Tofacitinib and High Blood Pressure: What Users Say

• RAW...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 18, 2020

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "This drug, like so many RA drugs, is awful and may be the end of you. I was on this drug and was promised the doctor only had one failure? Did that mean death? I have a history of heart disease on both sides of my family. Within one week, my blood pressure was up by more than 20 points, I had palpitations, and was sick all the time due to stomach complaints. This is one of many RA 'drugs' I have tried, with limited to no effect except worsening pre-existing conditions. Get a clue, doctors. Prescribing steroids like prednisone, which only lead to further bone degeneration in a population with this problem? Doctors do not know what they are doing. Remember, there is no cure for RA. Do not trust your doctor. That is my advice. They do not have time to deal with you, they have patients booked back to back due to insurance. You are lucky if they really know your name without your chart or nurse telling them."

• Pat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 25, 2020

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Been taking Xeljanz XR for almost 2 years with not much pain relief, plus much back and upper right quadrant pressure. Now I’m taking pills for increased liver counts and high blood pressure and sinus meds to try to breathe. I’ve had a shingles outbreak and it’s damaged my nerves in my right pectoral area. It’s impossible to shut out the pounding and ringing in my ears. Insomnia despite sleeping pills. Oh, and I gained around 40 pounds without changing my diet, clean eating. Tingling hands and feet. Only mild pain relief for a very short time, along with all the negative effects. Now I have to take care of my liver and blood pressure along with all the other things that went downhill while on Xeljanz XR."

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

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have psoriatic arthritis and methotrexate, sulfasalazine, 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 longstanding 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."

• 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 :("

• 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."

• Deb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 30, 2024

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I’ve been taking Xeljanz XR 11 mg for 3 months. It has controlled my RA symptoms well. It did raise my blood pressure, requiring a new bp pill, but a great benefit is my hair stopped falling out!"