The JAK inhibitors (janus kinase inhibitors) baricitinib and tofacitinib may have a glucose-lowering effect in patients with diabetes mellitus. As a result, patients sometimes have to adjust the diabetes medication.
A total of 32 reports of reduced glucose levels with tofacitinib and baricitinib were received in Europe, three of which were in the Netherlands. Patients were taking the medication for a rheumatic disease and also had diabetes. All reports showed a decreased or even too low glucose level in the blood after starting the JAK inhibitor. Sometimes the dosage of diabetes medication had to be reduced as a result. The dose of diabetes medication also had to be increased again after the JAK inhibitor was discontinued.