Olumiant dosage: For RA, strengths, how to take, and more Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe Olumiant dosage guideMedically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, Pharm.D. — By Jen Seabright, PharmD — Updated on July 23, 2022 OverviewOlumiant (baricitinib) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to:treat moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis in adults in certain situationstreat severe alopecia areatatreat severe COVID-19 in the hospital, along with breathing assistance Olumiant comes as an oral tablet. It’s not available as a generic. Olumiant belongs to a class of medications known as Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. JAK inhibitors are part of a group of drugs known as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Dosage summary The following chart summarizes Olumiant’s dosage. Milligrams is abbreviated as mg. Your doctor will determine the dosage that’s best for you.Olumiant formOlumiant strengthsTypical dosageoral tablet1 mg, 2 mg, 4 mg• 2 mg per day for RA• 2 mg or 4 mg per day for alopecia areata• 4 mg per day for COVID-19 For information about the dosage of Olumiant, including its strengths and how to take the drug, keep reading. For a comprehensive look at Olumiant, including details about its uses, see this article. This article describes typical dosages for Olumiant provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Olumiant, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor. Olumiant dosage Here’s some information about Olumiant’s dosage. Olumiant form Olumiant comes as an oral tablet. If you have trouble swallowing tablets, Olumiant can be taken in other ways. This is most often done for severe COVID-19 treatment. See “How to take Olumiant” below for details. Olumiant strengths Olumiant is available in three strengths: 1 milligram (mg), 2 mg, and 4 mg. Typical dosage The following information describes the dosage that’s commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs. Dosage for rheumatoid arthritis The typical dosage of Olumiant for moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is 2 mg per day. Your doctor may prescribe Olumiant alone or in combination with certain disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for RA. An example of these DMARDs is methotrexate (Trexall, Otrexup). Olumiant is a type of DMARD. Dosage for alopecia areata Olumiant may be prescribed in a dosage of 2 mg per day or 4 mg per day for severe alopecia areata. If your doctor starts you on the 2-mg dose, they may raise your dose to 4 mg if the lower dose doesn’t work well enough. If you have complete or nearly complete hair loss on your scalp, your doctor may start your Olumiant treatment with a 4-mg dose. If the drug helps your hair grow, your dose might be lowered to 2 mg per day. Dosage for COVID-19 The recommended Olumiant dosage for severe COVID-19 treatment is 4 mg per day. Olumiant is given with breathing assistance, as part of in-hospital treatment for COVID-19. Long-term treatment Olumiant is meant to be used as a long-term treatment for alopecia areata and RA. If you and your doctor determine that Olumiant is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term. For COVID-19, Olumiant is taken for 14 days or until you are discharged from the hospital, whichever is sooner. Factors that can affect your dosage The Olumiant dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:your levels of white blood cellsyour level of hemoglobin (a type of protein in red blood cells)how well your kidneys are workinghow well your liver is workingif you take a type of drug called an organic anion transporter 3 (OAT3) inhibitor, such as probenecid (Probalan)which condition you’re taking Olumiant for and how severe it is Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Olumiant dosage. Dosage adjustments If you have moderate renal (kidney) problems, your doctor will likely decrease your dose of Olumiant to 1 milligram (mg). This is referred to as a renal dose. If you have severe kidney problems, your doctor will not likely recommend Olumiant. Missed dose If you miss a dose of Olumiant, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose as usual. You should not double up on doses to make up for a missed dose. Taking multiple doses at once can increase your risk of side effects. To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, 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. How to take Olumiant Olumiant comes as an oral tablet that you swallow. If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist. In some cases, Olumiant can be given in other ways besides swallowing the tablet. If recommended by your doctor, you can dissolve Olumiant tablets in water and drink the solution. After drinking it, you should swish some water around in the cup, and drink that water too. This is to make sure you swallow your whole prescribed dose. Follow the specific instructions from your doctor about how to do this. You should not crush Olumiant tablets unless your doctor recommends doing this. Healthcare professionals can also give Olumiant through a tube that’s placed in your stomach, mouth, or nose. This is typically done if needed for COVID-19 treatment. You‘ll take Olumiant once daily, with or without food. Try to take it at the same time every day. This helps keep a steady level of the drug in your body so Olumiant can work effectively.Accessible drug labels and containers If you’re having trouble reading your prescription label, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does. If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Olumiant in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles. Olumiant and overdose It’s important that you do not take more Olumiant than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to side effects or overdose. If you take more than the recommended amount of Olumiant Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Olumiant. Another option is to call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room. Takeaway and helpful resources The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Olumiant for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes for you. As with any drug, never change your dosage of Olumiant without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Olumiant that’s right for you, talk with your doctor. Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Olumiant. These additional articles might be helpful to you:More about Olumiant. For information about other aspects of Olumiant, refer to this article.Side effects. To learn about side effects of Olumiant, see this article. You can also look at Olumiant‘s prescribing information.Details about your condition. For details about rheumatoid arthritis, see our arthritis hub. These rheumatology articles may also be helpful. And for more information and updates on COVID-19, see our COVID-19 hub. Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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. Last medically reviewed on July 23, 2022Rheumatoid ArthritisRheumatologyFlu / Cold / SARSImmune System / VaccinesInfectious Diseases / Bacteria / VirusesPharmacy / PharmacistDrugsMedically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, Pharm.D. — By Jen Seabright, PharmD — Updated on July 23, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageWhich foods to eat and which to avoid for rheumatoid arthritisMedically reviewed by Lisa Hodgson, RDN, CDN, CDE There is no specific diet for rheumatoid arthritis. However, scientists believe that some foods may help ease the swelling that causes pain. Learn…READ MOREHow can I sleep with rheumatoid arthritis?Medically reviewed by Brenda B. 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