Janet’s Story: Finding A Treatment I Could Count On
Listen to your body, talk to your doctor. Help may be out there; you just have to find it.
Want to learn more about XELJANZ? Meet Janet, Jared, Alison, and Lisa. We reached out to these XELJANZ patients to ask them to share their stories, and they have been compensated for their time. Individual results may vary.
Listen to your body, talk to your doctor. Help may be out there; you just have to find it.
Janet lives in Birmingham, AL, with her husband, Jeremy. Their children no longer live at home, but they aren’t empty nesters—their dogs are a big part of the family. Diagnosed with moderate to severe RA right before her 40th birthday, Janet tried several treatments, including NSAIDs and methotrexate. But, every time, the joint pain kept coming back. Then she asked her doctor about XELJANZ. Having found
Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of treatment with
XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR may cause serious side effects. Learn more about the Most Important Risk Information you should know about
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With XELJANZ and my RA treatment plan, I feel that I’ve reached my goal of managing my RA symptoms.
Jared works in emergency management and lives in Old Bridge, NJ. After being diagnosed with moderate to severe RA, Jared worked with his doctor to create a treatment plan designed to help manage his RA symptoms and improve his ability to perform common daily tasks. He tried several treatments, including steroids and methotrexate, but the joint pain kept coming back. Then his rheumatologist suggested XELJANZ. They discussed the risks and benefits of taking XELJANZ, as well as the need to regularly monitor certain lab results. In the first month after starting XELJANZ, Jared started seeing improvement in his RA symptoms. Within six months, he was able to perform common daily activities with less joint pain.
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I was so relieved that we found something that was working. And I started being able to do more things with my
Alison is an elementary school speech therapist who lives in Woodstock, GA. Diagnosed with RA when she was 19, Alison had tried a variety of treatments and still suffered from severe RA joint pain and symptoms. Quite often, her RA symptoms fluctuated between extremes. While she has a great relationship with her doctor, it took her some time to learn how to verbalize the joint pain she was experiencing. Alison started on XELJANZ after it became available and has since changed to once-daily
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XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR may cause serious side effects. Learn more about the Most Important Risk Information you should know about
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I saw an article for XELJANZ, another type of drug for RA. And it was in pill form!
Lisa is a financial manager who lives in Lewisville, NC, with her husband, Malcolm. Her friends say she’s a go-getter who never lets anything stand in her way. From the moment she wakes up, Lisa is always on the move. When Lisa was first diagnosed with RA, she stated her symptoms were “off the charts.” She began treatment on methotrexate while taking prednisone, but her symptoms still progressed. Then she asked her doctor about XELJANZ. After he explained the common side effects, and the more serious ones like infections and certain cancers, her doctor prescribed her XELJANZ.
Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of treatment with
XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR may cause serious side effects. Learn more about the Most Important Risk Information you should know about
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XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR (tofacitinib) is used to treat adults with:
XELJANZ/XELJANZ Oral Solution is used to treat patients 2 years of age and older with active polyarticular juvenile arthritis.
It is not known if XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR is safe and effective in people with Hepatitis B or C.
XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR/XELJANZ Oral Solution is not recommended for people with severe liver problems.
It is not known if XELJANZ/XELJANZ Oral Solution is safe and effective in children for treatment other than active polyarticular juvenile arthritis.
It is not known if XELJANZ XR is safe and effective in children.
XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR (tofacitinib) is used to treat adults with:
The safety information below applies to all marketed formulations of XELJANZ. Specific risks associated with certain dosing is noted.
Serious Infections. XELJANZ can lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections. Do not start taking XELJANZ if you have any kind of infection unless your healthcare provider tells you it is okay. Serious Infections have happened in people taking XELJANZ. These serious infections include tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses that can spread throughout the body. Some people have died from these infections. Your healthcare provider should test you for TB before starting and during treatment with XELJANZ.
Before and after starting XELJANZ, tell your doctor if you have an infection or symptoms of an infection, including:
Increased risk of death in people 50 years of age and older with rheumatoid arthritis who have at least 1 heart disease (cardiovascular) risk factor and who are taking a higher than recommended dose of XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR. The recommended dose in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis is XELJANZ 5 mg twice daily or XELJANZ XR 11 mg one time each day.
Cancer. XELJANZ may increase your risk of certain cancers by changing the way your immune system works. Lymphoma and other cancers, including skin cancers, can happen. Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had any type of cancer.
Higher dose. People taking the higher dose of XELJANZ (10 mg twice daily) or XELJANZ XR (22 mg one time each day) have a higher risk of serious infections, shingles, or skin cancers.
Immune System Problem. Some people who have taken XELJANZ with certain other medicines to prevent kidney transplant rejection have had a problem with certain white blood cells growing out of control (Epstein Barr Virus–associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder).
Blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism, PE), veins of the legs (deep vein thrombosis, DVT) and arteries (arterial thrombosis) have happened more often in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who are 50 years of age and older and with at least 1 heart disease (cardiovascular) risk factor taking a higher than recommended dose of XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR. Blood clots in the lungs have also happened in patients with ulcerative colitis. Some people have died from these blood clots.
• Stop taking XELJANZ and tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any signs and symptoms of blood clots such as sudden shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest pain, swelling of a leg or arm, leg pain or tenderness, or red or discolored skin in the leg or arm.
Tears (perforation) in the stomach or intestines. Tell your healthcare provider if you have had diverticulitis (inflammation in parts of the large intestine) or ulcers in your stomach or intestines. Some people taking XELJANZ can get tears in their stomach or intestine. This happens most often in people who also take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, or methotrexate. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have fever, stomach-area pain that does not go away, and a change in your bowel habits.
Serious allergic reactions can occur. Stop using XELJANZ and call your healthcare provider right away if you have swelling of your lips, tongue, throat, or get hives.
Changes in certain lab test results. Your doctor should do blood tests to check your white and red blood cells before and while you are taking XELJANZ. Your doctor should also check certain liver tests. You should not receive XELJANZ if your lymphocyte count, neutrophil count, or red blood cell count is too low or your liver function test levels are too high. Changes in lab test results may cause your healthcare provider to stop your XELJANZ treatment for a time. Your cholesterol levels should be checked 4 to 8 weeks after you start receiving XELJANZ.
Before you use XELJANZ, tell your healthcare provider if you:
What are other possible side effects of XELJANZ?
If you are a carrier of the Hepatitis B or C virus (viruses that affect the liver), the virus may become active while you use XELJANZ. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests before starting and while using treatment with XELJANZ. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any signs of these symptoms: feel very tired, little or no appetite, clay-colored bowel movements, chills, muscle aches, skin rash, skin or eyes look yellow, vomiting, fevers, stomach discomfort, or dark urine.
Common side effects in adults with rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis include upper respiratory tract infections (common cold, sinus infections), headache, diarrhea, nasal congestion, sore throat, runny nose (nasopharyngitis), and high blood pressure (hypertension).
Common side effects in adults with ulcerative colitis include nasal congestion, sore throat, runny nose (nasopharyngitis), increased cholesterol levels, headache, upper respiratory tract infections (common cold, sinus infections), increased muscle enzyme levels, rash, diarrhea, and shingles (herpes zoster).
Common side effects in children (2 & older) with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis include upper respiratory tract infections (common cold, sinus infections), nasal congestion, sore throat, and runny nose (nasopharyngitis), headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting.
XELJANZ & Pregnancy
XELJANZ may affect the ability of females to get pregnant. It is not known if this will change after stopping XELJANZ. It is not known if XELJANZ will harm an unborn baby.
You and your healthcare provider should decide if you will take XELJANZ or breastfeed. You should not do both. After you stop your treatment with XELJANZ do not start breastfeeding again until 18 hours after your last dose of XELJANZ or 36 hours after your last dose of XELJANZ XR.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNING and Medication Guide.
XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR (tofacitinib) is used to treat adults with:
XELJANZ/XELJANZ Oral Solution is used to treat patients 2 years of age and older with active polyarticular juvenile arthritis.
It is not known if XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR is safe and effective in people with Hepatitis B or C.
XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR/XELJANZ Oral Solution is not recommended for people with severe liver problems.
It is not known if XELJANZ/XELJANZ Oral Solution is safe and effective in children for treatment other than active polyarticular juvenile arthritis.
It is not known if XELJANZ XR is safe and effective in children.
XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR (tofacitinib) is used to treat adults with:
XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR (tofacitinib) is used to treat adults with:
The safety information below applies to all marketed formulations of XELJANZ. Specific risks associated with certain dosing is noted.
Serious Infections. XELJANZ can lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections. Do not start taking XELJANZ if you have any kind of infection unless your healthcare provider tells you it is okay. Serious Infections have happened in people taking XELJANZ. These serious infections include tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses that can spread throughout the body. Some people have died from these infections. Your healthcare provider should test you for TB before starting and during treatment with XELJANZ.
Before and after starting XELJANZ, tell your doctor if you have an infection or symptoms of an infection, including:
Increased risk of death in people 50 years of age and older with rheumatoid arthritis who have at least 1 heart disease (cardiovascular) risk factor and who are taking a higher than recommended dose of XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR. The recommended dose in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis is XELJANZ 5 mg twice daily or XELJANZ XR 11 mg one time each day.
Cancer. XELJANZ may increase your risk of certain cancers by changing the way your immune system works. Lymphoma and other cancers, including skin cancers, can happen. Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had any type of cancer.
Higher dose. People taking the higher dose of XELJANZ (10 mg twice daily) or XELJANZ XR (22 mg one time each day) have a higher risk of serious infections, shingles, or skin cancers.
Immune System Problem. Some people who have taken XELJANZ with certain other medicines to prevent kidney transplant rejection have had a problem with certain white blood cells growing out of control (Epstein Barr Virus–associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder).
Blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism, PE), veins of the legs (deep vein thrombosis, DVT) and arteries (arterial thrombosis) have happened more often in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who are 50 years of age and older and with at least 1 heart disease (cardiovascular) risk factor taking a higher than recommended dose of XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR. Blood clots in the lungs have also happened in patients with ulcerative colitis. Some people have died from these blood clots.
• Stop taking XELJANZ and tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any signs and symptoms of blood clots such as sudden shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest pain, swelling of a leg or arm, leg pain or tenderness, or red or discolored skin in the leg or arm.
Tears (perforation) in the stomach or intestines. Tell your healthcare provider if you have had diverticulitis (inflammation in parts of the large intestine) or ulcers in your stomach or intestines. Some people taking XELJANZ can get tears in their stomach or intestine. This happens most often in people who also take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, or methotrexate. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have fever, stomach-area pain that does not go away, and a change in your bowel habits.
Serious allergic reactions can occur. Stop using XELJANZ and call your healthcare provider right away if you have swelling of your lips, tongue, throat, or get hives.
Changes in certain lab test results. Your doctor should do blood tests to check your white and red blood cells before and while you are taking XELJANZ. Your doctor should also check certain liver tests. You should not receive XELJANZ if your lymphocyte count, neutrophil count, or red blood cell count is too low or your liver function test levels are too high. Changes in lab test results may cause your healthcare provider to stop your XELJANZ treatment for a time. Your cholesterol levels should be checked 4 to 8 weeks after you start receiving XELJANZ.
Before you use XELJANZ, tell your healthcare provider if you:
What are other possible side effects of XELJANZ?
If you are a carrier of the Hepatitis B or C virus (viruses that affect the liver), the virus may become active while you use XELJANZ. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests before starting and while using treatment with XELJANZ. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any signs of these symptoms: feel very tired, little or no appetite, clay-colored bowel movements, chills, muscle aches, skin rash, skin or eyes look yellow, vomiting, fevers, stomach discomfort, or dark urine.
Common side effects in adults with rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis include upper respiratory tract infections (common cold, sinus infections), headache, diarrhea, nasal congestion, sore throat, runny nose (nasopharyngitis), and high blood pressure (hypertension).
Common side effects in adults with ulcerative colitis include nasal congestion, sore throat, runny nose (nasopharyngitis), increased cholesterol levels, headache, upper respiratory tract infections (common cold, sinus infections), increased muscle enzyme levels, rash, diarrhea, and shingles (herpes zoster).
Common side effects in children (2 & older) with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis include upper respiratory tract infections (common cold, sinus infections), nasal congestion, sore throat, and runny nose (nasopharyngitis), headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting.
XELJANZ & Pregnancy
XELJANZ may affect the ability of females to get pregnant. It is not known if this will change after stopping XELJANZ. It is not known if XELJANZ will harm an unborn baby.
You and your healthcare provider should decide if you will take XELJANZ or breastfeed. You should not do both. After you stop your treatment with XELJANZ do not start breastfeeding again until 18 hours after your last dose of XELJANZ or 36 hours after your last dose of XELJANZ XR.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNING and Medication Guide.
If you have questions, concerns, or comments, please call our XELJANZ Information Center toll-free at
Patients should always ask their doctors for medical advice about adverse events. You are encouraged to report adverse events or product quality complaints related to Pfizer products by calling
PFIZER PATIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
INTERIM CARE Rx PROGRAM TERMS & CONDITIONS
VOUCHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS
By redeeming this voucher, you acknowledge that you currently meet the eligibility criteria and will comply with the terms & conditions described below:
*MA residents may select their pharmacy. Otherwise, this free trial will be supplied through XELSOURCE.
CO-PAY CARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS
By using the XELJANZ Co-pay Savings Card (the “Card”), you acknowledge that you currently meet the eligibility criteria and will comply with the terms and conditions described below:
XSAVINGS MOBILE TEXT PROGRAM TERMS & CONDITIONS
User texts "XPROGRAM" to short code 50336.
Text HELP for help, STOP to opt out.
Patients may receive up to 10 messages per month.
Message and data rates may apply.
If you have questions or are in need of additional support, call
XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR (tofacitinib) is used to treat adults with:
XELJANZ/XELJANZ Oral Solution is used to treat patients 2 years of age and older with active polyarticular juvenile arthritis.
It is not known if XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR is safe and effective in people with Hepatitis B or C.
XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR/XELJANZ Oral Solution is not recommended for people with severe liver problems.
It is not known if XELJANZ/XELJANZ Oral Solution is safe and effective in children for treatment other than active polyarticular juvenile arthritis.
It is not known if XELJANZ XR is safe and effective in children.
The safety information below applies to all marketed formulations of XELJANZ. Specific risks associated with certain dosing is noted.
Serious Infections. XELJANZ can lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections. Do not start taking XELJANZ if you have any kind of infection unless your healthcare provider tells you it is okay. Serious Infections have happened in people taking XELJANZ. These serious infections include tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses that can spread throughout the body. Some people have died from these infections. Your healthcare provider should test you for TB before starting and during treatment with XELJANZ.
Before and after starting XELJANZ, tell your doctor if you have an infection or symptoms of an infection, including:
Increased risk of death in people 50 years of age and older with rheumatoid arthritis who have at least 1 heart disease (cardiovascular) risk factor and who are taking a higher than recommended dose of XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR. The recommended dose in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis is XELJANZ 5 mg twice daily or XELJANZ XR 11 mg one time each day.
Cancer. XELJANZ may increase your risk of certain cancers by changing the way your immune system works. Lymphoma and other cancers, including skin cancers, can happen. Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had any type of cancer.
Higher dose. People taking the higher dose of XELJANZ (10 mg twice daily) or XELJANZ XR (22 mg one time each day) have a higher risk of serious infections, shingles, or skin cancers.
Immune System Problem. Some people who have taken XELJANZ with certain other medicines to prevent kidney transplant rejection have had a problem with certain white blood cells growing out of control (Epstein Barr Virus–associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder).
Blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism, PE), veins of the legs (deep vein thrombosis, DVT) and arteries (arterial thrombosis) have happened more often in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who are 50 years of age and older and with at least 1 heart disease (cardiovascular) risk factor taking a higher than recommended dose of XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR. Blood clots in the lungs have also happened in patients with ulcerative colitis. Some people have died from these blood clots.
• Stop taking XELJANZ and tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any signs and symptoms of blood clots such as sudden shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest pain, swelling of a leg or arm, leg pain or tenderness, or red or discolored skin in the leg or arm.
Tears (perforation) in the stomach or intestines. Tell your healthcare provider if you have had diverticulitis (inflammation in parts of the large intestine) or ulcers in your stomach or intestines. Some people taking XELJANZ can get tears in their stomach or intestine. This happens most often in people who also take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, or methotrexate. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have fever, stomach-area pain that does not go away, and a change in your bowel habits.
Serious allergic reactions can occur. Stop using XELJANZ and call your healthcare provider right away if you have swelling of your lips, tongue, throat, or get hives.
Changes in certain lab test results. Your doctor should do blood tests to check your white and red blood cells before and while you are taking XELJANZ. Your doctor should also check certain liver tests. You should not receive XELJANZ if your lymphocyte count, neutrophil count, or red blood cell count is too low or your liver function test levels are too high. Changes in lab test results may cause your healthcare provider to stop your XELJANZ treatment for a time. Your cholesterol levels should be checked 4 to 8 weeks after you start receiving XELJANZ.
Before you use XELJANZ, tell your healthcare provider if you:
What are other possible side effects of XELJANZ?
If you are a carrier of the Hepatitis B or C virus (viruses that affect the liver), the virus may become active while you use XELJANZ. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests before starting and while using treatment with XELJANZ. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any signs of these symptoms: feel very tired, little or no appetite, clay-colored bowel movements, chills, muscle aches, skin rash, skin or eyes look yellow, vomiting, fevers, stomach discomfort, or dark urine.
Common side effects in adults with rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis include upper respiratory tract infections (common cold, sinus infections), headache, diarrhea, nasal congestion, sore throat, runny nose (nasopharyngitis), and high blood pressure (hypertension).
Common side effects in adults with ulcerative colitis include nasal congestion, sore throat, runny nose (nasopharyngitis), increased cholesterol levels, headache, upper respiratory tract infections (common cold, sinus infections), increased muscle enzyme levels, rash, diarrhea, and shingles (herpes zoster).
Common side effects in children (2 & older) with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis include upper respiratory tract infections (common cold, sinus infections), nasal congestion, sore throat, and runny nose (nasopharyngitis), headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting.
XELJANZ & Pregnancy
XELJANZ may affect the ability of females to get pregnant. It is not known if this will change after stopping XELJANZ. It is not known if XELJANZ will harm an unborn baby.
You and your healthcare provider should decide if you will take XELJANZ or breastfeed. You should not do both. After you stop your treatment with XELJANZ do not start breastfeeding again until 18 hours after your last dose of XELJANZ or 36 hours after your last dose of XELJANZ XR.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNING and Medication Guide.