Long-Term Complications of Xeljanz

Xeljanz has been in the U.S. market for the better part of a decade. It first received FDA approval for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in 2012. Since then, the FDA has approved Xeljanz for three other conditions: psoriatic arthritis (PA), ulcerative colitis (UC), and active polyarticular course juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pcJIA). Pfizer (Xeljanz’s manufacturer) is also seeking approval for a fifth condition, ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

As is the case with all prescription drugs, Xeljanz does have side effects. While the majority of these side effects are minor, some of them can be life-threatening. From severe allergic reactions to increased risks of blood clots, there are plenty of adverse reactions that require immediate medical attention. However, while we know the side effects, what are the long-term complications of Xeljanz?

Xeljanz has only been on the market for under ten years. Researchers and healthcare experts still have much to learn about the long-term effects of this drug. Most recently, the FDA released the interim analysis on Xeljanz, which revealed an increased risk of blood clots. As you can see, further review of this drug may uncover even more.

While most side effects of Xeljanz are minor, some threaten the lives of those taking the drug. As you can imagine, this has led to a number of dangerous drug lawsuits against Pfizer. If you or someone you love suffered injuries while taking Xeljanz, contact the dangerous drug attorneys at Wormington & Bollinger and let us fight for the justice you deserve.

Side Effects of Xeljanz

As we mentioned earlier, Xeljanz is no stranger to side effects. All prescription drugs present side effects when taking them. However, during the FDA’s approval process, they conduct thorough tests and studies to ensure that the medical benefits outweigh the side effects. If they find that the risks are too much, they will not approve a drug.

Some of the most common side effects of Xeljanz include:

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

These side effects are relatively minor. They often go away on their own in a handful of days or a few weeks. Some of these can cause discomfort if you fail to manage them. If they continue to worsen, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

While most side effects of Xeljanz are minor, there are some that are far more severe. These adverse reactions can even be life-threatening. Some of these reactions include:

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

While Pfizer disclosed most of these adverse reactions to the FDA, the FDA recently discovered an increased risk of blood clots (particularly DVT and PE) and death. Blood clots of any kind are dangerous conditions and should be treated with the utmost seriousness.

If you experience any of these reactions, seek medical attention immediately. The sooner you receive treatment, the better.

How Xeljanz Affects Your Body

To discuss the long-term complications of Xeljanz, we should take a brief refresher on how the drug affects your body. As we have discussed in the past, tofacitinib (the active ingredient in Xeljanz) is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor. These inhibitors belong to a family of drugs known as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). They work by modifying the underlying disease rather than treating the symptoms.

Those living with anti-inflammatory diseases (like RA, PA, etc.) have overactive immune systems. Their bodies produce an excess of the protein that helps manage your immune system, cytokine. Typically, your body produces cytokines when it detects an infection or inflammation. However, for those living with an anti-inflammatory disease, their bodies create too much of it.

JAK inhibitors disrupt the process of producing cytokines by blocking the message pathways that initiate production. This disruption calms your immune system, which reduces inflammation and pain. However, this can also lead to further complications.

Xeljanz has only been on the market for under a decade. Most of the studies conducted on it tested whether they were safe to use and worked as they should. While the FDA did determine that the benefits of Xeljanz outweighed the risks, that did not mean it was without its risk. We have already mentioned its adverse reactions, but what are the long-term complications of Xeljanz?

As we said, Xeljanz is still a relatively young drug, so experts are unsure about its long-term effects. We do know, however, that Xeljanz weakens your immune system. More specifically, it reduces your white blood cell count. Naturally, this affects your body’s ability to fight off infections.

Some people may develop a serious infection while taking Xeljanz, such as tuberculosis, cryptococcosis, and more. These infections can progress and become life-threatening. Many of them can even spread throughout your body. If these infections do worsen, they can lead to long-term complications. Recovery may take months and even years in some cases.

Xeljanz can also cause severe allergic reactions, such as angioedema or urticaria. These reactions can reduce your quality of life if it develops further, often leading to a lifetime of pain and discomfort.

The FDA also warns expecting mothers against taking Xeljanz. If you take this drug while pregnant, it can harm your unborn child. If you plan on getting pregnant in the future, speak with your doctor. Some women taking Xeljanz have become infertile.

You may also experience changes in some lab test results, such as changes in your lymphocyte counts, low neutrophil counts, and low red blood cell counts. When these levels drastically change so quickly, it can lead to liver damage. If you and your doctor do not monitor your liver tests, damage can become significant.

Contact Wormington & Bollinger

Xeljanz is currently approved for four different anti-inflammatory diseases, with Pfizer pushing to add at least one more in the next year. While the FDA has approved Xeljanz, that does not mean it is without its risks. As with all drugs, Xeljanz comes with inherent risks and side effects. Most of these adverse reactions are minor, going away in a matter of days or weeks.

However, some are far more dangerous and can even be life-threatening in some cases. The long-term complications of Xeljanz are currently undetermined, but the entire team at Wormington & Bollinger will continue to monitor any changes when it comes to Xeljanz. In the meantime, if you or someone you love suffered injuries due to the adverse reactions of Xeljanz, give our dangerous drug law firm a call today.