Xeljanz and Diarrhea: What Users Say

• Jar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2019

For Ulcerative Colitis "Xeljanz has been a miracle drug for me. Finally, after almost two years of horrible pain, severe diarrhea, etc., I have a life again. I have tried so many pills, enemas, suppositories, biologics, and everything failed me. The reason I rated it a 9 instead of 10 is because I still have an occasional day that I’m not doing well, but I was in pain and had diarrhea EVERY DAY 20 plus times a day before Xeljanz. I never thought I would be so excited to say I finally have solid stool. Xeljanz started to work for me within two weeks and is still working to this day. I have been on it for four months. I highly recommend this medicine."

• 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."

• Ade...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 27, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I had to stop Xeljanz due to severe intestinal pain and diarrhea, but I was on it for about 8 months, and that's when it started. So now going back to my doctor to see if there is something else I can take."

• PPe...
• October 14, 2017

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "After taking this medication for a few weeks, I began experiencing really dark urine and diarrhea, as well as pain in my stomach. My doctor instructed me to go off the medication immediately. My symptoms began to subside. It was a painful experience. I won't be taking this medication again."

• Sun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 2, 2020

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I am on 11 mg Xeljanz for RA, and it has only been five days. I had diarrhea several times a day since starting it. I really hope that goes away, or I will have to stop it. My upper body is really hurting since starting this medication. Nothing is helping. I take pain medication, methotrexate, and prednisone also. The pain isn’t subsiding."

• 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 :("

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

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "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

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "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."

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

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "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."

• man...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 3, 2019

For Ulcerative Colitis "I have been taking Xeljanz for my ulcerative colitis for 2 months now, it stops the blood but I am still having diarrhea around 6 to 8 times a day."