Patient leaflet - Rinvoq 15 mg prolonged-release tablets
1. What Rinvoq is and what it is used for
Rinvoq contains the active substance upadacitinib. It belongs to a group of medicines called Janus kinase inhibitors. By reducing the activity of an enzyme called ‘Janus kinase’ in the body, Rinvoq lowers inflammation in the following diseases:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis
Axial spondyloarthritis
- Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis (AS, radiographic axial spondyloarthritis)
- Giant cell arteritis
- Atopic dermatitis
- Ulcerative colitis
- Crohn’s disease
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rinvoq is used to treat adults with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that causes inflamed joints. If you have moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis, you may first be given other medicines, one of which will usually be methotrexate. If these medicines do not work well enough, you will be given Rinvoq either alone or in combination with methotrexate to treat your rheumatoid arthritis.
Rinvoq can help to reduce pain, stiffness and swelling in your joints, reduce tiredness and it can slow down damage to the bone and cartilage in your joints. These effects can ease your normal daily activities and so improve your quality of life.
Psoriatic arthritis
Rinvoq is used to treat adults with psoriatic arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis is a disease that causes inflamed joints and psoriasis. If you have active psoriatic arthritis, you may first be given other medicines. If these medicines do not work well enough, you will be given RINVOQ either alone or in combination with methotrexate to treat your psoriatic arthritis.
Rinvoq can help to reduce pain, stiffness, and swelling in and around your joints, pain and stiffness in your spine, psoriatic skin rash, and tiredness, and it can slow down damage to the bone and cartilage in your joints. These effects can ease your normal daily activities and so improve your quality of life.
Axial spondyloarthritis (non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis)
Rinvoq is used to treat adults with axial spondyloarthritis. Axial spondyloarthritis is a disease that primarily causes inflammation in the spine. If you have active axial spondyloarthritis, you may first be given other medicines. If these medicines do not work well enough, you will be given Rinvoq to treat your axial spondyloarthritis.
Rinvoq can help to reduce back pain, stiffness, and inflammation in your spine. These effects can ease your normal daily activities and so improve your quality of life.
Giant cell arteritis
Rinvoq is used to treat adults with giant cell arteritis. Giant cell arteritis is a disease that causes inflammation of the blood vessels generally affecting the medium and large arteries in the head, neck, and arms.
Rinvoq can help to control the signs and symptoms of giant cell arteritis including headache, scalp tenderness, jaw pain, and tiredness. These effects can ease your normal daily activities and so improve your quality of life. Giant cell arteritis is often treated with medicines called steroids. They are usually effective, but can have side effects if used at high doses or if used for a long time. Reducing the steroid dose can also lead to a flare of giant cell arteritis. Adding Rinvoq to the treatment means that steroids can be used for a shorter time, while still controlling giant cell arteritis.
Atopic dermatitis
Rinvoq is used to treat adults and adolescents 12 years and older with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis, also known as atopic eczema. Rinvoq may be used with eczema medicines that you apply to the skin or it may be used on its own.
Taking Rinvoq can improve the condition of your skin, and reduce itching and flares. Rinvoq can help improve symptoms of pain, anxiety and depression that people with atopic dermatitis may have. Rinvoq can also help improve your sleep disturbance and overall quality of life.
Ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory disease of the large bowel. Rinvoq is used to treat adults with ulcerative colitis who did not respond well enough or did not tolerate previous therapy.
Rinvoq can help to reduce the signs and symptoms of the disease including bloody stools, abdominal pain and the need to rush to and the number of times you go to the toilet. These effects can enable your normal daily activities and reduce fatigue.
Crohn’s disease
Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory disease that may involve any part of the digestive tract, but most commonly affects the bowel. Rinvoq is used to treat adults with Crohn’s disease who did not respond well enough or did not tolerate previous therapy.
Rinvoq can help to reduce the signs and symptoms of the disease including the need to rush to and the number of times you go to the toilet, abdominal pain, and the inflammation of your intestinal lining. These effects can enable your normal daily activities and reduce fatigue.
2. What you need to know before you take Rinvoq
Do not take Rinvoq
if you are allergic to upadacitinib or any of the other ingredients
of this medicine (listed in section 6)
if you have a severe infection
(such as pneumonia or bacterial skin infection)
- if you have active tuberculosis (TB)
- if you have severe liver problems
if you are pregnant (see section Pregnancy, breast-feeding
and contraception)
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before and during treatment with Rinvoq if:
you have an infection or if you often get infections. Tell your doctor
if you get symptoms such as fever, wounds, feeling more tired than usual or dental problems as these can be signs of infection. Rinvoq can reduce your body’s ability to fight infections and may make an existing infection worse or increase the chance of you getting a new infection. If you have diabetes or are 65 years of age or older you may have an increased chance of getting infections.
you have had tuberculosis or have been in close contact with
someone with tuberculosis. Your doctor will test you for tuberculosis before starting Rinvoq and may retest during treatment
you have had a herpes zoster infection (shingles), because Rinvoq
may allow it to come back. Tell your doctor if you get a painful skin rash with blisters as these can be signs of shingles
- you have ever had hepatitis B or C
you have recently had or plan to have a vaccination (immunisation)
- this is because live vaccines are not recommended while using Rinvoq
you have or had in the past cancer, smoke or have smoked in
the past, because your doctor will discuss with you if Rinvoq is appropriate for you
Non-melanoma skin cancer has been observed in patients taking
Rinvoq. Your doctor may recommend that you have regular skin examinations while taking Rinvoq. If new skin lesions appear during or after therapy or if existing lesions change appearance, tell your doctor.
have, or have had, heart problems, because your doctor will discuss
with you if Rinvoq is appropriate for you
- your liver does not work as well as it should
you have previously had blood clots in the veins of your legs
(deep vein thrombosis) or lungs (pulmonary embolism) or have an increased risk for developing this (for example: if you had recent major surgery, if you use hormonal contraceptives\hormonal replacement therapy, if a blood clotting disorder is identified in you or your close relatives). Your doctor will discuss with you if Rinvoq is appropriate for you. Tell your doctor if you get sudden shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chest pain or pain in upper back, swelling of the leg or arm, leg pain or tenderness, or redness or discolouration in the leg or arm as these can be signs of blood clots in the veins
you experience sudden changes to your eyesight. You should seek
medical advice straight away if you have sudden symptoms such as blurry vision, partial or complete loss of vision, as these may be a sign of blocked blood flow in the eyes
- you have kidney problems
you have unexplained stomach (abdominal) pain, have or have had
diverticulitis (painful inflammation of small pockets in the lining of your intestine) or ulcers in your stomach or intestines, or are taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines
- you repeatedly see a tablet or tablet pieces in your stool.
If you notice any of the following serious side effects, tell a doctor straight away:
symptoms such as a rash (hives), trouble breathing, or swelling
of your lips, tongue, or throat, you may be having an allergic reaction. Some people taking Rinvoq had serious allergic reactions. If you have any of these symptoms during treatment with Rinvoq, stop taking Rinvoq and get emergency medical help straight away
severe stomach pain especially accompanied by fever, nausea,
and vomiting.
Blood tests
You will need blood tests before you start taking Rinvoq, or while you are taking it. This is to check for a low red blood cell count (anaemia), low white blood cell count (neutropenia or lymphopenia), high blood fat (cholesterol) or high levels of liver enzymes. The tests are to check that treatment with Rinvoq is not causing problems.
Elderly
There is a higher rate of infection in patients aged 65 years of age and older. Tell your doctor as soon as you notice any signs or symptoms of an infection.
Patients 65 years of age and older may be at increased risk of infections, heart problems including heart attack, and some types of cancer. Your doctor will discuss with you if Rinvoq is appropriate for you.
Children and adolescents
Rinvoq is not recommended for use in children under 12 years of age or adolescents weighing less than 30 kg with atopic dermatitis. This is because it has not been studied in these patients.
Rinvoq is not recommended for use in children and adolescents under 18 years of age with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis (non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis), ulcerative colitis, or Crohn’s disease. This is because it has not been studied in this age group.
Other medicines and Rinvoq
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. This is because some medicines may reduce how well Rinvoq works or may increase the risk of getting side effects. It is very important to talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following:
medicines to treat fungal infections (such as itraconazole,
posaconazole or voriconazole)
- medicines to treat bacterial infections (such as clarithromycin)
medicines to treat Cushing’s syndrome (such as ketoconazole)
- medicines to treat tuberculosis (such as rifampicin)
- medicines to treat seizures or fits (such as phenytoin)
medicines that affect your immune system (such as azathioprine,
6-mercaptopurine, ciclosporin and tacrolimus)
- medicines that may increase your risk of gastrointestinal perforation or diverticulitis such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (usually used to treat painful and/or inflammatory conditions of muscle or joints), and/or opioids (used to treat severe pain), and/or corticosteroids (usually used to treat inflammatory conditions).
- medicines to treat diabetes or if you have diabetes. Your doctor may decide if you need less anti-diabetic medicine while taking upadacitinib.
If any of the above apply to you or you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Rinvoq.
Rinvoq with food and drink
Avoid food or drink containing grapefruit during treatment with Rinvoq as these may increase the risk of side effects by increasing the amount of upadacitinib in your body.
Pregnancy, breast-feeding and contraception
Pregnancy
Rinvoq must not be used during pregnancy.
Breast-feeding
If you are breast-feeding or are planning to breast-feed, talk to your doctor before taking this medicine. You should not use Rinvoq while breast-feeding as it is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. You and your doctor should decide if you will breast-feed or use Rinvoq. You should not do both.
Contraception
If you are a woman of child-bearing potential, you must use effective contraception to avoid becoming pregnant while taking Rinvoq and for at least 4 weeks after your last dose of Rinvoq. If you become pregnant during this time, you must talk to your doctor straight away.
If your child has her first menstrual period while taking Rinvoq, you should inform the doctor.
Driving and using machines
Do not drive or use machines if you experience dizziness or a spinning sensation (vertigo) when taking Rinvoq until they resolve.
3. How to take Rinvoq
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
How much to take
If you have rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis (non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis), or giant cell arteritis
The recommended dose is one 15 mg tablet once a day.
If you have atopic dermatitis
Adults (from 18 to 64 years of age):
The recommended dose is 15 mg or 30 mg as prescribed by your doctor, as one tablet once a day. Your doctor may increase or decrease your dose depending on how you respond to the medicine.
Elderly:
If you are 65 years of age or older, the recommended dose is 15 mg once a day.
Adolescents (from 12 to 17 years of age) weighing at least 30 kg: The recommended dose is one 15 mg tablet once a day. Your doctor may increase your dose to one 30 mg tablet once a day depending on how you respond to the medicine.
If you have ulcerative colitis
The recommended dose is one 45 mg tablet once a day for 8 weeks. Your doctor may decide to extend the initial 45 mg dose for another 8 weeks (for 16 weeks total). This will be followed by one 15 mg or one 30 mg tablet once a day for your long-term treatment. Your doctor may increase or decrease your dose depending on how you respond to the medicine.
Elderly:
If you are 65 years of age or older, the recommended dose is 15 mg once a day for your long-term treatment.
Your doctor may reduce your dose if you have kidney problems, or you are prescribed certain other medicines.
If you have Crohn’s disease
The recommended dose is one 45 mg tablet once a day for 12 weeks. This will be followed by one 15 mg or one 30 mg tablet once a day for your long-term treatment. Your doctor may increase or decrease your dose depending on how you respond to the medicine.
Elderly:
If you are 65 years of age or older, the recommended dose is 15 mg once a day for your long-term treatment.
Your doctor may reduce your dose if you have kidney problems, or you are prescribed certain other medicines.
How to take
- Swallow the tablet whole with water. Do not split, crush, chew or break the tablet before swallowing as it may change how much medicine gets into your body.
- To help you remember to take Rinvoq, take it at the same time every day.
- The tablets can be taken with or without food.
If you take more Rinvoq than you should
If you take more Rinvoq than you should, contact your doctor. You may get some of the side effects listed in section 4. If you forget to take Rinvoq
- If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember.
If you forget your dose for an entire day, just skip the missed
dose and take only a single dose as usual the following day.
- Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten tablet.
If you stop taking Rinvoq
Do not stop taking Rinvoq unless your doctor tells you to stop taking it.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Serious side effects
Talk to your doctor or get medical help straight away if you get any signs of:
infection such as shingles or painful skin rash with blisters
(herpes zoster) – common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
infection of the lung (pneumonia), which may cause shortness
of breath, fever, and a cough with mucus – common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
infection in the blood (sepsis) – uncommon (may affect up to
1 in 100 people)
allergic reaction (chest tightness, wheezing, swelling of the lips,
tongue or throat, hives) – uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
Other side effects
Talk to your doctor if you notice any of the following side effects:
Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)
- throat and nose infections
- acne
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
- non-melanoma skin cancer
- cough
- fever
- cold sores (herpes simplex)
- feeling sick in the stomach (nausea)
- increase in an enzyme called creatine kinase, shown by blood tests
- low white blood cell counts shown in blood tests
increased levels of cholesterol (a type of fat in the blood)
as shown in tests
increased levels of liver enzymes, shown by blood tests
(sign of liver problems)
- weight gain
- inflammation (swelling) of the hair follicles
- flu (influenza)
- anaemia
- pain in your belly (abdomen)
- fatigue (feeling unusually tired and weak)
- headache (headache was very common in giant cell arteritis)
- hives (urticaria)
- urinary tract infection
- rash
- a spinning sensation (vertigo)
- dizziness
- infection of the lungs (bronchitis)
- swelling of the feet and hands (peripheral oedema)
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
- thrush in the mouth (white patches in the mouth)
increased levels of triglycerides (a type of fat) in the blood,
as shown in tests
diverticulitis (painful inflammation of small pockets in the lining
of your intestine)
- gastrointestinal perforation (a hole in the bowel)
Additional side effects in adolescents with atopic dermatitis
Common
- warts (skin papilloma)
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via:
United Kingdom
Yellow Card Scheme
Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Rinvoq
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the blister and carton after ‘EXP’.
This medicine does not require any special temperature storage conditions.
Store in the original blister in order to protect from moisture.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
If the medicine becomes discolored or shows any other signs of deterioration, you should seek the advice of your pharmacist who will tell you what to do.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Rinvoq contains
The active substance is upadacitinib.
Rinvoq 15 mg prolonged-release tablets
- Each prolonged-release tablet contains upadacitinib hemihydrate, equivalent to 15 mg upadacitinib.
The other ingredients are:
- Core tablet: microcrystalline cellulose, mannitol, tartaric acid, hypromellose, silica colloidal anhydrous, magnesium stearate.
- Film coating: poly(vinyl alcohol), macrogol, talc, titanium dioxide (E171), iron oxide red (E172), iron oxide black (E172).
Rinvoq 30 mg prolonged-release tablets
- Each prolonged-release tablet contains upadacitinib hemihydrate, equivalent to 30 mg upadacitinib.
The other ingredients are:
- Core tablet: microcrystalline cellulose, mannitol, tartaric acid, hypromellose, silica colloidal anhydrous, magnesium stearate.
- Film coating: poly(vinyl alcohol), macrogol, talc, titanium dioxide (E171), iron oxide red (E172).
What Rinvoq looks like and contents of the pack
Rinvoq 15 mg prolonged-release tablets
Rinvoq 15 mg prolonged-release tablets are purple, oblong, biconvex tablets imprinted on one side with ‘a15’.
The tablets are provided in blisters.
Rinvoq is available in packs containing 28 prolonged-release tablets. Each calendar blister contains 7 tablets.
Rinvoq 30 mg prolonged-release tablets
Rinvoq 30 mg prolonged-release tablets are red, oblong, biconvex tablets imprinted on one side with ‘a30’.
The tablets are provided in blisters.
Rinvoq is available in packs containing 28 prolonged-release tablets. Each calendar blister contains 7 tablets.
Manufacturer
AbbVie S.r.l.
S.R. 148 Pontina, km 52 SNC
04011 Campoverde di Aprilia (Latina)
Italy
or
AbbVie Logistics B.V.
Zuiderzeelaan 53
Zwolle, 8017 JV
Netherlands
Procured from within the EU and repackaged for the PL Holder:
Abacus Medicine Ltd., Abbey House, 282 Farnborough Road, Farnborough, GU14 7NA, United Kingdom
Rinvoq 15 mg prolonged-release tablets
PL 45763/0981
Rinvoq 30 mg prolonged-release tablets
PL 45763/1028
Rinvoq® is a registered trademark of AbbVie Biotechnology Ltd
For any information about this medicine, please contact the local representative of the Product Licence Holder:
Abacus Medicine Ltd.
tel: +44(0)2036301244
email: MedInfo@abacusmedicine.co.uk or drugsafetyuk@abacusmedicine.co.uk
This leaflet was last revised on 11.11.2025
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