According to the CDC, an estimated 3.1 million adults (1.3%) in the United States have been diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Although Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease can be managed, there is currently no cure. Many people with the complex condition are plagued by persistent inflammation of the lower intestine and pain.
Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease can affect people in different ways. For some the pain may be continuous, for others, it’s mild unless there’s a flare-up.
Some people with ulcerative colitis will find that it gradually develops, while others are hit with full force immediately. However, one drug is showing promise for those living with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
Inside the drug
Rinvoq (upadacitinib, AbbVie) was effective in treating Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, according to recent research. The pill works by stopping some of the activity of certain proteins found in your body. Janus kinase (JAK) proteins contribute to the overactivity of the immune system, which can lead to inflammation and damage the colon lining causing ulcerative colitis symptoms to appear.
AbbVie executives presented the study results at the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG)’s Annual Scientific Meeting, held October 21-26 in Charlotte, North Carolina, and virtually.
The study evaluated upadacitinib in adult patients with moderate to severe Crohn's disease who had an inadequate response or were intolerant to a conventional or biologic therapy, AbbVie said in a news release.
Crohn's disease patients were treated with either dose of upadacitinib (15 mg or 30 mg once daily).
Nearly half (49%) of patients treated with a 12-week induction regimen of upadacitinib 45 mg daily achieved clinical remission at week 12 compared to placebo (29%). Additionally, a significant 46% of patients treated with upadacitinib 45 mg achieved endoscopic response at week 12 compared to the placebo group (12%).
What's more, all patients involved in the study achieved... steroid-free clinical remission at week 52.
Upadacitinib was also effective in treating ulcerative colitis patients at a low maintenance dose of 30 mg or 15 mg for those with less severe disease, according to Brian Feagan, MD, gastroenterologist at the Division of Gastroenterology at Western University, in London, Ontario.
Researchers determined that clinical remission was sustained in at least 64% of patients over one year of maintenance treatment with upadacitinib 30 mg.
In patients under 65 years old, 26% more patients in the upadacitinib 30 mg group were in a less severe disease state versus the upadacitinib 15 mg group at Week 52 and those treated with 30 mg were in clinical remission for an additional 4.2 weeks over one year of maintenance compared with those treated with 15 mg.
“This study demonstrates the important clinical benefit of high dose upadacitinib as maintenance treatment in ulcerative colitis, especially among patients younger than 65 years,” Feagan said.
Is RINVOQ right for you?
RINVOQ and other medicines may affect each other and cause you to experience side effects.
You should notify your doctor of all the medicines you are currently taking, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Notify your doctor if you are taking any of the following medications:
- medicines for fungal infections (such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole or voriconazole) or clarithromycin (for bacterial infections) as these medicines may increase the amount of RINVOQ in your blood
- rifampicin (for bacterial infections) or phenytoin (for neurological disorders) as these medicines may decrease the effect of RINVOQ
- medicines that affect your immune system (such as azathioprine and cyclosporine) as these medicines may increase your risk of infection
If you aren't sure if you are taking any of these medicines, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
You should also refrain from taking RINVOQ if you are pregnant. Your doctor will check to make sure you aren't pregnant before you start RINVOQ. Contraception should be used to avoid becoming pregnant while taking RINVOQ and for at least 4 weeks after your last dose.
