Can I take Rinvoq with a prior breast cancer diagnosis?
Hello! I have had RA for 13 years and have taken methotrexate, Enbrel and Orencia infusions, all which worked well. Three years ago I was diagnosed with idc left breast cancer. I had a double mastectomy and radiation. I wanted to know if it would be “safe” to start Rinvoq. I know it has side effects but not like TNF blockers. What are your thoughts please?
Hi,
! If you haven't done so already, this would be a great question to ask your physician or pharmacist. Your doctor knows your medical history best and would be able to advise you on what the best treatment options might be for you. That said, Rinvoq does have some potential serious side effects, including a 'black box' warning (Please note the link I am providing is a 32 page pdf!) -- https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/211675s000lbl.pdf. Rinvoq has been shown to cause certain types of cancers in individuals, including lymphoma and certain types of skin cancer. Here is some basic information about the drug that may be a little easier to digest than the pdf -- https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/treatment/rinvoq-upadacitinib/. I wish I could just give you a definite "yes" or "no", but for your safety, it's really best to discuss this with your medical team that fully understands you and your medical history. Best, Erin, RheumatoidArthritis.net Team member.
