Xeljanz and Headaches: 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!"

• Rob...
• August 28, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Same as many others. First two months were terrific. Inflammation and joint pain nearly all gone. Great energy. Felt years younger. Then came the throat/sinus infections with headaches and increased blood pressure. The latter scared me the most. Quit taking drug and called doctor. It’s sad. This drug holds so much promise but if it turns on you, look out."

• yer...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 29, 2015

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "This drug had almost a methamphetamine effect on me. I could almost feel my blood going through my veins. Couldn't think straight. Had extreme pressure in my eyeballs, headaches, and couldn't sleep. Went to a half dose with no change in symptoms. Went off of it 4 days ago, and all of the negative symptoms have disappeared."

• SHE...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 7, 2020

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Woke up with a severe migraine the morning after starting treatment. Took it for 4 weeks, headaches constantly, like my head and eyes were in a vice. Backache. Nausea burning in stomach, chest, and throat. Stopped after 6, as I couldn't stand it anymore, quality of life was zero by then."

• Tro...
• May 24, 2017

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been taking Xeljanz for RA for a few months. It has really helped my RA, however, I have recently developed severe diverticulitis and migraines. I have had major abdominal pain, constant nausea, and almost nightly headaches (many of which are migraines). I am attributing this to the Xeljanz, and I plan to discontinue it immediately."

• Dum...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 20, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Started in November and started great. Blood work showed great improvement, and I only had headaches and nausea, but from there, it was all downhill. I got shingles, my skin broke out in painful acne, my headaches got worse, my lungs would burn every morning with coughing, running nose, sneezing, and I had no energy. I’d fall asleep on my couch every night with no warning. I got multiple cold sores, which I hadn’t had in years, and that’s when my rheumatologist took me off of it. They think it destroyed my immune system. I’ve been off it for a few days, and my cold sores are gone, my energy is up, and I overall feel much better. We may go back to a low dose as I’m running out of treatment options, and I’m only 29, but I don’t know if it’s worth it."

• RA2...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 10, 2015

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I took one day of medicine. The next day, I had a full-blown sinus/upper respiratory irritation. Headache, fever, the whole nine yards. Five days later, I am still fighting the effects of a cold/infection. I have been taking Arava for 18 months and have not had one infection. The only reason I tried this is because the gastrointestinal problems with Arava are bothersome. There are new biologics heading to the market that, based on the first two phases, are safer and more effective than all these that are currently on the market. I will wait for the new ones."

• net...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 6, 2018

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Xeljanz started working by the first week. I felt a surge of energy and was able to get out of bed and walk with very little pain and stiffness. I am on my 6th week, and I feel better than I have since I was diagnosed with RA. So far, my side effects are upset stomach, headaches, tiredness, and insomnia. So far, so good. I pray it continues to work with little to no side effects. My insurance only covers a portion, but with the copay card, I have no copay. This drug gives me hope. I am able to get more cleaning and chores done since I have been on this drug."

• Con...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 15, 2021

For Ulcerative Colitis "Was diagnosed with UC in 2012, that was after 2 years of trying to self-diagnose myself. Been on so many different meds. I've been on this medication for about 3 months, 10 mg, 2 times a day, and I have to say it's been a ride. I was going to the bathroom a lot. Now I'm not going at all. Every week I have to take laxatives because I'm not going to the bathroom at all. It's causing weight gain. I'm extremely tired now as well. I can't keep my eyes open. I was driving my husband and me home and was almost in an accident as it hit me all of a sudden. Pulled over so he could drive, but imagine what it would be like if I was alone. I'm so uncomfortable, and the nausea and headache are unbearable. I work from home so it helps to step away from the computer, but I'll say my symptoms on the meds aren't getting me anywhere I need to be."

• Ali...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 11, 2019

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I took one dose of this medication, and within one hour, both of my arms went completely numb. Numbness and tingling started in my lips and jaw. The next two nights, I woke up in the night with complete numbness again in my arms, which took 30 minutes to return to tingling. Numbness and tingling have continued through this whole week, in my feet and ankles, and lips and arms, even though I stopped taking it after the one disaster dose. Headaches and eye inflammation started three days after stopping use of this drug. I hope I can be symptom-free soon, and without lasting neurological effects. This was (and still is) an utterly frightening experience. I wouldn't recommend this drug to anyone."

• Ouc...
• September 16, 2019

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I was put on this medication 2 months ago. I wasn't sure at first how much it helped for my arthritis (psoriatic) because I was put on prednisone. Now I'm off the prednisone, and my joints hurt so bad. My skin psoriasis is slowly getting better, but my fingers have gone back to hurting, hips, knees, back. It gives me daily headaches. It helps me more than Humira and Enbrel, but I'm still experiencing pain and swelling."

• 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."

• Tro...
• April 1, 2016

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Headache, pain on backbone, stomach, trouble sleeping, feeling tired."