Product description written by Dr. Ami Patel, PharmD (October 1, 2020)

What is Xeljanz?

Xeljanz (generic name Tofacitinib) is a medication that is used to treat certain types of arthritis and ulcerative colitis (a medical problem in which there are sores in your rectum or colon). Xeljaz is a Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitor. In some medical conditions, your immune system attacks parts of your body. A JAK inhibitor works to inhibit an overactive immune system, so that it doesn't cause pain, swelling, and damage. In rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis, your immune system attacks your joints leading to pain, swelling, and stiffness. In ulcerative colitis, your immune system attacks the lining of your rectum or colon leading to gut pain, swelling, and blood in your stools.

What is Xeljanz used for?

Xeljanz is used to treat adults with any of the following medical conditions:

Moderate or severe active rheumatoid arthritis for which methotrexate did not work or was not well tolerated
Active psoriatic arthritis for which methotrexate or other similar drugs (DMARDs or disease modifying antirheumatic drugs) did not work or was not well tolerated
Moderate or severe active ulcerative colitis when other drugs (TNF or tumor necrosis factor blockers) did not work or were not well tolerated

What are the side effects of Xeljanz?

Common Xeljanz side effects include:

Headache
Runny nose
Sore throat
Stuffy nose
Sinus infections
Throat infections
Being more susceptible to the common cold
Shingles infection
High blood pressure
Loose or frequent stools
Changes in blood tests, including
- increased cholesterol or fats in the blood

- increased muscle enzyme levels (a sign of muscle damage)

Serious Xeljanz side effects include:

Hepatitis B or C infection in people who already carry the hepatitis virus in their blood. If you carry the hepatitis B or C virus in your blood, your liver could become infected with hepatitis again after starting Xeljanz. Tell your doctor if you have any signs of a liver infection, such as yellow eyes or skin, clay-colored stools, stomach pain, dark urine, fever, chills, loss of appetite, unusual tiredness, muscle aches or skin rash.
Severe infections including, but not limited to, TB (tuberculosis, a lung infection), shingles, fungus infections, and bacterial infections. Call your doctor right away if you notice any signs of infection such as: unusual tiredness, muscle aches, trouble breathing, cough, weight loss, pain or burning when you pee, fever, diarrhea, sweating, chills, or unusual skin sores.
Greater risk of death in people with rheumatoid arthritis who are older than 50 years old and have more than one risk factor for heart disease. This is more likely to happen if you take more than 11mg of Xeljanz once daily.
Increased chance of developing cancer, including blood or skin cancers.
Problems with kidney transplant rejection
Blood clots in arteries, lungs, or veins of your arms or legs. Go to an emergency room and call your doctor immediately if you develop sudden swelling, pain, or tenderness in your arm or leg, or shortness of breath, trouble breathing, or sudden chest pain
Tears in your gut (intestines or stomach) Tell your doctor if you have a fever or abdominal (stomach-area) pain that lingers, or if there’s a change in your stools. This is more common in people who have had diverticulitis, or those taking certain medicines such as methotrexate, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), or corticosteroids.
Serious allergic reactions. Signs of an allergic reaction to Xeljanz include swelling of your face, lips, throat, or tongue, or hives (itchy red welts on your skin). If this occurs, stop taking Xeljanz and call your doctor right away.
Changes in your blood tests (low red blood cells, low white blood cells, high cholesterol, or high liver enzymes). Your doctor will perform routine blood tests to make sure Xeljanz is safe for you.

What you should know before using Xeljanz

Tell your doctor about your current health status before you start Xeljanz. This includes information about:

Kidney problems
Liver problems
If you have or have had blood clots anywhere in your body
If you currently have an infection
Any history of diverticulitis or stomach-area pain, or stomach ulcers
A past reaction to tofacitinib or Xeljanz
If you are planning to get a shot or vaccine
If you are planning to become pregnant or are pregnant
If you are planning to breastfeed or are breastfeeding
If you are taking any other medications (especially medicines that affect your liver, like ketoconazole, fluconazole, or rifampin, and medicines that affect your immune system like Humira, Remicade, or cyclosporine among others) to minimize Xeljanz side effects.
If you cannot swallow a whole tablet. Xeljanz should not be crushed, split, or chewed. You may see something in your stool that looks like a Xeljanz tablet. It is the empty shell from the tablet that remains after the medicine has been released into your body.
Xeljanz has not been studied to be safe or effective in children.

Drugs Similar to Xeljanz

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FAQ's

What is the proper dosage of Xeljanz?

The recommended dose of Xeljanz varies based on what you are treating and how well your kidneys and liver work. Some people who are using other medicines at the same time as Xeljanz will need to have a change in their dose. Ask your doctor what dose of Xeljanz is appropriate for you.

Most otherwise healthy people who have rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis will take one 5mg tablet of Xeljanz, twice daily.

For ulcerative colitis, the dose is Xeljanz 10mg twice daily for the first two to four months, after which it is decreased to Xeljanz 5mg twice daily.

How long does Xeljanz stay in your system?

For most healthy adults (those with no kidney or liver problems), Xeljanz will linger in your system for 18 hours after the last dose, and Xeljanz will stay in your body for approximately 36 hours after the last dose.

What is the cost of Xeljanz?

Xeljanz cost varies based on the number of tablets, the dose of medication, and length of treatment. To lower Xeljanz cost, buy Xeljanz online at NorthWestPharmacy.com.

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