Xeljanz is a drug marketed as an anti-inflammatory. It’s used to treat arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.
Xeljanz, a medication used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, is associated with an increased risk of cancer. The drug has been linked to heart attacks and blood clots. Read more in detail here: xeljanz side effects cancer.
What is the meaning of Xeljanz?
Pfizer’s Xeljanz and Xeljanz XR (tofacitinib) are prescription drugs authorized for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other “rheumatic disorders.”
These conditions, according to the World Health Organization, include:
- Osteoarthritis
- Disorders of the spine
- Trauma to the limbs is severe.
Xeljanz study from 2021 revealed that the medication may even benefit COVID-19 patients by lowering the risk of respiratory failure and mortality.
Xeljanz inhibits the enzymes known as Janus kinases (JAKs) and psoriatic arthritis in the patient’s immune system. These enzymes have a role in the joint inflammation that RA sufferers experience.
In 2017, the prescription medication was authorized to treat psoriatic arthritis, and in 2018, it was approved to treat ulcerative colitis.
Pfizer stands to profit handsomely from RA and other patients who use Xeljanz. According to Healthline, by 2023, the business expects to make $18.2 billion in profit. Doctors who are trying to discover therapeutic alternatives for patients with RA or psoriatic arthritis who are not responding to conventional treatments are turning to this medication.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: What Is It?
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune illness that affects the joint lining, causing bone degradation and deformity. According to Healthline, one of the defining features of RA is that joint deterioration occurs on both sides of the body, which is one of the disease’s differentiating traits when compared to other forms of arthritis.
The following are some of the signs and symptoms of RA:
- Joint discomfort
- Stiffness of the joints
- Swelling of the joints
- Joints afflicted suffer from a loss of function.
- Deformities of the joints
It may damage the circulatory system, heart, lungs, and eyes, in addition to joint issues.
Why Was Xeljanz Approved for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis?
The FDA authorized Xeljanz as an alternative to methotrexate for those with psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis who were having trouble taking it.
Tofacitinib, on the other hand, was only authorized by the FDA to be taken twice a day at a dosage of 5 mg. Only ulcerative colitis patients were given the 10 mg dosage.
FDA Safety Communications and Boxed Warnings for Xeljanz
The FDA ordered Pfizer to undertake a research study to assess the safety of Xeljanz at various dosages — specifically, 5 mg twice day or 10 mg twice daily — when it was first authorized to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis in 2012.
According to the FDA, individuals receiving a 10 mg twice day dosage of Xeljanz had a greater risk of blood clots in the clinical study. Pulmonary embolisms, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and even mortality may result from blood clots in the lungs.
Following the publication of the Xeljanz clinical study, the FDA published a medication safety communication in July 2019 regarding the possibility for blood clots and authorized its most conspicuous Boxed Warning to inform patients about the Xeljanz risk.
In February 2021, the FDA published a new medication safety statement, alerting Xeljanz patients of an elevated risk of heart issues and cancer, as demonstrated in another safety clinical study.
Keep in mind that you should not stop taking any medications without first seeing your doctor.
Read more:
Xeljanz is a medicine that is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. It has been known to cause some side effects, such as heart problems, blood clots, and cancer. The reviews of the drug are mixed. Reference: xeljanz side effects reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Xeljanz cause heart problems?
A: Unfortunately, Xeljanz is not considered to cause heart problems. This drug has been well tested and shown to be safe for the majority of people that take it.
Who should not take Xeljanz?
A: Xeljanz is currently not recommended for use in patients with active infections, as it can increase the risk of a potentially fatal infection. It also appears to have different effects depending on what your immune system looks like; some people may experience side-effects while others dont seem to be affected at all. Your doctor will know best if this medication is right for you or not.
Is there a black box warning on Xeljanz?
A: There are no black box warnings on Xeljanz.
Related Tags
- xeljanz cancer
- how long can you stay on xeljanz
- xeljanz complaints
- xeljanz side effects hair growth
- xeljanz, fda warning 2021