In 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Xeljanz for use as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. The FDA eventually approved the drug for psoriatic arthritis in 2017 and ulcerative colitis in 2018. As is the case with all prescription medications, Xeljanz is no stranger to side effects. While many of these side effects are minor, some of Xeljanz’s adverse reactions are far more severe and potentially life-threatening.

These minor side effects can range from headaches to flu or cold-like symptoms. Typically, these side effects do not last very long. However, Xeljanz has the potential to lead to more severe reactions. Some of Xeljanz’s adverse reactions can be far deadlier, leading to significant health complications.

These reactions have even led the FDA to include several black box warnings for serious infections, an increased risk of death, and even cancer. Recently, the FDA also included a black box warning for increased risk of blood clots in 2019. Unfortunately, some of these adverse reactions have led to the untimely deaths of many taking the drug.

Since the FDA released the results of their interim analysis on Xeljanz, more and more Xeljanz lawsuits have emerged. Those filing lawsuits are seeking compensation for the damages that they suffered while taking Xeljanz. If you or someone you love sustained injuries due to the adverse reactions of Xeljanz, contact Wormington & Bollinger today and let us help.

What are Xeljanz’s Adverse Reactions?

All prescription drugs come with inherent side effects. However, during the approval process, the FDA must determine if the health benefits of a medication outweigh the side effects. If that is the case, they approve the drug. Xeljanz is no exception.

There are a host of side effects that come with Xeljanz. Many of them share similar symptoms. Even minor conditions can share symptoms with life-threatening ones. That is why it is crucial to keep an eye out for these symptoms, which include:

  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle aches
  • Chills
  • Rash
  • Cough
  • Unexplained weight loss or gain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Labored breathing
  • Chest pain

Many of these go away on their own in a couple of days or a few short weeks. However, if they persist for several weeks, seek medical attention right away. If not, a health condition can worsen and threaten your life.

Minor Side Effects

Some of the side effects of Xeljanz are minor and are not a cause for concern. Some of these mild reactions include:

  • Diarrhea
  • Headaches/migraines
  • Rash
  • Increased cholesterol levels
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Hypertension
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Upper respiratory tract infection
  • Cold-like symptoms

While minor, these side effects can progress into something more significant. If the symptoms do not go away or appear intense, seek medical attention right away.

Severe Side Effects 

There are adverse reactions of Xeljanz that are far more severe than the above. Even before the FDA discovered the increased risk of blood clots, there were plenty of known severe reactions.

Some of these include:

  • Serious allergic reactions
  • Shingles
  • Anemia
  • Increased risk of bacterial, fungi, or viral infection
  • Pneumonia
  • Cellulitis
  • Certain cancers (such as lymphoma and skin cancer)
  • Gastrointestinal perforations (tears in the digestive tract)
  • Deep vein thrombosis
  • Pulmonary embolism
  • Enlarged fatty liver

These side effects can be fatal if you don’t seek treatment quickly. If you recognize the signs and symptoms of these conditions, seek medical attention immediately.

How Deadly are Xeljanz’s Adverse Reactions?

As we’ve stated before, most of Xeljanz’s adverse reactions are minor. However, in extreme cases, taking the drug can lead to life-threatening conditions. These reactions have led to a host of Xeljanz lawsuits, with victims seeking damages for the injuries they sustained.

Unfortunately, in the time that Xeljanz has been on the market, it has impacted thousands of people. Since its approval, the FDA Adverse Events Reporting System (FAERS) has received a host of reports of the adverse reactions of Xeljanz and Xeljanz XR.

According to the FAERS, from 2012 to now, there have been:

  • 79,177 total cases
  • 30,788 serious cases
  • 2,008 death cases

Xeljanz can lead to severe adverse reactions that threaten the lives of those taking it. While these reactions are not as rare as the minor ones, they can leave lasting impacts.

Black Box Warnings 

The black box warning for blood clots was the most recent warning to be included with Xeljanz. The FDA was already aware of other serious adverse reactions. These warnings are for side effects that could potentially be life-threatening, which is why there is such a concerted effort to educate doctors, pharmacies, patients, and anyone else involved in the distribution of Xeljanz.

Some of these warnings include:

  • Blood Clots: In the FDA’s interim analysis, there were 19 cases of blood clots in the lung and 45 cases of death.
    • Nearly 100,000 people die from blood clots every year in the U.S.
  • Serious Infections: In Pfizer’s study, they found that 9.4% of the 2,300 rheumatoid arthritis patients suffered a serious infection (such as pneumonia, cellulitis, and urinary tract infections).
    • Of these infections, nearly 50,000 die from pneumonia each year.
  • Cancer: Around 3% of the 2,300 patients that took the drug suffered malignancies (such as lymphoma), with solid cancers being the most commonly reported malignancy.
    • In 2020, an estimated 20,910 U.S. citizens will die from lymphoma.
  • Shingles: 11% of the 2,300 patients developed shingles.
    • According to the CDC, roughly 96 people die from shingles each year.

If you fail to treat any of Xeljanz’s adverse reactions, they can worsen, eventually threatening your life. If you begin to show signs of these reactions, seek medical attention immediately.

Contact Wormington & Bollinger

Xeljanz joins a long line of dangerous drugs whose adverse reactions lead to serious injuries and even death. Since the FDA released their safety announcement at the beginning of 2019, more and more dangerous drug lawsuits have emerged, looking to secure damages for the injuries Xeljanz caused.

If you or someone you love suffered from Xeljanz’s adverse reactions, contact Wormington & Bollinger today. Our experienced and knowledgeable dangerous drug attorneys possess the legal prowess and resources to thoroughly prepare your case and fight for the justice you deserve.