How Long Does Olumiant Take to Work? GoodRx Answers 8 Common Olumiant FAQs

Some medications, such as Claritin (loratadine), start working within hours of taking a dose. With many medications, however, it takes more time to see results.

Olumiant (baricitinib) is one of those medications. It’s available with a prescription and treats three health conditions that affect the immune system: rheumatoid arthritis (RA), alopecia areata (or, simply, alopecia), and COVID-19. It takes time to start working, but it can make a difference in your symptoms once it does.

Here, we’ll answer eight frequently asked questions about how Olumiant works, when you can expect to see results, and the possible side effects.

1. How long does Olumiant take to work?

Olumiant doesn’t start working right away. So, depending on your condition, it may take some time for you to see the effects.

Rheumatoid arthritis

If you’re taking Olumiant for RA, you’re likely looking to improve your symptoms and change the course, or progression, of your condition. It may take up to 1 week of treatment for you to see initial changes in your RA symptoms. The medication’s full effects tend to take hold after about 12 weeks (3 months) of continuous use.

Alopecia

If you’re taking Olumiant for alopecia, you’re probably expecting to see hair growth on your scalp, eyebrows, and eyelashes. You may start to see differences in hair coverage within a few weeks of starting Olumiant for alopecia. It can take up to 36 weeks (about 8 to 9 months) to see more significant improvements, though.

Talk to your dermatologist if you aren’t seeing the results you want. They may be able to increase your dosage for better results.

COVID-19

If you have COVID, Olumiant can help reduce your recovery time when paired with Veklury (remdesivir). You can generally expect results within days of starting the medication. However, Olumiant is only approved to be taken for a maximum of 14 days (2 weeks) at a time for this purpose.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• An innovative way to regrow hair: Discover more about what Olumiant is and how it treats alopecia areata.

• Managing risks: Learn about common and rare Olumiant side effects and how to manage them.

• Taking the right amount: Understand how Olumiant dosages vary for people with different health conditions.

2. How does Olumiant work?

Health conditions like RA, alopecia, and COVID cause the immune system to go into overdrive. Olumiant works by blocking signals in your body that lead to immune system activation and excessive inflammation.

More specifically, Olumiant is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor. JAKs are proteins that activate different parts of the immune system, causing inflammation throughout the body. Olumiant blocks JAK proteins to calm down the immune system.

3. Is Olumiant a biologic?

Modern medications can be grouped into two main categories: small-molecule drugs and biologics. Olumiant is a small molecule, not a biologic.

Small molecules contain relatively simple chemicals that are made in a laboratory. They’re also small when it comes to their size under a microscope, as implied by their name. Many medications you may already be familiar with, such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Claritin, are considered small molecules.

In contrast, biologics are made of large, complex molecules that come from living sources — such as people, animals, or bacteria. They can be hard to produce and are typically administered as an injection. Currently, Humira (adalimumab) and Lantus (insulin glargine) are two of the most commonly prescribed biologics.

4. How often do you need to take Olumiant?

Olumiant tablets are taken once daily. If you have RA or alopecia, you’ll likely take the medication on a long-term basis. If you’re taking Olumiant in a hospital setting for COVID, you can only take it for a maximum of 14 days. Though, your treatment course may be shorter depending on how soon you’re discharged from the hospital.

If you’re taking Olumiant for RA or alopecia, you’ll likely need to stop taking it if you develop a substantial infection. Common signs and symptoms of infection include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. If you have to pause treatment, your healthcare professional will let you know if and when it’s OK to resume taking Olumiant (likely when your infection has resolved).

Your healthcare professional may also ask you to stop taking Olumiant if you develop severe issues with your kidneys or liver.

5. Olumiant vs. Litfulo: Which is better?

Litfulo (ritlecitinib) and Olumiant are similar medications that treat alopecia. They’re in the same medication class, but there are important distinctions between them.

For one, Olumiant is FDA approved to treat RA, alopecia, and COVID. Litfulo only treats alopecia, but it is approved for adults and adolescents age 12 and older. Olumiant is only approved for use in adults.

Effectiveness is another consideration. Olumiant was more effective for alopecia than Litfulo in a recent systematic review (an analysis comparing multiple studies). However, more research is needed to confirm these findings.

Litfulo also has more known drug interactions than Olumiant. But your pharmacist can review your medication list to help you manage potential interactions.

Good to know: With Olumiant and Litfulo, one medication isn’t considered better than the other. People have different needs depending on their age and condition, as well as other medications they take. Speak to your healthcare professional to find out which medication, if either, could be a good fit.

6. Does Olumiant cause weight gain?

In clinical studies, most people taking Olumiant didn’t experience any meaningful changes in their body weight.

Everyone’s experience with Olumiant is unique, though. If you’re concerned about unintended weight gain, there are a few steps you can take. Routine exercise and a balanced diet are ideal places to start when possible.

If you do experience weight gain while taking Olumiant and have concerns, talk with your healthcare professional. They can adjust your Olumiant dosage or talk to you about other options.

7. How do you get a prescription for Olumiant?

Olumiant is a prescription-only medication; it’s not available over the counter. So if you’re interested in taking Olumiant, you’ll need to speak to your healthcare professional about getting a prescription.

To see if the medication is a good fit, your healthcare professional will likely want you to go in for an appointment. During the appointment, they can perform a medical evaluation, review your current medications, and order lab tests. If they determine Olumiant is a good option for you, they’ll write you a prescription.

8. What is the cost of Olumiant, and how can you save?

As of June 2024, the list price for a 30-day supply of 2 mg Olumiant is $2,740. And a 30-day supply of the 4 mg tablets is listed at $5,480. But you won’t likely have to pay the list price for the medication. Health insurance, a copay savings card, or a patient assistance program can help make your medication more affordable.

If you have insurance, your pharmacy can help you determine what your out-of-pocket costs for Olumiant will be. They can also troubleshoot with your insurance provider if the medication isn’t initially covered. And GoodRx can help you navigate between copay savings card and patient assistance program options:

• Save with a copay savings card. If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $5 per month for Olumiant using a savings card from the manufacturer.

• Save with a patient assistance program. If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Olumiant’s patient assistance program, which offers the medication free of charge.

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Written by:

Mandeep Sohal, PharmD

Mandeep Sohal, PharmD, has more than 7 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry and is licensed in California. In his career, he’s had experience with specialty pharmacy, community pharmacy, pharmacy benefit management, and pharmaceutical manufacturers.

Edited by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

Reviewed by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

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