Despite the encouraging phase II trial results of baricitinib in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, two parallel phase III trials have failed to redemonstrate the efficacy of baricitinib in active SLE, thereby halting development of baricitinib in SLE. 

SLE-BRAVE I and SLE-BRAVE II were large, multinational, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies and patients with active SLE on stable therapy who were randomized to receive baricitinib 4 mg, baricitinib 2 mg, or placebo daily for 1 year.

A study led by Vinod Dasa, MD, Professor of Orthopaedics at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, reports that a novel surgical pain management strategy following total knee arthroplasty (TKA), or total knee replacement, provided pain relief without opioids. The researchers also found that changing prescriptions for opioids at discharge from automatic to upon request dramatically decreased opioid use.