Drug interactions
Cortisone + Tofacitinib
Severity: Moderate
Cortisone and Tofacitinib: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Systemic corticosteroids are commonly combined with tofacitinib, but both suppress immunity and together increase infection risk. Higher steroid doses add more risk.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cortisone and Tofacitinib can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Why it happens
Additive immunosuppression from glucocorticoid action and JAK inhibition.
What to do
Keep the corticosteroid at the lowest effective dose, ideally no more than low-dose prednisone equivalent, and monitor for infection. Taper steroids when disease control allows.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Tofacitinib
- Baricitinib + Tofacitinib Contraindicated
- Cladribine + Tofacitinib Contraindicated
- Tofacitinib + Upadacitinib Contraindicated
- Abatacept + Tofacitinib Major
- Anti-thymocyte + Tofacitinib Major
- Antithymocyte globulin equine + Tofacitinib Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cortisone with Tofacitinib?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cortisone and Tofacitinib can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Systemic corticosteroids are commonly combined with tofacitinib, but both suppress immunity and together increase infection risk. Higher steroid doses add more risk.
How serious is the interaction between Cortisone and Tofacitinib?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Keep the corticosteroid at the lowest effective dose, ideally no more than low-dose prednisone equivalent, and monitor for infection. Taper steroids when disease control allows.
What other medicines interact with Tofacitinib?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Tofacitinib with, for example, Baricitinib, Cladribine, Upadacitinib. The full list is on the Tofacitinib page.
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