Consider Rinvoq

RINVOQ (upadacitinib) is a once-daily tablet for the treatment of moderate to severe Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

If your current RA treatment isn't relieving your joint pain and swelling, RINVOQ® may help

With just one tablet every day, RINVOQ® may reduce symptoms of moderate to severe RA.

How does RINVOQ® relieve RA symptoms?

RINVOQ® helps to reduce joint pain and swelling, slow down and protect against further joint damage in adults with moderate to severe Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Woman woodworking

Who may RINVOQ® help?

For some people with Rheumatoid Arthritis, treatment with the medicines listed below may not be enough to relieve symptoms like joint pain, stiffness and swelling:

  • Analgesics
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • Corticosteroids
  • Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) such as methotrexate
  • Biologicals

Therefore, activities like preparing meals, getting dressed and running errands can be difficult and painful. RINVOQ® may help reduce joint damage and symptoms and help you get back to carrying out your normal daily activities.

RINVOQ packaging

RINVOQ® is available for the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis in New Zealand

RINVOQ® is only available with a prescription, so if you are still experiencing symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis despite your current treatment, consult your rheumatologist to see if RINVOQ® is right for you.

RINVOQ® is fully subsidised under Special Authority for the treatment of eligible patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Your specialist will discuss whether RINVOQ® is right for you. Usual doctor's consultation fees and pharmacy prescription charges will be payable by you.

RINVOQ® clinical trial results for RA

The efficacy and safety of RINVOQ® was assessed in 5 randomised, double-blind clinical trials involving 2,630 patients with moderate to severe Rheumatoid Arthritis. The primary measure evaluated across these trials was the ACR20 response#.

Collectively, these trials concluded that, compared to placebo group, a greater percentage of patients who received RINVOQ® (some patients took methotrexate, some did not) achieved significant improvement in their RA symptoms (as demonstrated by the ACR20# response) after 12 weeks.
 

#ACR20 is a standard measure used in clinical trials to assess how much a treatment improves a patient's RA. It also assesses and establishes improvement in tender and painful joint counts, as well as improvement in the following parameters: 1. laboratory test results of joint inflammation, 2. patients' own assessment of their progress, 3. doctors' assessment of patients' progress, 4. patient-reported pain scale, and 5. functionality questionnaire. An ACR20 response means a treatment has resulted in a 20% improvement in the number of tender and number of swollen joints, and a 20% improvement in 3 of the 5 parameters above.

Frequently Asked Questions about RINVOQ®

How long does RINVOQ® take to work?

RINVOQ® may start working in as quickly as one week for some patients to help relieve RA pain, swelling and stiffness. Many patients showed improvement in their RA symptoms at 12 weeks. Some patients may not respond within these timeframes. You'll need to be patient and stay on track with your dosing schedule.

How long will RINVOQ®’s benefit last?

Many patients maintained the improvement up to 3 years. Results from 2 clinical trials involving over 2,000 patients also showed RINVOQ® may slow down the progression of joint damage in RA seen on X-ray

Will RINVOQ® cure my Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Unfortunately, currently there are no treatments available that can cure Rheumatoid Arthritis. RINVOQ® will not cure your condition but can help manage your symptoms.

What else can I do to take care of my disease besides taking medications?

To better manage your disease, it may be helpful to eat a healthy diet, get adequate rest and lose any excess weight. It's also a good idea to exercise regularly, which can help build strength, endurance and mobility. Many people find stress management beneficial, too. Always consult your doctor before beginning any diet or exercise programme.

What does this mean for me?

RINVOQ® helps to fight the joint pain, swelling and stiffness of moderate to severe RA in a once-daily pill. But to see how RINVOQ® could be a part of your treatment plan, you first have to discuss with your rheumatologist.

Get an inside look
at how RINVOQ®
works.

RINVOQ®’s mechanism of action.

References: 1. RINVOQ® Approved Consumer Medical Information. 2. RINVOQ® Approved New Zealand Data Sheet. 3. American College of Rheumatology Committee to Reevaluate Improvement Criteria. Arthritis Rheum. 2007;57(2):193-202. 4. Health Navigator website Rheumatoid Arthritis https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/health-a-z/r/rheumatoid-arthritis/ Accessed June 2023. 5. Health Navigator website - Medicines to treat rheumatoid arthritis https://healthify.nz/medicines-a-z/r/rheumatoid-arthritis-medicines Accessed June 2023. 6. PHARMAC - Decision to fund upadacitinib for rheumatoid arthritis to support the management of the tocilizumab stock shortage https://pharmac.govt.nz/news-and-resources/consultations-and-decisions/decision-2021-09-16-upadacitinib-funded-rheumatoid-arthritis/ Accessed June 2023. 7. Cohen SB, et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2020;80(3):304–11.

NZ-RNQR-210023. ABB2042. Date prepared June 2023.