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JAK Inhibitor VTE Risk — SCE Rheumatology MCQ

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HardRheumatology PharmacologyJAK Inhibitor VTE RiskSCE Rheumatology

A patient taking tofacitinib develops a confirmed proximal deep-vein thrombosis. What should happen to the JAK inhibitor?

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Correct answer: DStop tofacitinib and arrange urgent thrombosis and rheumatology assessment

A new VTE during JAK-inhibitor therapy requires cessation and urgent clinical review. The thrombus is treated conventionally and future inflammatory-arthritis therapy is selected after reassessing VTE, cardiovascular and malignancy risk across the class.

Reference: MHRA: tofacitinib — measures to minimise venous-thromboembolism risk (Published March 2020): https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/tofacitinib-xeljanz-new-measures-to-minimise-risk-of-venous-thromboembolism-and-of-serious-and-fatal-infections; MHRA: JAK inhibitors — measures to reduce cardiovascular, malignancy, VTE, infection and mortality risks (Published April 2023): https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/janus-kinase-jak-inhibitors-new-measures-to-reduce-risks-of-major-cardiovascular-events-malignancy-venous-thromboembolism-serious-infections-and-increased-mortality