Formulary
Filgotinib: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Filgotinib is a selective inhibitor of the Janus-associated tyrosine kinase JAK1.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Filgotinib: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Filgotinib is a selective inhibitor of the Janus-associated tyrosine kinase JAK1.
Drug action
Filgotinib is a selective inhibitor of the Janus-associated tyrosine kinase JAK1.
Indications and dose
**Rheumatoid arthritis (initiated by a specialist)**
- **Adult** (By Mouth): 200 mg once daily, a reduced dose of 100 mg once daily is recommended for patients with certain risk factors-consult product literature, for treatment interruption due to side-effects-consult product literature.
- **Elderly** (By Mouth): 100 mg once daily, for dose adjustments due to clinical response or treatment interruption due to side-effects-consult product literature.
**Ulcerative colitis (initiated by a specialist)**
- **Adult** (By Mouth): 65-74 years Initially 200 mg once daily for 10 weeks, if an adequate therapeutic response is not achieved after 10 weeks, the initial dose can be extended for an additional 12 weeks, discontinue treatment if no response after 22 weeks, for treatment interruption due to side-effects-consult product literature, then maintenance 100 mg once daily, for dose adjustments due to clinical response or treatment interruption due to side-effects-consult product literature.
Cautions
Elderly (65 years and older); history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or other cardiovascular risk factors; history of serious or opportunistic infection; infection (chronic or recurrent); predisposition to infection; risk factors for malignancy; risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE); risk of viral reactivation (consult product literature); tuberculosis exposure Cautions, further information Tuberculosis Anti-tuberculosis therapy should be initiated in patients with latent tuberculosis before starting filgotinib. Use filgotinib with caution in patients who have travelled or resided in areas of endemic tuberculosis or endemic mycoses, or who have had previous exposure to tuberculosis. M Immunisation Patients should receive all recommended vaccinations before starting treatment; live vaccines are not recommended immediately before, or during, treatment. M Venous thromboembolism If signs and symptoms of VTE occur during treatment, prompt discontinuation of filgotinib is recommended. M
Contraindications
Absolute lymphocyte count less than 0.5 x 10 9 cells/litre; absolute neutrophil count less than 1 x 10 9 cells/litre; haemoglobin less than 8 g/dL; serious infection (active); tuberculosis (active)
Side effects
Common or very common Dizziness; increased risk of infection; nausea Uncommon Hypercholesterolaemia; neutropenia Frequency not known Cardiovascular event; embolism and thrombosis; malignancy; non-melanoma skin cancer; reactivation of infections
Pregnancy
Avoid-toxicity in animal studies. M
Breast feeding
Avoid-no information available. M
Hepatic impairment
Avoid in severe impairment (no information available). M
Renal impairment
Caution in moderate or severe impairment; avoid in end-stage renal disease (no information available). M Dose adjustments A dose of 100 mg once daily is recommended in moderate or severe impairment. M
Medicinal forms
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
Inside MedNext for this topic
- 411 MedNext-authored chapters
- 80,000+ MCQ bank
- 15 study modes
- Growing visual cheat sheets
Study modes
- Notes
- MCQ
- Audio
- Video
- Visual
- 3D Anatomy
- Trace
- Flashcards
- Mnemonics
- Image Bank
- Clinical
- Microscopy
- Audio QBank
- Cadaver
- Book Match
Continue reading
Subject HubPharmacology Hub
All pharmacology resources in one place.
Drug SchedulesIndian Drug Schedules
Schedule H, H1, X and G classifications.
FormularyBrowse all drugs
Search 1,850+ drug profiles.
Study Filgotinib in the MedNext app
Challenge yourself with targeted pharmacology MCQs on this drug class. Every explanation links back to the chapter that teaches the concept.
Start drug challengeExplore the full formulary

