Olumiant Use In Pregnancy & Lactation

Pregnancy: The JAK/STAT pathway has been shown to be involved in cell adhesion and cell polarity which can affect early embryonic development. There are no adequate data from the use of baricitinib in pregnant women. Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity (see Pharmacology: Toxicology: Preclinical safety data under Actions). Baricitinib was teratogenic in rats and rabbits. Animal studies indicate that baricitinib may have an adverse effect on bone development in utero at higher dosages.
Olumiant is contraindicated during pregnancy (see Contraindications). Women of childbearing potential have to use effective contraception during and for at least 1 week after treatment. If a patient becomes pregnant while taking Olumiant the parents should be informed of the potential risk to the foetus.
Breast-feeding: It is unknown whether baricitinib/metabolites are excreted in human milk. Available pharmacodynamic/toxicological data in animals have shown excretion of baricitinib in milk (see Pharmacology: Toxicology: Preclinical safety data under Actions).
A risk to newborns/infants cannot be excluded and Olumiant should not be used during breast-feeding. A decision must be made whether to discontinue breast-feeding or to discontinue Olumiant therapy taking into account the benefit of breast-feeding for the child and the benefit of therapy for the woman.
Fertility: Studies in animals suggest that treatment with baricitinib has the potential to decrease female fertility while on treatment, but there was no effect on male spermatogenesis (see Pharmacology: Toxicology: Preclinical safety data under Actions).