JAK Inhibitors: How This New RA Treatment Works

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease, meaning it’s caused by an overactive immune system. Instead of just attacking harmful viruses and bacteria, an immune system with RA attacks your synovium — the protective space between joints.

JAK inhibitors are a type of disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD). A JAK inhibitor helps ease joint pain, swelling, and destruction by blocking the activity of the Janus kinase, which decreases inflammatory or proinflammatory molecules in the blood.

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Written by:

Brittany Doohan

Brittany Doohan was the Content Director at HealthiNation and is currently the Editorial Director at Medscape. Through her work with Medscape, she won a Silver Telly Award in May 2022 for "Sleepless Nation: A Public Health Epidemic — Episode 2: A Decade Without a Diagnosis." She has worked in health journalism and video production for more than 8 years, and loves the challenge of explaining complex topics in an easy-to-understand and creative way.

Reviewed by:

Alexandra Schwarz, MD

Dr. Schwarz is board eligible Sleep Medicine and board certified Family Medicine physician. She is a member of the AASM and ABFM.

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