Tofacitinib
Description
Tofacitinib is used alone or in combination with other medicines to reduce signs and symptoms of moderate to severely active rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis in adult patients who have had an inadequate response to methotrexate. It is also used in the treatment of ulcerative colitis in adult patients.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Tofacitinib
- Bladder pain
- Blurred vision
- Chills
- Fast or slow heartbeat
- Runny Nose
- Bloating
- Unsual tiredness or weakness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
Uses of Tofacitinib
What is it prescribed for?
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Psoriatic Arthritis
- Ulcerative Colitis
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to Tofacitinib or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
General warnings
Driving or operating machinery
Use of this medicine may cause dizziness or blurring of vision in some patients. Hence, it is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery if you experience any such symptoms.
Malignancies
Use of this medicine may cause malignancy or reactivation of a previously treated malignancy. Hence it should be used with caution and frequent clinical monitoring should be performed.
Gastrointestinal perforation
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with or who are at risk of gastrointestinal perforation since it may worsen the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Serious infections
Use of this medicine may affect the immune system making you susceptible to opportunistic infections from a wide variety of pathogens. It is advised to not use this medicine during an active infection. Use of this medicine should be discontinued after consulting the doctor if a serious infection develops.
Use in children
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients below 18 years of age since the safety and efficacy of use are not clinically established.
Lipid elevations
Use of this medicine may increase the levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides. Therefore it should be used with caution in patients with hyperlipidemia (increased lipid levels in the blood) since it may worsen the patient's condition. Regular monitoring of the lipid levels is recommended while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Non-melanoma skin cancer
This medicine may increase the risk of non-melanoma skin cancer including basal cell, squamous cell, and Merkel cell carcinoma. Frequent skin examinations are recommended while on treatment with this medicine.
Liver impairment
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with liver impairment due to the increased risk of adverse effects. Close monitoring of liver function, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Kidney impairment
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with kidney impairment due to the increased risk of adverse effects. Close monitoring of kidney function, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Missed Dose
Administer the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next scheduled dose then the missed dose can be skipped. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Phenobarbital
Live attenuated vaccines and related products
Adalimumab
Clozapine
Disease interactions
Hepatitis B
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a history of hepatitis B infection since it causes reactivation of the infection. It is recommended to monitor patients with evidence of current or prior hepatitis B infection for signs and symptoms of reactivation. An alternative treatment option should be considered in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Hepatic impairment
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with impaired liver function since it may worsen the condition. Regular monitoring of the liver function tests is recommended while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Tuberculosis
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients who have previously been treated for latent or active tuberculosis due to the increased risk of reactivation of the disease. Anti-tuberculosis therapy should be initiated prior to therapy with this medicine if an active infection is confirmed. Appropriate tests should be conducted for the presence of latent tuberculosis in patients.
Infections
Use of this medicine may cause serious and life-threatening infections. Hence, treatment with this medicine should be initiated with extreme caution in patients with a history of recurrent infections, chronic, latent, or localized infections due to the risk of worsening of the patient's condition. While receiving this medicine, any signs and symptoms of an infection such as fever, chills, sore throat, diarrhea, etc. should be reported to the doctor immediately. Replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition.
Hyperlipidemia
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with hyperlipidemia (increased lipids in the blood) since it may worsen the patient's condition. Regular monitoring of the lipid levels is recommended while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take this medicine with or without food. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts than advised/prescribed. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable effects. Do not stop taking the medicine without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine works by blocking the activity of certain enzymes that are involved in the immune cell function.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Janus Kinase Inhibitor or JAK inhibitors, Antirheumatics, Selective immunosuppressants
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. Labeling.pfizer.com. 2019 [cited 7 February 2019]. Available from:
DailyMed - Xeljanz- tofacitinib tablet, film coated Xeljanz XR- tofacitinib tablet, extended release [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2019 [cited 7 February 2019]. Available from:
Tofacitinib - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2019 [cited 7 February 2019]. Available from:
[Internet]. Accessdata.fda.gov. 2019 [cited 7 February 2019]. Available from:
Xeljanz 10 mg film-coated tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (eMC) [Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2019 [cited 29 March 2019]. Available from:
Tofacitinib: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2019 [cited 29 March 2019]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 29 Mar 2019
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.