When should Ritlecitinib NOT be used?

When should Ritlecitinib NOT be used?

Before starting treatment with Ritlecitinib, the following conditions must be ruled out: you are absolutely prohibited from using Ritlecitinib if you are allergic to it or any of its other ingredients. Similarly, you must not use this medicine if you currently have a serious infection, including tuberculosis. Severe liver problems are also a contraindication to the use of Ritlecitinib. In addition, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should not take Ritlecitinib. It is important to emphasize that this medicine is prescribed for your specific condition; do not give it to others, even if they have the same symptoms, as its use may be harmful to them.

Infections and other health risks to tell your doctor about before using Ritlecitinib

Before and during treatment, be sure to tell your doctor if you have any signs of infection, such as fever, sweating, chills, muscle aches, cough, difficulty breathing, coughing up blood, weight loss, diarrhea, abdominal pain, abnormal urination, or noticeable fatigue. Ritlecitinib may lower your body's ability to fight infections, worsen existing infections, or increase the risk of new infections. If you have diabetes or are over 65 years old, your risk of infection is higher. In particular, tell your doctor if you have or have ever had tuberculosis, or have been in close contact with someone who has tuberculosis; your doctor will perform tuberculosis tests before and during treatment. Patients who have had chickenpox, shingles, or hepatitis (B or C) should also inform their doctor, as Ritlecitinib may cause these infections to reactivate. Additionally, if you have a history of cancer, or have experienced venous or arterial blood clots (such as deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, retinal artery occlusion, or heart attack), you should have your doctor evaluate the risks and benefits of treatment.

Vaccinations, blood tests, and other drug interactions

During treatment with Ritlecitinib, certain live vaccines (including the shingles vaccine) are not recommended. If you have recently received any vaccine or plan to be vaccinated, you must consult your doctor beforehand. Your doctor may suggest that you receive other vaccinations before starting treatment. Before and after treatment, your doctor will take blood samples to check your white blood cell and platelet counts, focusing on the period before treatment and about 4 weeks after starting treatment, and will adjust treatment based on the results. If you are taking any of the following medicines, be sure to tell your doctor: midazolam (for anxiety/insomnia), quinidine (for irregular heartbeat), colchicine (for gout), cyclosporine or other tacrolimus-like medicines (to prevent organ transplant rejection), dihydroergotamine (for migraine), pimozide (for psychosis), theophylline (for asthma), tizanidine (for muscle spasm), or pirfenidone (for pulmonary fibrosis). Ritlecitinib may increase the blood levels of these medicines, thereby increasing the risk of side effects.