Consider Rinvoq

Considering RINVOQ® (upadacitinib) for giant cell arteritis (GCA)?*

Hypothetical patient.

*RINVOQ® is a once-daily tablet indicated for the treatment of giant cell arteritis in adult patients.

If you have been diagnosed with GCA and are still experiencing symptoms with your current treatment, there may be uncontrolled inflammation in your arteries. Your doctor may discuss RINVOQ® as a treatment option.

With just one tablet daily, RINVOQ® may help.

Not all medicines are for all patients. Speak to your doctor and see the safety information here for more details.

How does RINVOQ® help relieve GCA symptoms?

Woman playing soccor with kids

Hypothetical patient.

RINVOQ® treatment may help:

  • Reduce headaches
  • Lessen scalp tenderness and jaw pain
  • Reduce tiredness
  • Shorten time on steroids

Steroids are often used and are usually effective to treat GCA but can have side effects if used at high doses or for a long time. Reducing the steroid dose can also lead to a flare of GCA. Adding RINVOQ® to the treatment means that steroids can be used for a shorter time, while still controlling GCA.

RINVOQ® is a non-steroid treatment option for GCA

In a clinical trial, RINVOQ® helped more people with GCA achieve remission (no signs or symptoms of GCA) compared to those on steroids alone. Those in remission on RINVOQ® were able to:

  • Taper off steroids in 6 months
  • Reach remission at 3 months
  • Stay in remission at 1 year

RINVOQ® may help make disease control possible for GCA

RINVOQ® Dosing for GCA‡

The recommended dose of RINVOQ® for GCA is 15 mg once daily in combination with a tapering course of corticosteroids.

RINVOQ® 15 mg once daily can be used as monotherapy following discontinuation of corticosteroids.

RINVOQ® monotherapy should not be used for the treatment of acute relapses.

‡Treatment beyond 52 weeks should be guided by disease activity, physician discretion, and patient choice.

RINVOQ® can be taken with or without food. Avoid food or drink containing grapefruit. Do not split, crush, or chew the pill.

Inflammatory conditions are chronic conditions, so to help control your symptoms, RINVOQ® should be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

RINVOQ packaging

RINVOQ® is available for the treatment of GCA in New Zealand

RINVOQ® is only available with a prescription, so if you are experiencing symptoms of GCA despite your current treatment, consult your rheumatologist to see if RINVOQ® is right for you.

RINVOQ® is not currently subsidised for GCA, and you will need to pay the full cost of this medication.

Frequently Asked Questions about RINVOQ®

When should I expect to see and feel an improvement?

Clinical trial data suggests some patients may achieve remission as early as 3 months when RINVOQ® is used alongside a steroid taper. However, some patients will not respond within this timeframe. It's important to be patient and stay on track with your dosing schedule.

Will the benefits last?

During the clinical trial extension period, ongoing observations suggest that adult patients with GCA taking RINVOQ® who achieved remission (no signs or symptoms of GCA) at one year will likely continue to maintain it. Of the patients who reached remission in their first year and continued treatment with RINVOQ®, the majority (69%) remained in remission at the 2-year mark, compared to 29% of those who were switched to a placebo after 1 year.

Will RINVOQ® cure my GCA?

Unfortunately, currently there are no treatments available that can cure GCA. RINVOQ® will not cure your condition but can help manage your symptoms.

What else can I do to take care of my disease besides taking medications?

In addition to taking medication to reduce inflammation, treatment often involves lifestyle measures. Alongside our own RINVOQ® Resources page, the Health Navigator website offers many helpful tips.

What does this mean for me?

When treating GCA, your rheumatologist will aim to lower steroid use over time to avoid long-term complications. RINVOQ® is a non-steroid treatment option to manage inflammation in GCA, helping to reduce headaches, scalp tenderness, jaw pain, tiredness, and time on steroids. But to find out more about how RINVOQ® could become part of your treatment plan, you’ll first need to have a discussion with your rheumatologist.

Abbreviations: GCA, giant cell arteritis.

References: 1. RINVOQ® Data Sheet. 2. Blockmans D, et al. N Engl J Med. 2025;392(20):2013-2024 and supplementary appendix. 3. RINVOQ Consumer Medicine Information. 4. Schmidt W, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Upadacitinib in Giant Cell Arteritis: 2-Year Results From the Re-Randomized, Double-Blind SELECT-GCA Phase 3 Trial [abstract]. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2025;77(suppl 9). https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/efficacy-and-safety-of-upadacitinib-in-giant-cell-arteritis-2-year-results-from-the-re-randomized-double-blind-select-gca-phase-3-trial/ (Accessed July 2026).

NZ-RNQR-260035. TAPS BG6737-C. Date prepared September 2026.