Tofacitinib uses and its side effects

• Tofacitinib is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) when other treatments do not work.
• It is also used to treat active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) when other medicines do not work.
• This can be also recommended to used in the treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) when other medicines do not work 

What Tofacitinib does? 

The drug is believed in order to interfere with the activity of an enzyme known as Janus kinase (JAK), which mainly activates other cellular components that normally initiate the immune response in the body. By reducing the immune response xeljanz 5 mg reduces the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. It also reduces the sign and symptoms of ulcerative colitis.

Serious Warning and Precautions: Xeljanz is basically a kind of drug which is responsible in order to affect the immune system and can decrease the ability of the body to fight off infections such as TB (tuberculosis), and other infections that caused by fungi, bacteria, or viruses that can spread throughout the body. These infections can be responsible for death or hospitalization. Most patients who developed these infections were taking other medicines that make it harder to fight infections at the same time such as methotrexate or corticosteroids. You should not be using it if you have any sort of infection related disease.

• If a serious infection develops, do not take it, and immediately discuss with your doctor.
• Your doctor will closely monitor you for the signs and symptoms of infection during and after the treatment with this medicine.
• Lymphoma, some other cancers and also other serious events have been observed in patients who were treated with the Xeljanz
• Blood clots in the veins of your legs or arms (deep vein thrombosis, DVT), arteries (arterial thrombosis) or lungs (pulmonary embolism, PE) can happen in some people with this drug. This may be life-threatening.
• If you develop any signs or symptoms of a blood clot in your leg (such as swelling, pain or tenderness in the leg) or in your lung (such as sudden unexplained chest pain or shortness of breath) stop Tofacitinib and seek immediate medical help.

Interactions with this medication: It is crucial that your healthcare professional be aware about all the drugs or medications you are consuming prior to initiating the xeljanz including biologics such as CimziaTM, Enbrel, Cosentyx, Humira, Kineret, Remicade, Orencia, Rituxan, Entyvio, SimponiTM, and Stelara.

• Tell your healthcare team if you are consuming immunosuppressants (e.g. azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, tacrolimus, sirolimus, cyclosporine), antiarrhythmics, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, cholinesterase inhibitors, HIV protease inhibitors, rifampin, ketoconazole, fluconazole. 
• Tell your pharmacist or doctor if you have taken any vaccines (shots) within 1 month prior to initiating this medicine.
• Avoid grapefruit juice.
• St. John’s Wort (an herbal drug also known as the hypericum perforatum) could reduce the response to Xeljanz.

When it should not be recommended:  If you are allergic to it or any other non-medicinal ingredients in xeljanz (Tofacitinib), you should not take this drug.  You should avoid this medication if you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant.  Do not consume this medicine while breast-feeding or intend to breast-feed. Talk to your doctor about how to feed your child while taking Tofacitinib 5 mg. Patients with severe liver insufficiency strictly avoid the consumption of this medication.

Contraindications: Tofacitinib is contraindicated:

• In those patients who are with known hypersensitivity to this medication. 
• In patients with severe hepatic impairment.
• During pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Side Effects of Tofacitinib: 

These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking this medication. If you observe any adverse effects, which are not listed here, talk to your healthcare professional. The side effects of Xeljanz include:

• Rash
• Cough
• Dizziness
• Vomiting
• Back pain
• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Joint pain
• Muscle weakness
• Pain 
• Upper respiratory tract infections
• Nausea 
• Indigestion
• Upset stomach
• Nasopharyngitis
• Nose or throat infection
• Runny or stuffy nose 

Overdose: By mistake, if someone consumed an overdose, immediately discuss with their healthcare professional, regional Poison Control Centre, or nearest hospital emergency department, even if there are no signs and symptoms.

Missed Dose: If you have missed your dose, take the next dose as planned at the next scheduled time. Never consume a couple of doses in order to make up for the forgotten dose.

Tofacitinib Cost: The cost of tofacitinib is quite affordable. A respective patient can purchase it through any legitimate pharmaceuticals wholesalers.  It should be consumed with or without meals.

How to store it: This drug should be stored between 15°C-30°C. And should be placed at a safer place.

FAQ's

What is Tofacitinib?

Tofacitinib was approved by the FDA in the year 2012. It is specifically a Janus Kinase 1 and 3 (JAK) inhibitor, meaning it is designed in order to block the enzymes that generally are responsible for causing specific inflammatory reactions in the body.

What is Tofacitinib Used For?

Tofacitinib basically is an anti-inflammatory medication, typically used in order to treat the arthritic conditions as well as ulcerative colitis.

What are the Potential Risks or Side Effects of Tofacitinib?

When taking treatment at a higher dosage, this medication may be responsible for causing the following side effects:

• Diarrhea
• Rash
• Singles
• Headache
• Serious infections
• Cancer
• Blood clots
• Stroke
• Death
• Upper respiratory tract infection
• Cold-like symptoms
• Deep vein thrombosis

Can Tofacitinib be responsible for causing the cancer?

Tofacitinib may be responsible for increasing the probability of developing the certain cancers risk (lymphoma and other cancers including skin cancers) in order to affect the mechanism of the immune system. So, inform your healthcare professional in case you ever had/have any kind of cancer.

How long does it take for Tofacitinib to start working?

Tofacitinib treatment usually takes about 2-8 weeks prior to start feeling good, and it may take 3-6 months to feel the desired effect of tofacitinib.

In case I'm already taking tocilizumab, can I take Tofacitinib?

No, you need to avoid taking tofacitinib together with tocilizumab  with. This medicine affects the immune system, so you do not need to take it along with any other immunity affecting medication. Using both medications together may further increase the probability of infection and could lead to the further complications.

NOTE: The piece of information mentioned about "Tofacitinib Uses and its Side Effects" in this article is just for the informational purposes and is not served as a substitute for medical treatment, consultation, diagnosis of a qualified doctor.