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General Medication Fact Sheet for Xeljanz
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Medication Name | Xeljanz |
| Generic Name | Tofacitinib |
| Boxed/Label Warning | Increased risk of serious infections (bacterial, fungal, viral), lymphoma and other malignancies, thrombosis, and mortality. |
| Purpose | Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis, and polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis. |
| Mechanism of Action | Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor; interferes with JAK-STAT signaling pathway, reducing inflammation. |
| Dosage Forms | Oral tablets, extended-release tablets |
| Available Strengths | 5 mg, 10 mg, 11 mg (extended-release) |
| Dosage Frequency | Twice daily (immediate-release), Once daily (extended-release), as prescribed by your doctor |
| Common Side Effects | Upper respiratory tract infections, headache, diarrhea, nausea, high blood pressure |
| Serious Side Effects | Serious infections, blood clots, cancer, liver problems, gastrointestinal perforations |
| Drug Interactions | Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors/inducers (e.g., ketoconazole, rifampin), immunosuppressants (e.g., cyclosporine), certain biologics. |
| Important Notes | Inform your doctor about any infections or history of infections. Avoid live vaccines. Monitor for signs of blood clots. |
| Storage | Store at room temperature away from moisture and light. |
| Missed Dose | Take as soon as you remember; skip if it’s almost time for your next dose. Do not double the dose. |
| Alternatives | Humira (adalimumab), Enbrel (etanercept), Methotrexate, Rinvoq (upadacitinib) |
Xeljanz Alternatives
| Medication | Mechanism of Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Humira (adalimumab) | TNF-alpha inhibitor | Biologic DMARD; administered via subcutaneous injection. |
| Enbrel (etanercept) | TNF-alpha inhibitor | Biologic DMARD; administered via subcutaneous injection. |
| Methotrexate | Antimetabolite and DMARD | Conventional DMARD; often used as a first-line treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. |
| Rinvoq (upadacitinib) | Selective JAK1 inhibitor | Another oral JAK inhibitor for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. |
Xeljanz Side Effects
| Common Side Effects | Serious Side Effects |
|---|---|
| Upper respiratory tract infections | Serious infections (pneumonia, cellulitis, herpes zoster) |
| Headache | Blood clots (pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis) |
| Diarrhea | Cancer (lymphoma, lung cancer) |
| Nausea | Liver problems |
| High blood pressure | Gastrointestinal perforations |
Xeljanz Dosage Guide
| Condition | Starting Dose | Maintenance Dose | Administration Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rheumatoid Arthritis | 5 mg twice daily | 5 mg twice daily or 11 mg extended-release once daily | May be used as monotherapy or with Methotrexate or other nonbiologic DMARDs. |
| Psoriatic Arthritis | 5 mg twice daily | 5 mg twice daily or 11 mg extended-release once daily | May be used as monotherapy or with Methotrexate or other nonbiologic DMARDs. |
| Ulcerative Colitis | 10 mg twice daily | 5 mg or 10 mg twice daily (depending on response and tolerability) | For induction and maintenance of remission. |
| Polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis | Dose based on weight, consult doctor | Dose based on weight, consult doctor | For patients 2 years of age and older. |
Xeljanz Price With And Without Insurance
| Purchase Context | Estimated Price |
|---|---|
| With Insurance | $2000 – $3800 |
| Without Insurance (U.S.) | $5000 – 12,000 |
| From CPS | $1000 |
