Tofacitinib for Rheumatoid Arthritis User Reviews (Page 4)

• Agnes
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 8, 2018

Xeljanz XR (tofacitinib) "Since being diagnosed with RA 6 yrs ago, I have tried what seems like every medication & combination with very little to no results. Two years ago, my rheumatologist prescribed Xeljanz in addition to the Plaquenil I was already taking. I have seen a big difference in the degree of stiffness & pain I’ve endured for so long. I still have occasional flares which I consider normal but overall I am extremely pleased. I would do a tv commercial in a heartbeat to recommend it!"

• Jack
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 20, 2020

Xeljanz (tofacitinib) "62 years old and have had RA for 22 months. Tried methotrexate pills and then injections. Next, I tried Humira injection with limited relief. Switched to Xeljanz XR and found immediate relief. I have had no known side effects except some skin rash and the rash might not be associated with Xeljanz. I am able to function in life again."

• PSA...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 29, 2022

Xeljanz (tofacitinib) "I have psoriatic arthritis and methotrexate, suphazalazine, anti inflammatory drugs, cimzia, Cosentyx all worked a little, but only took the edge off in terms of pain. I have been on and off Xeljanz (because of covid) for over 18 months. Initial reaction was good and very quick compared to other meds, a few days for results. I have recently suffered with high blood pressure for the first time, white spots/boils on my torso and legs, extreme bloating and rectal bleeding (led to an emergency colonoscopy), and general anxiety which led to a burst blood vessel in my eye. I explained all of this to my long standing and trusted Rheumy and he didn't flag any of these as linked with Xeljanz. However, I decided to stop my meds. Within a few weeks my blood pressure has returned to normal levels, my spots and boils have all cleared, I have no anxiety, chest pains have stopped and my gut has returned to normal. I can't say for sure they're all linked but I certainly won't be taking it again."

• KLT
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 6, 2022

Xeljanz (tofacitinib) "I was diagnosed 15 years ago with seropositive RA. I have literally been on every medication and combo. A few years ago I was given Xeljanz and it was pure bliss for 6 months. I felt like a normal person and very quickly! After about 6 months it suddenly lost its effect and I went back to trying new medications. Three years later and out of options I asked to go back on Xeljanz to see if enough time had passed that maybe I could get some relief for even a short period. I began taking Xeljanz XR this time and again within a week my pain and inflammation was lessening greatly. I couldn’t write more than a sentence and now I have zero struggle. I couldn’t use my right wrist and now I can use it completely. It is the 6 month mark this month and I am holding my breath that I continue on this track of amazingness. I have had no side effects, no illnesses and feel fantastic. (43 years old)"

• Nana...
• May 9, 2017

Xeljanz XR (tofacitinib) "Xeljanz XR is the first medication to truly give me relief. I has allowed me to live somewhat of a normal life! None of the biologics worked and methotrexate was a bust with lots of side effects. I've been on it for 9 months and an very happy."

• Amanda
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 19, 2022

Xeljanz (tofacitinib) "I have been taking Xeljanz for 4 months now. I have experienced less joint pain & swelling in some joints but increased significantly in other joints to the point of crying. EXTREME fatigue, dizziness, nausea and a general unwell sick feeling. I was previously on other biologics and then just on prednisone. I would much rather feel the way I felt before taking the Xeljanz. The way I feel on this drug is worse than being on nothing."

• Losin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 26, 2017

Xeljanz XR (tofacitinib) "On my 3rd week with no improvement, increased pain, swelling, and FEVER exponentially increased, (not "core" temp just "hot joints") decreased energy, frequent headache, and increased depression! I didn't know any of these things could get worse than they already were? But they have! :-( Hanging in there because mine is in every single joint and "unrelenting" I don't really have flares cuz mine is constant daily (and nightly) pain, swelling, the fever "

• MrsPaul
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 3, 2022

Xeljanz (tofacitinib) "I was hesitant to try Xeljanz. The reviews scared me to death. I decided to give it a try, and I’m glad I did. I’ve had a few sinus infections in the last year, but I stopped the Xeljanz for ten days, and antibiotics cleared it right up. I’ve had none of the terrible side effects I read about, and it’s been over a year now. My RA is close to remission. I’m thankful for this drug, and hopefully with careful monitoring, I will continue to do well on it."

• Jenny
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 24, 2020

Xeljanz (tofacitinib) "I was on prednisone for 6 mo then did Cimzia injections no improvement Xeljanz- I am on month 2 so far so good, I did develop a sinus infection but I dealt with it I am not giving up just because of that. I will keep you posted feeling good today"

• roxban
• July 16, 2017

Xeljanz XR (tofacitinib) "I have been on so many different drugs for my RA, this one has been the best one yet. I do have insurance, but the cost with insurance is still very high ($1000) a month. My doctors office helped me to help from Xeljanz to pick up the difference."

• Anne
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 7, 2022

Xeljanz (tofacitinib) "I have had rheumatoid arthritis for 42 years and am 72 now. Before I was put on the drug Methotextrate I would ask God not to let me wake up. Pain killers did no good the pain was so severe. I have been on Xeljanz for a number of years now and I can cope with my arthritis. I have a number of other problems now taking around 17 tablets a day. Xeljanz doesn't seem to have interfered with any of them and lets me enjoy life."

• Name
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 15, 2023

Xeljanz (tofacitinib) "Have been on Xeljanz for a year, and now it’s not as effective. Got a blood clot in my leg. My doctor says it's not from Xeljanz and that there’s no way of knowing. This drug has an interaction with aspirin, so if you did get a blood clot, taking aspirin wouldn’t be optimal. I told my doctor that I want to switch medications to avoid long-term problems that may develop with this drug. If you take a look at all the different medications prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis, you will see how differently they work. I am trying to figure out what to target. These drugs all work differently. Methotrexate (Mtx) was the most effective for me, but it meant one to two days in bed due to nausea. You will notice that as you continue taking it over time, you feel sicker than the week before. However, I had absolutely no pain with this drug (Mtx). I think maybe switching drugs yearly may prevent side effects."

• Nettie
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 19, 2019

"I was so worried starting this medication after all the reviews. I’ve had a few issues with cold sores and stomach issues but I’ve always had stomach issues. I have no sore joints at all from day two of starting these tablets. I’m on one a day and my joints are amazing so far fingers crossed "

• Elspeth
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 20, 2021

Xeljanz (tofacitinib) "When I started taking Xeljanz I was also on Methotrexate and hydroxychloriquin (Plaquenil). I was having GREAT results! My doctor had me slowly taper off the Plaquenil and Methotrexate and I was still doing really well. BUT, then came Covid-19 and I was told to stop the Xeljanz for two weeks prior and following my vaccinations (Moderna two shot vaccine). So, I was off Xeljanz for two months. The pain that returned was so severe. Once I could restart the Xeljanz my doctor also put me on low dose Prednisone to speed up my recovery. However, it's been 5 months back on Xeljanz and I'm only getting very, VERY minimal relief from my pain. It seems that being off Xeljanz for those two months caused my body to not react the same as before. It's very frustrating. I hope my doctor can figure out a new way forward soon. PS- I had no known side effects from taking Xeljanz ."

• Azim
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 11, 2021

"I'm 32 years old. I diagnosed with RA nearly about 12 years ago. I have been on steroid and methotrexate and used other combination of NSAIDs. But those were not doing well. So developed deformity in some fingers. Changed a few doctors. Finally my current Rheumy used a combination of sulfasalazine, leflunomide and methotrexate, which controlled my RA very well. I got complete remission for last 6 years with these medications. Quit steroid, no pain, all test reports are good, I can even run. However, recently my liver SGPT count came high, and my doctor think that this is because of the leflunomide and/or sulfasalazine. So he suggested to quit these and start taking tofacitinib (Xeljanz). But after reading these reviews I am now afraid of starting tofacitinib. What if the RA flares come back again. I don't know what to do."

• Lefty
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 28, 2020

Xeljanz (tofacitinib) "I was getting Orencia infusions for a few years and was pain free from my RA. Started on Xeljanz due to the covid situation (I didn't want to risk going to hospital.) I'm taking 10mg. twice a day. So far, I'm still barely able to function. I am hoping that it just needs to build up in my system. Male, 63, 180#."

• BeachMR
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 30, 2021

Xeljanz (tofacitinib) "Ineffective for me. While it was great not to have infusions, I had the worst flares I'd had since my onset. Huge, awful flares that steadily increased in frequency, duration and severity. Was happy to return to Remicade. I guess it works for some people, but for me it was a long, painful disaster."

• Chad
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 2, 2023

Xeljanz XR (tofacitinib) "I have severe RA. Xeljanz XR works well when I use it with 20mg methotrexate pills once weekly. I have been taking this combination for 4 years. The only bad side effect I notice is cramps in my feet occasionally, and not so occasionally in my hands. I didn't have this condition until I started using Xeljanz XR."

• lenith
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 21, 2018

"I have been taking tofacitinib for about six months. After a few weeks I started to notice that my hair was falling out. I complained and was told to stick with it but my hair is still thinning, which scares me. I now get a lot of heartburn (almost daily) and would just like to know if anyone else get these side effects from this drug?? I have RA, fibromalagia and lupus."

• Kim
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 2, 2024

Xeljanz (tofacitinib) "Worked in about 1 month. 5 mg twice a day with hydrochloroquine (plaquenil). No side effects!! I am also super sensitive to most meds, for anything! Tried Humira and Enbrel. Those BOTH I had swelling, headaches (bad), diarrhea. Just all around sick."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 2, 2024

Xeljanz (tofacitinib) "Worked in about 1 month. 5 mg twice a day with hydrochloroquine (plaquenil). No side effects!! I am also super hyper-reactions to most meds, for anything! Tried Humira and Enbrel. Those BOTH I had swelling, headaches (bad), diarrhea. Just all around sick."

• Anonymous
• August 16, 2022

"For the past three months I am taking this medicine along with wysolene. In the Month of May I had fracture in my ankle. After two months healing was not up to the expectation of the Dr. He suggested surgery After knowing that I am taking above medicine is telling now 1 since you're taking wysolene it won't allow bones to join 2 since ur taking intajac(tofacitinib) after surgery your wound will not get cured I leave the decision of taking this medicine to the users choice"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 11, 2019

Xeljanz (tofacitinib) "I took this drug for 2 weeks (5mg dose twice daily) and had a heart attack "

• Trime...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 12, 2015

Xeljanz (tofacitinib) "Been on it since 2013. Has been very effective especially against the awful fatigue and has decreased the pain dramatically."

• 43...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 11, 2017

Xeljanz (tofacitinib) "So far so good. Just like all the other medications, you have to monitor your symptoms. It took about 4-5 months for full effect. Haven't had to use prednisone since then going on 2+ years now."