cas: 1206161-97-8 Filgotinib GPLG0634 What is filgotinib? Filgotinib, also known by the trade name Jyseleca, is a type of drug known as a JAK inhibitor. These drugs work by limiting the action of Janus kinase enzymes, which are involved in the inflammation that causes the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and some other conditions. Filgotinib isn’t a painkiller, but it can reduce the symptoms and limit the joint damage that could be caused by your condition. If filgotinib works for you, your symptoms should start to improve within the first 12 weeks after you start to take it, and possibly sooner. But you may not notice the full benefit for the first 6 months of treatment. Filgotinib won’t be started if: your condition isn’t active you haven’t tried other treatments for your condition first you have an infection. Before you’re prescribed filgotinib, doctors may use a scoring system to assess how many of your joints are painful or swollen and how you are feeling. This helps them work out how active your arthritis is. You’ll also need blood tests before treatment starts to see whether the drug is suitable for you. Your doctor will need to check if you’ve previously been exposed to tuberculosis (TB). Even if you don’t have symptoms, the bacteria that cause TB may still be present in the body, and you may need a course of treatment to deal with this before starting filgotinib. If you’ve ever had hepatitis you may need regular checks for this as filgotinib may increase the risk of the hepatitis coming back. Filgotinib is usually prescribed alongside methotrexate unless there are reasons why you can’t take methotrexate. However, it's recommended that filgotinib should not be used alongside other immunosuppressive or biologic drugs or other JAK inhibitors. Filgotinib is not recommended if you’re pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding. Your doctor may decide not to prescribe filgotinib if you’re taking certain other medicines, including statins and some drugs used to treat high blood pressure or heart problems, or if you’ve had or have any of the following conditions: shingles disease of the lungs, liver or kidneys heart problems, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or blood clots (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism) stomach ulcers cancer. How is it taken? Filgotinib is taken as a tablet once a day. Your doctor will advise on the dose for you. The tablets should be swallowed whole and taken with a glass of water, either with or without food. In some circumstances, your doctor may decide to alter the dose. Try to take your dose at the same time each day – if you’re late taking it, just take it as soon as you remember. If you miss your daily dose completely, carry on with the usual dose the next day – do not double it. If you take more than the recommended dose by mistake, contact your doctor straight away. Because it’s a long-term treatment, it’s important to keep taking filgotinib (unless you have severe side effects): even if it doesn’t seem to be working at first even when your symptoms improve (to help keep your condition under control). Your doctor may decide to stop filgotinib and try another treatment if your symptoms haven’t improved very much after 6 months.