Xeljanz User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)
Xeljanz has an average rating of 5.7 out of 10 from a total of 145 reviews on Drugs.com. 43% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 40% reported a negative experience.
Reviews for Xeljanz
- Com...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- May 8, 2019
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was on the Xeljanz for rheumatoid arthritis and had side effects of stomach pain, fatigue, and also no reduction in joint pain. I envy those who find relief from their symptoms, I am glad it helps you."
- mta...
- September 3, 2016
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Methotrexate was damaging my lungs (fibrous complications), so my rheumatologist put me on 5 mg Xeljanz twice daily. The Humira/Methotrexate combination I was using previously worked very well for me, except for the lung problems. I've been using the Xeljanz for about a month, and it's not been good. My hands and feet hurt a lot more and all the time. I see my doctor in a couple of weeks, so I'm hoping he can come up with something more effective."
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?
- What happens when you stop taking Xeljanz?
- Ann...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- January 28, 2019
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "It's been almost two months on this medication. Stomach issues, but I've always had stomach issues. No relief from pain, in fact, it's been worse, and I've had to get back on prednisone to knock the pain out. I'm off and on Pred for three or four days to see if this drug is working, but I don't think so because every time I get off the prednisone, the pain rolls in again, and prednisone does not even seem as effective as in the past."
- pat...
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- March 4, 2021
For Ulcerative Colitis "Life saver for me since I started using it 2 years ago, it took a few weeks to a month to finally get me under control, but once that happened, it has been really good. I was very sick and now in remission. I only hope it stays this way. Just remember that it took a year and a half on prednisone and other drugs to keep me somewhat healthy, and that it only took this a month and a half to get me back to where I could leave the house and not be scared."
Are you taking this medicine?
Your review helps others make informed decisions.- 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."
- Tro...
- August 20, 2016
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Been on this med for at least a year, the joint pain has dramatically improved with no ill side effects. Was on Humira prior to Xeljanz, that provided me little or no relief, not to mention sticking myself every two weeks. This little pill twice a day has helped bunches."
More FAQ
- How long does Xeljanz take to work?
- Does Xeljanz cause hair loss?
- Can I drink alcohol while taking Xeljanz?
- What is Xeljanz used for and is it a biologic?
- rev...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- August 11, 2020
For Ulcerative Colitis "I've had a huge flare of Ulcerative Colitis for 2 years now. Used very different types of medicines. After using infliximab for half a year (which didn't help at all), I ended up in the hospital for a dexamethasone infusion for a few days. After taking prednisone for several months, I started on Xeljanz 2 x 10 mg. I have to say, my UC is improving every day! No more blood in my stool within a month, but my stool is still a bit restless with gas, sometimes diarrhea, and mucus. It takes a while for it to work properly, the experts say (because the colon was so damaged). But it has already improved from going to the toilet 30 times a day to sleeping 5 times a night! After 3 months on 2 x 10 mg, I will soon be on 5 mg twice daily. The only side effect is that you gain (a little) weight and also get tired (but that is a side effect of all these types of medicines). Bottom Line: The best-acting drug for my UC so far."
- Jul...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- January 7, 2017
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I could tell it was going to work from the second day and had a wonderful 6 or so pain-free weeks until it started to stop working. Having bad flares again at the 2-month mark-swelling seems to still be slightly controlled, but pain and stiffness are bad and about to turn to prednisone."
- Rox...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- February 28, 2019
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Xeljanz XR was very effective for all of my RA symptoms. It did take a few weeks to really notice the effectiveness, but by then I was also congested and had a sore throat. I finally had to discontinue due to reoccurring sinus congestion and sore throat."
- Anonymous
- Taken for less than 1 month
- June 3, 2019
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I've been on this for almost a month. I have the worst joint pain and flare-ups since I've been on this. I love getting my Remicade infusions, they worked wonderfully, but unfortunately, it raised my liver enzymes very high. I'm not sure how much longer I should wait to notify the doctor that I don't think the stuff is working."
- 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."
- 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."
- mre...
- Taken for 5 to 10 years
- January 23, 2025
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have been on Xeljanz-XR 11 mg for 5 years. My RA has been so wonderful: no pain, no swelling in the joints. It has given my life back. Also, I'm a single mom with 2 kids and very busy. I'm able to work full time. I'm not in pain. I can take walks with no pain! Thank you for making the drug that gives my life back!"
- Pep...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- December 10, 2020
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was diagnosed with RA when I was 15 years old, I am now 22. I started Xeljanz after trying methotrexate (pill form) and Enbrel (injectable). I’m trying to find an arthritis medication that is in pill form rather than injection. I was only on Xeljanz for about 4 months and did not have any noticeable improvement. What did happen was my face broke out in what appeared to be acne. Before this medication, I never had issues with my skin, never had to use any special products. At first, I thought it was due to having to wear a face mask 10 hours a day at my job (due to COVID), but as soon as I stopped the Xeljanz, my skin went back to normal. I was really disappointed as methotrexate did a similar thing to my skin but not as bad. Now I am trying Arava and hoping for the best."
- 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."
- hop...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- September 19, 2018
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was diagnosed 11 years ago with psoriatic RA. I have tried several different medications. I am trying Xeljanz for the first time, it's been 4 weeks. The three things I have noticed are that I have pain in my back, dark-colored urine, and muscle stiffness. My doctor thinks the side effects will dissipate after a couple of months. I am hopeful and running out of medication options."
- Kwr...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- September 16, 2017
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I went off Enbrel due to fungal and other bad infections. My body and brain sped up on withdrawal for a month. My RA doctor recommended trying Xeljanz almost 2 years later. My arthritis got worse, and I had most of the same symptoms within one and a half months. I went off, and I had worse side effects of a speeding brain for over three months, which included one month of psychiatric inpatient treatment for withdrawal. Does Xeljanz stand behind their drug? Will I be compensated for the results? I hope to start working again in the next month or so. These two drugs have greatly impacted my health and working ability."
- Dee...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- December 30, 2019
For Ulcerative Colitis "I had a flare of ulcerative colitis due to life stress. Was bleeding again. Xeljanz at a dose of 10 mg per day, it took 3 days to start getting no blood in stool. Quite amazing. I do have an ear infection though that I got from my small daughter, so I'm taking precaution. Will follow up in a few months."
- Dee...
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- November 8, 2020
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Have been taking Xeljanz for RA for over 2 years. It has changed my life, pain and fatigue are greatly diminished. I am 68 and probably more active than most women my age. I have had two total knee replacements, which helped greatly with activity, too."
- Tha...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- June 21, 2018
For Psoriatic Arthritis "I was diagnosed with psoriasis at 19 and started experiencing PsA symptoms at 32 (now 37). A few months ago, my arthritis spread and flared horribly, and the stiffness in the morning became unbearable. I broke down and finally made an appointment to see a rheumatologist. The first medication he prescribed for me is Xeljanz, and after a month and a half, I’ve probably seen an 80% improvement in my condition, with morning stiffness all but eliminated. I do still have some lingering issues with a few finger joints and the back of my feet, but hopefully, those will get better with time. I haven’t noticed any side effects thus far into taking the medicine. Unfortunately, I wished it would have had a bigger impact on my psoriasis. Patches are still red, but the scales do not grow near as thick. Once again, this could get better with time. Overall, I’ve been extremely happy with Xeljanz thus far and would highly recommend you give it a try for your PsA."
- Flo...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- June 10, 2020
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Took Xeljanz for 2.5 months. Got a UTI (urinary tract infection), then a yeast infection. Then another UTI, vaginal infection, and yeast. This is still going on regularly for one year after quitting this drug. My immune system is compromised now. But my inflammation is gone. Now I have to worry about chronic infections and possibly a really bad virus. Xeljanz is dangerous, and I only took it for 2.5 months. I'm 61, female, 130 lbs, average. No other health issues except inherited high cholesterol."
- 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."
- Kit...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- August 27, 2018
For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Started Xeljanz last Wednesday, and now today is Monday. I have the worst pain in my stomach after I take it, and I feel so depressed. I didn't see the depression in the leaflet as a side effect. I taken in the past Humira, Enbrel, Cimzia, Plaquenil, and Methotrexate-all made me sick and my asthma worse. The Plaquenil made me itch so bad, I got skin infections/cellulitis. The best was Remicade infusions. That did beautifully until I got an infection that landed me in the hospital."
- Ros...
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- February 6, 2020
For Ulcerative Colitis "I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC) in 2012 after losing 20 lbs and going to the restroom a lot. I was extremely dehydrated. After I got out of the hospital, I was put on Asacol and prednisone. I finally got into remission. After that time, I started smoking cigarettes. I was in remission for 5 years without any medication. I decided to stop smoking, and it threw me into a HUGE flare-up with multiple BMs and blood. I tried Humira, and that made things worse, Imuran gave me pancreatitis, and Entyvio worked for a month, then stopped working. I started Xeljanz last year with 10 mg twice daily. It was working well, and then my doctor lowered my dose to 10 mg a day. I have been in a flare-up since. However, he put me on prednisone, and it helped, but it's tapering off, and so my flare-up is coming back. Other than Remicade, I'm not sure what my other options are now?"
Are you taking this medicine?
Your review helps others make informed decisions.More about Xeljanz (tofacitinib)
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Pricing & coupons
- Drug images
- Latest FDA alerts (4)
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- Patient tips
- During pregnancy
- Support group
- FDA approval history
- Drug class: antirheumatics
- Breastfeeding
- En español
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."