Drug interactions
Upadacitinib + Ustekinumab
Severity: Major
Upadacitinib and Ustekinumab: major 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
Combining upadacitinib with a biologic immunosuppressant increases the risk of serious infections. Data on safety of the combination are limited.
What this interaction means in plain words
Upadacitinib and Ustekinumab can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Upadacitinib belongs to Musculoskeletal; Ustekinumab belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Additive immunosuppression via IL-12/23 inhibition and JAK inhibition.
What to do
Avoid concurrent use as advised in upadacitinib labeling. If combined under specialist care, monitor for infection and consider stopping at the first sign of serious infection.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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Other interactions of Ustekinumab
- Bcg vaccine live + Ustekinumab Contraindicated
- Typhoid vaccine live + Ustekinumab Contraindicated
- Adalimumab + Ustekinumab Major
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Ustekinumab Major
- Alefacept + Ustekinumab Major
- Anakinra + Ustekinumab Major
Other interactions of Upadacitinib
- Abrocitinib + Upadacitinib Contraindicated
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Upadacitinib Contraindicated
- Baricitinib + Upadacitinib Contraindicated
- Bcg vaccine live + Upadacitinib Contraindicated
- Cyclosporine + Upadacitinib Contraindicated
- Dengue vaccine + Upadacitinib Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Upadacitinib with Ustekinumab?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Upadacitinib and Ustekinumab can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Combining upadacitinib with a biologic immunosuppressant increases the risk of serious infections. Data on safety of the combination are limited.
How serious is the interaction between Upadacitinib and Ustekinumab?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid concurrent use as advised in upadacitinib labeling. If combined under specialist care, monitor for infection and consider stopping at the first sign of serious infection.
What other medicines interact with Ustekinumab?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Ustekinumab with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Typhoid vaccine live, Adalimumab. The full list is on the Ustekinumab page.
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