Xeljanz

Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing spondylitis, Rheumatoid Arthritis + 8 more
Treatment
11 FDA approvals
20 Active Studies for Xeljanz

What is Xeljanz

TofacitinibThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryTofacitinib is a medication used to treat moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. It works by blocking certain enzymes in the body that can cause inflammation. It is often prescribed when other treatments, such as methotrexate, are not effective. It has also been studied for the prevention of organ transplant rejection and is being investigated for the treatment of psoriasis. Common side effects include nausea and headache, but more serious immunological and hematological side effects can occur. Tofacitinib is sold by Pfizer under the brand name Xeljanz.
Xeljanzis the brand name
image of different drug pills on a surface
Xeljanz Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Xeljanz
Tofacitinib
2012
9

Approved as Treatment by the FDA

Tofacitinib, also known as Xeljanz, is approved by the FDA for 11 uses which include Rheumatoid Arthritis and inadequate response or intolerance to DMARDs .
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Helps manage severe Rheumatoid arthritis
inadequate response or intolerance to DMARDs
Helps manage inadequate response or intolerance to DMARDs
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Helps manage moderate Rheumatoid arthritis
Colitis, Ulcerative
Helps manage Moderate to Severe Ulcerative Colitis
Moderate to Severe Ulcerative Colitis
Helps manage Moderate to Severe Ulcerative Colitis
Psoriatic Arthritis
Helps manage Psoriatic Arthritis
moderate Rheumatoid arthritis
Helps manage moderate Rheumatoid arthritis
Intolerant to Methotrexate
Helps manage Intolerant to Methotrexate
methotrexate
Helps manage Insufficient Response to Methotrexate
severe Rheumatoid arthritis
Helps manage severe Rheumatoid arthritis
Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors
Helps manage Inadequate response or intolerance to TNF blockers

Effectiveness

How Xeljanz Affects PatientsTofacitinib helps reduce inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis. In trials with people taking either 5mg or 10mg of tofacitinib twice daily, some patients felt less joint pain, arthritis pain, and disability within two weeks. Common side effects include headache, diarrhea, nausea, and upper respiratory infections. More serious side effects may include a decrease in white blood cells, anemia, and a higher risk of cancer and infection. Before starting tofacitinib, patients should be tested for latent tuberculosis infections. It should not be used if there is an active infection, and should be stopped if a
How Xeljanz works in the bodyRheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease caused by the body's abnormal production of certain proteins called cytokines. These proteins lead to inflammation and damage to bones and joints. Tofacitinib is a drug that helps treat this condition by blocking a signaling pathway called the JAK-STAT pathway. This pathway is responsible for activating cells involved in immune cell function. By blocking this pathway, tofacitinib reduces the inflammatory response and helps reduce the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, there may be other pathways through which tofacitinib works to treat this condition.

When to interrupt dosage

The amount of Xeljanz is contingent upon the determined condition, such as inadequate response to conventional therapy, Juvenile arthritis and Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors. The magnitude of dosage deviates, in keeping with the approach of delivery as described in the table beneath.
Condition
Dosage
Administration
inadequate response or intolerance to DMARDs
5.0 mg, , 11.0 mg, 10.0 mg, 22.0 mg, 1.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Solution - Oral, Solution
Intolerant to Methotrexate
5.0 mg, , 11.0 mg, 10.0 mg, 22.0 mg, 1.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Solution - Oral, Solution
Rheumatoid Arthritis
5.0 mg, , 11.0 mg, 10.0 mg, 22.0 mg, 1.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Solution - Oral, Solution
Ankylosing spondylitis
5.0 mg, , 11.0 mg, 10.0 mg, 22.0 mg, 1.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Solution - Oral, Solution
Rheumatoid Arthritis
5.0 mg, , 11.0 mg, 10.0 mg, 22.0 mg, 1.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Solution - Oral, Solution
Arthritis, Juvenile
5.0 mg, , 11.0 mg, 10.0 mg, 22.0 mg, 1.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Solution - Oral, Solution
methotrexate
5.0 mg, , 11.0 mg, 10.0 mg, 22.0 mg, 1.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Solution - Oral, Solution
Psoriatic Arthritis
5.0 mg, , 11.0 mg, 10.0 mg, 22.0 mg, 1.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Solution - Oral, Solution
Disease
5.0 mg, , 11.0 mg, 10.0 mg, 22.0 mg, 1.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Solution - Oral, Solution
Colitis, Ulcerative
5.0 mg, , 11.0 mg, 10.0 mg, 22.0 mg, 1.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Solution - Oral, Solution
Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors
5.0 mg, , 11.0 mg, 10.0 mg, 22.0 mg, 1.0 mg/mL
, Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Solution - Oral, Solution

Warnings

There are 20 known major drug interactions with Xeljanz.
Common Xeljanz Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Adenovirus type 7 vaccine live
Major
The risk or severity of infection can be increased when Tofacitinib is combined with Adenovirus type 7 vaccine live.
Anthrax vaccine
Major
The risk or severity of infection can be increased when Tofacitinib is combined with Anthrax vaccine.
Apremilast
Major
The therapeutic efficacy of Apremilast can be decreased when used in combination with Tofacitinib.
BCG vaccine
Major
The risk or severity of infection can be increased when Tofacitinib is combined with BCG vaccine.
Bacillus calmette-guerin substrain connaught live antigen
Major
The risk or severity of infection can be increased when Tofacitinib is combined with Bacillus calmette-guerin substrain connaught live antigen.
Xeljanz Toxicity & Overdose RiskThe minimum toxic dose of the drug in rats is 500mg/kg, while the highest dose that does not cause symptoms in non-human primates is 40mg/kg. Animal studies have found that doses between 1mg/kg/day to 10mg/kg/day over a period of 6 weeks to 6 months can cause toxicity to the lymphatic system, immune system, bone marrow and erythroid cells. Human subjects may experience reduced fertility in females, anemia, neutropenia, and lymphopenia which may require an interruption or discontinuation of therapy if severe. There is evidence of carcinogenic potential, however
image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Xeljanz Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Xeljanz?

Currently, 24 active studies are exploring the potential of Xeljanz to treat inadequate response or intolerance to DMARDs, Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and Moderate to Severe Ulcerative Colitis.
Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Rheumatoid Arthritis
0 Actively Recruiting
inadequate response or intolerance to DMARDs
0 Actively Recruiting
methotrexate
0 Actively Recruiting
Disease
0 Actively Recruiting
Psoriatic Arthritis
26 Actively Recruiting
Phase 3, Not Applicable, Phase 1, Phase 4, Phase 2
Rheumatoid Arthritis
0 Actively Recruiting
Intolerant to Methotrexate
0 Actively Recruiting
Arthritis, Juvenile
0 Actively Recruiting
Colitis, Ulcerative
0 Actively Recruiting
Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors
0 Actively Recruiting
Ankylosing spondylitis
0 Actively Recruiting

Xeljanz Reviews: What are patients saying about Xeljanz?

5Patient Review
11/2/2018
Xeljanz for Rheumatoid Arthritis
I've been taking Xeljanz XR once a day for the past four months, and it's done wonders compared to other treatments I've tried. Injectable biologics work for a while but then lose their efficacy, whereas Xeljanz has kept me feeling great overall with minimal pain. I'm even tapering off my Prednisone usage!
5Patient Review
3/4/2021
Xeljanz for Ulcerated Colon
This drug was an absolute life saver for me. I had a flare up that lasted over a year, and this medication helped me recover within two months. I'm now able to leave my house without worry.
5Patient Review
1/7/2021
Xeljanz for Rheumatoid Arthritis
This medication has had a profound impact on my quality of life. I highly recommend it to anyone struggling with mobility issues.
5Patient Review
11/2/2018
Xeljanz for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Xeljanz XR has been working great for me. I've taken other medication in the past that would work for a while and then stop being effective, but Xeljanz is still going strong after 4 months. I'm feeling less pain overall and am able to walk more, which is awesome.
5Patient Review
1/8/2020
Xeljanz for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Xeljanz has been an absolute godsend. After trying so many different treatments and drugs over the last five years, this is the first time I've felt this good since my diagnosis. I was able to cut my MTX usage by more than half within a month or two of starting Xeljanz, and I really hope that I'll be able to continue affording it.
View All Reviews
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Patient Q&A Section about xeljanz

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

What are the side effects of taking Xeljanz?

"Xeljanz side effects most commonly include upper respiratory tract infection, cold-like symptoms, diarrhea, rash, and headache. However, the medication can also cause more severe problems, such as serious infections, heart problems, cancer, blood clots, and death."

Answered by AI

Is Xeljanz being recalled?

"The FDA has released a statement saying that there is new evidence of heart-related problems and cancer associated with the use of Xeljanz. They are investigating whether or not a recall of the drug is necessary."

Answered by AI

What is Xeljanz used for?

"XELJANZ is a pill that is the first of its kind to treat adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, active psoriatic arthritis, active ankylosing spondylitis, and moderate to severe ulcerative colitis."

Answered by AI

What type of drug is Xeljanz?

"Tofacitinib is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor that blocks Janus kinase enzymes, which are involved in the inflammation that causes the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Tofacitinib is a long-term treatment."

Answered by AI

Is Xeljanz an immunosuppressant?

"The active ingredient in Xeljanz, tofacitinib, is an immunosuppressant that inhibits enzymes called Janus kinases."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Xeljanz

Have you considered Xeljanz clinical trials? We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Xeljanz, we think they might fit your search criteria.
Have you considered Xeljanz clinical trials? We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Xeljanz, we think they might fit your search criteria.
Have you considered Xeljanz clinical trials? We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Xeljanz, we think they might fit your search criteria.
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