upadacitinib
Rinvoq (upadacitinib) is an oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor from AbbVie for several immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, atopic dermatitis, giant cell arteritis, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease, usually after an inadequate response to prior therapy such as TNF blockers or DMARDs.
This page is based on the official US label for RINVOQ and the EMA medicine record for Rinvoq, cross-checked with MedlinePlus; the mechanism is explained in plain language, and analogies are used only where they stay accurate.
How it works
Explains what the medicine does in the body, not dosing, side effects, or safety.
An analogy
Immune cells send inflammatory messages to tissues through cytokines, and JAK proteins act like signal relays that carry each message inside the cell. Upadacitinib switches off the JAK1 relay, so many inflammatory messages arrive but never get delivered.
In simple terms
Upadacitinib is a tablet taken once daily. It blocks Janus kinase 1 (JAK1), an enzyme that immune cells use to pass inflammatory signals inside the cell. By dampening these signals, it reduces inflammation in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, atopic dermatitis, and inflammatory bowel disease.
In depth
Upadacitinib is a reversible, selective inhibitor of Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) with greater selectivity for JAK1 over JAK2, JAK3, and TYK2. JAK1 mediates signalling for multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines implicated in immune-mediated disease. By inhibiting JAK1-dependent phosphorylation of STAT transcription factors, upadacitinib reduces cytokine-driven inflammation across rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, atopic dermatitis, giant cell arteritis, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease.
See it in motion
A schematic animation of the mechanism — simplified for clarity, not drawn to scale.
How upadacitinib selectively inhibits JAK1 to quiet inflammation
- Immune cells send inflammatory messages to tissues through cytokines, and JAK proteins act like signal relays that carry each message inside the cell.
- Upadacitinib is a reversible, selective inhibitor of Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) with greater selectivity for JAK1 over JAK2, JAK3, and TYK2.
- JAK1 mediates signalling for multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines implicated in immune-mediated disease.
- By inhibiting JAK1-dependent phosphorylation of STAT transcription factors, upadacitinib reduces cytokine-driven inflammation across rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, axial spondyloarthritis, atopic dermatitis, giant cell arteritis, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease.
Target: Janus kinase 1 (JAK1)
An intracellular kinase that relays signals from many cytokine receptors to the cell nucleus; JAK1-dependent cytokines drive inflammation in rheumatic and skin diseases.
Approved uses
Approved uses differ by country and change over time. Always follow your local prescribing information.
Approved uses in United States
FDA- Moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis in adults who have had an inadequate response or intolerance to one or more TNF blockers
- Active psoriatic arthritis in adults and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older who have had an inadequate response or intolerance to one or more TNF blockers
- Refractory, moderate to severe atopic dermatitis in adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older whose disease is not adequately controlled with other systemic drug products, including biologics, or when use of those therapies is inadvisable
- Moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis in adults who have had an inadequate response or intolerance to one or more TNF blockers
- Moderately to severely active Crohn's disease in adults who have had an inadequate response or intolerance to one or more TNF blockers
- Active ankylosing spondylitis in adults who have had an inadequate response or intolerance to one or more TNF blockers
- Active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis with objective signs of inflammation in adults who have had an inadequate response or intolerance to TNF blocker therapy
- Giant cell arteritis in adults
Approved uses in European Union
EMA- Moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis in adults who have responded inadequately to, or who are intolerant to, one or more disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs); may be used as monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate
- Active psoriatic arthritis in adults who have responded inadequately to, or who are intolerant to, one or more DMARDs; may be used as monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate
- Active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis in adults with objective signs of inflammation who have responded inadequately to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Active ankylosing spondylitis (radiographic axial spondyloarthritis) in adults who have responded inadequately to conventional therapy
- Giant cell arteritis in adults
- Moderate to severe atopic dermatitis in adults and adolescents 12 years and older who are candidates for systemic therapy
- Severe alopecia areata in adults and adolescents 12 years and older
- Non-segmental vitiligo in adults and adolescents 12 years and older who are candidates for systemic therapy
Official sources
The statements on this page trace back to these records.
- Rinvoq (upadacitinib) — Summary of product characteristics and package leaflet, English version
European Medicines Agency
- DailyMed: RINVOQ (upadacitinib) official US label
U.S. National Library of Medicine, DailyMed
- MedlinePlus: upadacitinib
MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
This page explains how the medicine works — it isn’t the patient leaflet. For anything that applies to you, read the leaflet that came with your medicine or ask your pharmacist.
MedUnfold provides educational content and is not medical advice. Always follow your local prescribing information and healthcare professional.