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Someone with Crohn’s disease and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) posted that their doctor wants to switch them from Remicade (a biologic) to Rinvoq (a small-molecule drug). They’ve been using a mix of experimental peptides alongside Remicade and are worried because they can’t find clear information about whether those peptides are safe to keep using with Rinvoq. They asked if anyone knows about interactions or risks. The peptides they list are a mixed bag. Some names (like kisspeptin, MOTS‑c, and SS‑31) are short protein fragments that researchers study for things like metabolism, fertility signaling, cellular energy and mitochondrial protection. Others on the list—Reta, Klow stack, IPA/CJC—sound like peptide blends or brand names commonly used in aesthetic, performance, or anti‑aging communities; those are often sold without strict regulation and can vary in purity and dosing. Remicade (infliximab) is an antibody drug that blocks inflammation through a specific immune protein. Rinvoq (upadacitinib) is different: it’s a pill that inhibits enzymes called JAKs (Janus kinases) that help immune cells send signals. In short: some of these items are well-studied drugs, and many peptides are experimental or semi‑commercial, with limited formal safety data. What the available information actually shows is limited. There aren’t rigorous clinical trials testing Rinvoq together with most of those peptides. Rinvoq’s known interactions tend to involve other immune‑suppressing drugs, live vaccines, and medicines that affect the same metabolic pathways. For the peptides listed, evidence is mostly preclinical (lab or animal studies) or small human studies for specific uses—not broad safety data on combining them with JAK inhibitors. That means we don’t have proof of a dangerous interaction, but we also don’t have reassuring studies that say it’s safe. Anecdotes from forums are common, but they can’t replace controlled studies. Why this matters: switching immune therapies changes how your immune system is controlled. If a peptide affects immunity, inflammation, or the same cellular pathways as Rinvoq, it could reduce the new drug’s benefit or raise the risk of side effects like infections. People with autoimmune diseases who are considering changing treatments should care because the balance between controlling disease activity and avoiding infections or other harms is delicate. Also, peptide products sold outside regulated channels can vary in quality, which adds uncertainty when you mix them with prescription medicines. Caveats and risks are important here. Rinvoq is a prescription JAK inhibitor with known risks: increased infection risk, possible blood‑clot risk in some people, and other immune‑related effects; its label warns about combining with other immunosuppressants. Many peptides lack long‑term safety data and can interact unpredictably. If a peptide is unregulated or self‑ compounded, contamination or dosing errors are possible. The safest route is to discuss each peptide with your rheumatologist or pharmacist before switching. They can advise whether to pause specific peptides, monitor you more closely, or choose a different treatment approach. Never stop or change prescribed immunosuppressive therapy without medical guidance. Bottom line: there’s no clear, trustworthy evidence that all those peptides are safe to keep using with Rinvoq, so talk with your doctor and pharmacist to review each product and plan monitoring or pauses as needed.
Source: r/Peptides