Xeljanz XR User Reviews & Ratings
Xeljanz XR has an average rating of 6.1 out of 10 from a total of 17 reviews on Drugs.com. 56% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 38% reported a negative experience.
| Condition | Avg. Rating | Reviews | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psoriatic Arthritis | 3 reviews for Psoriatic Arthritis | 84 medications | |
| Rheumatoid Arthritis | 14 reviews for Rheumatoid Arthritis | 372 medications | |
| Add your review | |||
Reviews for Xeljanz XR
- jk0117
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- June 28, 2020
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I’ve been on Xeljanz XR for 2.5-3 months now and the difference is night and day. I used to have weekly flares, but now I haven’t had a major flare ever since I started taking it. I still have some low-level pain and stiffness but I am far better off and I now have a quality of life that I was lacking before. It’s so nice to be able to do the things I enjoy again."
- mamab...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- August 12, 2019
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I've been on Xeljanx Xr almost 3 months with no relief for my arthritis. Still need to take prednisone (10 mg daily) for pain. First few weeks were horrible with constant headache, stomach ache. Still get a stomach ache a few hours after taking it. Cholesterol levels have increased and I have night sweats. I will be switching to a plant-based diet and taking myself off this medication. I see there are now lawsuits regarding this med...be careful."
Frequently asked questions
- What are the new drugs for rheumatoid arthritis (RA)?
- What are JAK inhibitors and how do they work?
- Which JAK inhibitors are approved in the U.S?
- Is Xeljanz an immunosuppressant?
- Patri...
- 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 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."
- BPosi...
- August 20, 2017
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Along with starting XELJANZ XR I've changed my entire diet. Taking on this fight to put myself in remission so that I don't have to live my life with needles, infusions, severe pain, I wanted to find my own path to remove the inflammation, joint pain out of my body. Today has been three successful weeks of living on a plant based diet I've discovered ((it's what we put in our bodies)) that's got us so sick. You must change your diet today. This medication is working! after trying infusions, injections, 7 different pills a day and I still couldn't move, enough of that! This is the best I've ever felt In four years. This medication and diet have changed my life."
Are you taking this medicine?
- Pratt
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- January 9, 2019
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I've been taking Xeljanz XR for over 3 months and have found much relief from morning stiffness, pain and inflammation. I almost never need to use prescribed pain medications, I sleep soundly, and am almost back to pre-RA workouts! I have had to discontinue daily dosages on occasion, due to colds and flu, and I cannot seem to get rid of sinus congestion and discharge, but the trade off is worth it."
- Audene
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- May 26, 2018
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I’ve been taking Xeljanz XR for 5 weeks. So far it is helping me immensely. My pain is 70% decreased and my energy is 70% increased. This is the best I’ve felt in 7 years. I am cautiously optimistic, so far I haven’t had any negative side effects except I have gained 6 pounds but I think the weight increase has stopped. I’ve been blessed with a copay card so the expense isn’t an issue. I’m so glad I asked my rheumatologist to prescribe it!"
More FAQ
- Agnes
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- March 8, 2018
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Since being diagnosed with RA 6 yrs ago, I have tried what seems like every medication & combination with very little to no results. Two years ago, my rheumatologist prescribed Xeljanz in addition to the Plaquenil I was already taking. I have seen a big difference in the degree of stiffness & pain I’ve endured for so long. I still have occasional flares which I consider normal but overall I am extremely pleased. I would do a tv commercial in a heartbeat to recommend it!"
- Big...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- September 8, 2019
For Psoriatic Arthritis "I have been taking this medication for about 6 weeks. I am on my 4th medication for Psoriatic arthritis ( PA). I feel worse on this medication than all the others. I have been robbed of a whole year of my life trying all these medications. The fatigue is so bad I cannot even go to work. I have had a Venus doplar because they thought the tingling in my legs was a blood clot. No, it was a side effect of the Xeljanz XR. I was put on Lasix to help with water retention due to the Xeljanz and I was even sicker. I want to get better not add more medications that make me sicker and a whole lot more uncomfortable. I have stopped this medication and I am seriously thinking about not trying any biological. The medication is worse than the disease. I have been dealing with PA for about 15 years and no amount of pain is as bad as the side affects and inability to have a life."
- Nana...
- May 9, 2017
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Xeljanz XR is the first medication to truly give me relief. I has allowed me to live somewhat of a normal life! None of the biologics worked and methotrexate was a bust with lots of side effects. I've been on it for 9 months and an very happy."
- Losin...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- September 26, 2017
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "On my 3rd week with no improvement, increased pain, swelling, and FEVER exponentially increased, (not "core" temp just "hot joints") decreased energy, frequent headache, and increased depression! I didn't know any of these things could get worse than they already were? But they have! :-( Hanging in there because mine is in every single joint and "unrelenting" I don't really have flares cuz mine is constant daily (and nightly) pain, swelling, the fever "
- roxban
- July 16, 2017
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been on so many different drugs for my RA, this one has been the best one yet. I do have insurance, but the cost with insurance is still very high ($1000) a month. My doctors office helped me to help from Xeljanz to pick up the difference."
- Skye
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- October 22, 2019
For Psoriatic Arthritis "I was on Xeljanz for 2 months. I had to quit taking it when I realized it was making me extremely depressed. My rheumatologist put me on Taltz and after a week I can already see major improvement to my psoriasis. I also have PSA and my joints are not quite as stiff. Unfortunately most medications work for me but my body builds a resistance to them after a while. This is the 8th medication I have been on for my PSA. Fingers crossed that it's the last."
- VMB
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- January 21, 2024
For Psoriatic Arthritis "I tried 5 PsA medications with absolutely NO relief, experimenting for three years in agony trying to find the right medication. Xeljanz XR was the first one I tried that I found any relief. I guess everyone is different and responds differently with different medications, but Xeljanz XR has been a godsend to me. I felt relief starting after the second dose! I have no side effects. There is a greater risk of infection with Xeljanz XR, so anytime you get an illness such as UTI or sinus infection, you need to stop taking it until you are over it. But I am so very thankful that I found an effective medicine like Xeljanz. I finally found relief!! One pill once a day, and I'm good to go!!"
- Chad
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- December 2, 2023
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have severe RA. Xeljanz XR works well when I use it with 20mg methotrexate pills once weekly. I have been taking this combination for 4 years. The only bad side effect I notice is cramps in my feet occasionally, and not so occasionally in my hands. I didn't have this condition until I started using Xeljanz XR."
- butte...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- August 30, 2018
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "XELIJANZ XR Gave me my life back. I could tell a difference after taking the first pill."
- Sunsh...
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- July 14, 2021
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was on xeljanz ,mtx for 1 yr and it did not work for me."
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.
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For Rheumatoid Arthritis "This drug Xeljanz has worked incredibly well, however, 7 months after taking the medication I was diagnosed the hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) . It may be a coincidence but the doctors are baffled as to “why” because I meet none of the criteria. My liver function tests and bilirubin are all good but I have multiple tumors throughout my liver which, means I am not a candidate for transplant. This has been a tremendous shock for my entire family. I have stopped the Xeljanz in hopes that the tumors will stop multiplying and am hopeful the planned treatments get me to a place where transplant is an option."