doctor tells you to crush the tablets, you should.
Also, healthcare professionals can give Olumiant through a tube in your stomach, nose, or mouth. This might be needed for COVID-19 treatment. For information on Olumiant expiration, storage, and disposal, see this article.
Accessible drug containers and labels
“If you can’t read the prescription label on your medication, you should tell your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies may provide medication labels.”
- Large print or use of blind.
- You can use a code on a phone to change the text to sound.
“If your current pharmacy doesn’t offer accessibility features, your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend a new pharmacy.”
If you have trouble opening medication bottles, let your pharmacist know. They may be able to supply Olumiant in an easy-open container for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or alopecia areata treatment. Your pharmacist may also have some tips that can help make it simpler to open the drug’s container.
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If you have missed a dose, just take the next one at its regular time.
If you need help remembering to take your dose of Olumiant on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.
Do not take more than your doctor prescribes. Taking more than this can cause serious side effects.
What to do in case you take too much Olumiant
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Olumiant. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers, or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.
The dosages provided by the drug manufacturer are described in the sections above. If your doctor recommends it, they will prescribe the correct amount of the drug.
Remember, you should not change your dosage of Olumiant without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Olumiant exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.
Some questions you may want to ask your doctor.
- Is a lower dosage of Olumiant still effective?
- Will you reduce my dose if my condition improves?
- Does my risk of side effects increase with a higher dose of Olumiant?
For more information about conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and COVID-19, you could sign up for one of our newsletters. You can also find support and advice from our Bezzy RA community.
Q:
Is it possible for my doctor to change my Olumiant dosage based on lab test results?
Anonymous
A:
Yes, it’s possible. During your Olumiant treatment, your doctor will check how well your immune system is working with regular lab tests.
If your lab test results show any of the following, your doctor may lower your dose of Olumiant.
If necessary, your doctor will treat the condition. They may have you stop taking Olumiant and switch to another treatment.
Talk to your doctor about lab tests you need during your treatment and how they might affect your dosage.
The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
