Tofacitinib for Ankylosing Spondylitis User Reviews

• MD ...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 25, 2022

"I took Xeljanz XR 5 mg for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) for a year. It worked great. I was not in pain, and my eyes didn't become inflamed the whole time I was taking it. My doctor decided for whatever reason, probably because Xeljanz has some very harsh side effects, to put me on Rinvoq, another JAK inhibitor. I was on that for two months. I gained 8 lbs in those two months. My A1C jumped several points, which explains the weight gain. I was becoming diabetic on Rinvoq. I went back to Xeljanz and developed diverticulitis. At the end of that year, my A1C had also jumped up, and I am now prediabetic despite losing 15 lbs. I quit Xeljanz, vowed to never take a JAK inhibitor again, and my eyes instantly inflamed. So the drug works, but with bad side effects. And I was taking much less than the recommended dosage. Rinvoq has since been given a red flag warning as it is prone to the development of heart disease."

• Ex-...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 12, 2025

"Though I am taking it just for 1 week, but I started getting relief within 3 days. But after going through various writings, I am a bit worried, as it affects immunity."