Tofacitinib and Fatigue: What Users Say

• Mea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I do not recommend this drug to anyone! I have been on leflunomide for the last 4 months, and it didn’t help, so my doctor put me on Xeljanz. Immediately, I started having sinus pressure, my eyes burning, and developed bronchitis and an upper respiratory infection. The fatigue is unimaginable, and severe headaches along with body aches. My anxiety has increased to the point it’s intolerable. I ended up in the ER tonight due to the pain I was in and coughing up blood! I really just want relief from my RA symptoms, but the side effects are far worse than the RA pain itself!"

• shr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 24, 2017

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Been on Xeljanz XR 11 mg for about 10 days now. I've tried most of the infusion drugs and methotrexate, and none have worked. It's a little early to tell for sure, but I think it's helping. I don't have typical RA, no flares, I am in a constant flare. No coming and going, unfortunately. I also have whole body swelling, lucky me. But I am noticing a slight reduction in swelling. I had gone up a full ring and shoe size. Today I could get on a ring I haven't been able to wear in years... yay! I have had some strange side effects: extreme fatigue, depression, skin crawling, and a little paranoia. Not typical for me, and I don't think for this drug either. I seem to always have the rare side effects with all medications. I'm hopeful though."

• Deb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 10, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "This medication does help with my arthritis symptoms, but the side effects are chronic fatigue, stomach pain, and diarrhea. After being on it for just two weeks, I don't think I will stay on this medication. I can do nothing but sleep all day. I have tried several medications, and only one worked somewhat that didn't cause fatigue, but it didn't stop the pain. However, because I got migraines, I couldn't increase the medication. Leflunomide may be my only choice. Desperate."

• Com...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 8, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was on the Xeljanz for rheumatoid arthritis and had side effects of stomach pain, fatigue, and also no reduction in joint pain. I envy those who find relief from their symptoms, I am glad it helps you."

• Big...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 8, 2019

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I have been taking this medication for about 6 weeks. I am on my 4th medication for psoriatic arthritis (PA). I feel worse on this medication than all the others. I have been robbed of a whole year of my life trying all these medications. The fatigue is so bad I cannot even go to work. I have had a venous Doppler because they thought the tingling in my legs was a blood clot. No, it was a side effect of the Xeljanz XR. I was put on Lasix to help with water retention due to the Xeljanz, and I was even sicker. I want to get better, not add more medications that make me sicker and a whole lot more uncomfortable. I have stopped this medication, and I am seriously thinking about not trying any biologicals. The medication is worse than the disease. I have been dealing with PA for about 15 years, and no amount of pain is as bad as the side effects and inability to have a life."

• Ama...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 19, 2022

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been taking Xeljanz for 4 months now. I have experienced less joint pain and 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."

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

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "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 'cause mine is constant daily (and nightly) pain, swelling, the fever."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 9, 2023

For Ulcerative Colitis "I’ve been taking Xeljanz for just over a year. I’ve been through all the other biologic meds since I was diagnosed 12 years ago. Stelara was the last one I tried, and it didn’t work at all. My fecal calprotectin was over 8,000 when I started Xeljanz, and after 3 months, it was down to 22, which I think is the best it’s ever been. So, Xeljanz is definitely working. The downside to that are the side effects. It started with fatigue and headaches for the first month or so, then progressed to stomach pain, burning, loss of appetite, nausea, and diarrhea. I thought maybe it wasn’t working and I was flaring again, but my calprotectin was even lower than before. I’ve also developed high cholesterol and high blood pressure (never had that before in my life). It’s making me feel absolutely horrible, I have all the flare symptoms without the flare! Now I have to decide if I should keep taking it or not, I don’t have many options left :("

• Fre...
• December 12, 2021

For Ulcerative Colitis "Using Xeljanz for UC 10 mg 2x a day about 4 months. Good results right away within days. Fatigue in the beginning slowly getting better. Weight gain, but not sure if I can blame the drug. Some nausea in the morning. I now know what foods to avoid. Four months in and no real bad side effects."

• Bab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 8, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Chronic fatigue, aches, pain, and feeling sick and toxic without much change. The first couple of months created more problems than improvement."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 29, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Xeljanz for arthritis has caused stomach aches so bad I'm crying in pain. Feel very weak and fatigued all the time. Very bad back pain and blood pressure very high."

• She...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 1, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Extreme stomach upset after 2 weeks. Almost ended up in the ER last night due to pain. I am discontinuing immediately. Also hated the fatigue. No thanks!"

• She...
• January 7, 2018

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I found that Xeljanz didn't help my pain as much as Actemra injections, and the fatigue was still awful."