JAKi

Medical abbreviation · Drug Class

JAKi
Stands forJanus kinase inhibitor
CategoriesMedical

JAKi stands for Janus kinase inhibitor, a drug class abbreviation.

Oral small-molecule drugs, including tofacitinib, baricitinib and upadacitinib, that block JAK enzymes inside immune cells to dampen cytokine signaling. They treat rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, atopic dermatitis and alopecia areata.

Example: RA failed adalimumab: start JAKi upadacitinib 15 mg daily; zoster vaccine first.

Usage notes

Tofacitinib was approved in 2012 as the first JAK inhibitor for RA. After the ORAL Surveillance trial, the FDA in 2021 added boxed warnings for heart attack, stroke, cancer, blood clots and death, advising use after TNF inhibitors in most cases. JAK inhibitors also raise shingles risk. Ruxolitinib treats myelofibrosis and, as a cream, eczema and vitiligo.

More drug class abbreviations

  • ICI – Immune checkpoint inhibitor
  • ICS – Inhaled corticosteroid
  • ICS/LABA – Inhaled corticosteroid and long-acting beta-agonist combination
  • IMiD – Immunomodulatory imide drug
  • INCS – Intranasal corticosteroids
  • INSTI – Integrase strand transfer inhibitor
  • LABA – Long-acting beta2-agonist
  • LABA/LAMA – Long-acting beta-agonist and long-acting muscarinic antagonist…
  • LAI – Long-acting injectable
  • LAMA – Long-acting muscarinic antagonist
  • LMWH – Low-molecular-weight heparin
  • LTRA – Leukotriene receptor antagonist

See all 113 drug class abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.