Baricitinib lowered mortality in certain hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19.
The Janus kinase (Jak) inhibitor known as baricitinib was proposed as a treatment for COVID-19 because of its anti-inflammatory and potential antiviral effects. In an early trial (NEJM JW Infect Dis Feb 2021 and N Engl J Med 2020 Dec 11; [e-pub]), baricitinib shortened time to recovery when added to remdesivir in patients hospitalized with COVID-19, but this study excluded people who were receiving corticosteroids (which are now standard of care for hospitalized patients requiring oxygen). Now, the manufacturer-sponsored COV-BARRIER study provides data on baricitinib's role during the corticosteroid era.
Between June 2020 and January 2021, 1525 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 who had ≥1 elevated inflammatory marker were randomized to bar…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresGrant/Research SupportNIH
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; ID Images (idimages.org); Infectious Diseases Society of America COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines; International Antiviral Society–USA (Guidelines Committee)
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesHIV Medicine Association; Infectious Diseases Society of America (Board of Directors)
DisclosuresGrant/Research SupportNIH
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; ID Images (idimages.org); Infectious Diseases Society of America COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines; International Antiviral Society–USA (Guidelines Committee)
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesHIV Medicine Association; Infectious Diseases Society of America (Board of Directors)