PRE-TESTING AND VACCINATION

For more detailed information on vaccinations, please see the CANIBD Vaccination Guide

TB skin test
Blood work (baseline CBC, liver enzymes, lipids, CK, renal function, hepatitis B serology)
Shingrix® zoster vaccination

Ensure all immunizations are current. Refer to CANIBD Vaccination Guidelines for further information.14

Recommend receiving live vaccines prior to starting therapy.

METHOD OF ADMINISTRATION

Oral

LOCATION

Home

DOSING

Induction/loading: 10 mg twice/day for 8 wks,

then maintenance 5 mg twice daily but 10 mg BID may also be used in some patients. Lowest possible dose should be used.

TIME REQUIRED

5 min

ROUTINE MONITORING

Lipids at baseline, 4–8 wks after initiation and every 6 mos thereafter.
Liver enzymes and renal function prior to initiation;
CBC with differential at baseline, approx. 4–8 wks after initiation, every 3 mos thereafter.
Annual cervical cancer screening – pap test
Annual skin exam – skin malignancies
Influenza vaccine recommended
Screening for osteoporosis with bone mineral density testing periodically after diagnosis