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Xeljanz for Rheumatoid Arthritis User Reviews (Page 4)

Reviews for Xeljanz

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • HAP...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • December 11, 2024

"I have been taking Xeljanz for about 11 years now. The longer I have rheumatoid disease, then the more I forget, or have difficulty recalling exact figures/dates/times. I was never going to kick Newton off of his math perch. It took me 3 tries to pass high school algebra, yet I can still remember dialogue sequences from movies I saw 48 years ago?! Truthfully, I'd rather have my health from 48 years ago, but que sera. Since I started taking Xeljanz, I fight more with doctors who want me to stop taking it! When I have had difficulty with the paperwork being approved, let me tell you, I can feel and see it! Others can see that I haven't been taking it, just by the size of the bumps on the outsides of my wrists. I take the 5 mg pill, twice a day. I notice one and only one side effect - NOT taking it. I thank the Lord every day."

10 / 10
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  • Ski...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • October 14, 2024

"I was diagnosed with RA in 1996. Of all of the biologicals and JAK inhibitors that I’ve tried, which is many if not most, Xeljanz and Xeljanz XR are the only effective Rx. When I have stopped use, RA symptoms have returned in less than a week. Upon resuming Xeljanz, the effect was noticeable in three days. The sinusitis is annoying, but that is the only side effect that I’ve experienced."

10 / 10
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  • Ann...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • June 7, 2022

"I have had rheumatoid arthritis for 42 years and am 72 now. Before I was put on the drug Methotrexate, I would ask God not to let me wake up. Painkillers 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."

10 / 10
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Frequently asked questions

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

"When I started taking Xeljanz, I was also on Methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine (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 to 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 a low dose of 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."

7 / 10
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  • Kim...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 2, 2024

"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."

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 2, 2024

"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."

10 / 10
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  • Lef...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • November 28, 2020

"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 the hospital). I'm taking 10 mg 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#."

2 / 10
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More FAQ

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

"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."

6 / 10
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  • Bea...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • July 30, 2021

"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."

2 / 10
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  • Old...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • March 25, 2025

"I have used various biologics, but none as effective as Xeljanz. Initially, I had nausea and diarrhea for a few weeks, which disappeared and nothing else since. It is great to have a medication that keeps my pain and inflammation levels at an acceptable level. I have been on Xeljanz for about three years with no issues."

8 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 11, 2019

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

1 / 10
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50 Report
  • Tri...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • November 12, 2015

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

10 / 10
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66 Report
  • Kay...
  • June 14, 2015

"I saw a difference in about 2 days. I tried everything under the sun, this drug is awesome so far."

9 / 10
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61 Report
  • 43...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • June 11, 2017

"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."

10 / 10
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54 Report
  • Blo...
  • May 29, 2014

"Worked amazingly the first month, but then swelling and stiffness came back. I've also had hair loss."

9 / 10
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60 Report
  • Paj...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 20, 2019

"After 2 weeks, my hair began falling out. I attempted to contact the company, but they had no interest in my situation or my phone call."

1 / 10
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  • T M...
  • August 14, 2016

"Took it for about 2 months. Lost my voice, perpetual sore throat, major sinus issues. I haven't taken it for months and can't shake the burning in my throat. I have to go to an ENT. Not a safe drug."

1 / 10
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40 Report
  • Bab...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • December 8, 2019

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

2 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • September 29, 2019

"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."

2 / 10
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  • Ala...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • February 12, 2021

"Do not take this pill. Took it since it came out, I've had a lot of side effects. It is not good, stay away."

1 / 10
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23 Report
  • She...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 1, 2019

"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!"

1 / 10
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  • har...
  • January 13, 2017

"This medication caused me to have major side effects, and I do not recommend taking it to anyone."

1 / 10
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39 Report
  • Jo ...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • December 17, 2017

"Love it! Takes a while to work, but the wait is worth it."

10 / 10
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24 Report
  • Joy...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 15, 2019

"This medication gave me migraine headaches. I took this medication for four days, and I had to stop. I also had bad stomachaches. Definitely a negative experience for me."

1 / 10
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21 Report
  • Car...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 4, 2018

"Just started two weeks ago. Pain in all joints throughout the day, mild stomach cramps (feels like a ball in my stomach), horrible back pain."

3 / 10
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20 Report

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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or remove inappropriate content. Reviews appearing to come from parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any medication and should not replace the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals.

Learn more about Rheumatoid Arthritis

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