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Xeljanz

Xeljanz and Xeljanz XR, marketed by Pfizer for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis have been linked to an increased risk of blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism) or death in patients taking the 10mg twice-daily dose, according to postmarketing research. The FDA has recently approved new warnings about an increased risk of blood clots and of death with the 10 mg twice daily dose of Xeljanz and Xeljanz XR (tofacitinib), which is used in patients with, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, or psoriatic arthritis. If you or a loved one took Xeljanz or Xeljanz XR between 2013 and 2019 and suffered a serious side effect like heart attack, stroke, blood clots, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE) or death, contact our experienced Xeljanz injury attorneys today to file a claim for compensation.

Xeljanz Lawsuit Information

Xeljanz, the first oral rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment to enter the market in the United States, has been marketed as an alternative option for patients with RA who aren’t responding to other medications typically administered as a first line of defense against rheumatoid arthritis. More than 1.3 million people in the United States suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, one of the most painful and debilitating types of autoimmune arthritis. Unfortunately, research has shown that Xeljanz treatment for RA can cause devastating and potentially life-threatening side effects in users, including blood clots, heart attack, stroke, DVT and PE, and Xeljanz lawsuits are expected to be brought against Pfizer, alleging that the company of failed to warn about this potential health risk. If you or a loved one has been injured while taking Xeljanz or Xeljanz XR, you may be entitled to financial compensation, which you can pursue by filing a product liability lawsuit against Pfizer.

Xeljanz Side Effects

• Blood clots
• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Pulmonary embolism
• Paraplegia
• Limb paralysis
• Cancer
• Perforation of the stomach or intestines
• Wrongful death

“The European Medicines Agency — the European version of the FDA — rejected Xeljanz because, the organization said, studies have not shown a significant benefit for Xeljanz over and above other RA drugs. The medication also carries serious side effects. Side effects can include severe infections, liver damage, gastrointestinal bleeding, increased blood pressure and cholesterol, and an increased risk of cancer.”

Xeljanz Side Effects

What is Xeljanz?

Xeljanz (tofacitinib) is a prescription immunosuppressive medication manufactured by Pfizer, Inc. Unlike other similar immunosuppressive drugs like Humira, Enbrel and Remicade, which are administered via injection, Xeljanz is a tablet taken orally, which is one reason the drug has become such a popular treatment option. Xeljanz was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2012 to treat adults with moderate rheumatoid arthritis, in 2017 to treat active psoriatic arthritis, and in 2018 to treat moderate to severe ulcerative colitis. Xeljanz and Xeljanz XR fall into a category of drugs known as janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, which work by inhibiting the activity of JAK-1 and JAK-3, enzymes that signal certain immune responses that may play a role in the inflammation characteristic of arthritis. By doing so, Xeljanz can help reduce pain, swelling and tenderness in the joints.

How a Xeljanz Lawsuit Could Help

A Xeljanz lawsuit could help cover the cost of:

• Medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent injuries
• Lost wages
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Funeral expenses
• Loss of companionship

History of Xeljanz

Because of Xeljanz’s effect on the immune system, there have been increasing concerns about the potential for the RA drug to increase the risk of serious infections possibly leading to hospitalization or death, such as tuberculosis, as well as lymphoma and other cancers. After Xeljanz was approved in 2012, the FDA required Pfizer to conduct a postmarketing trial to observe the potential long-term risk of “heart-related events, cancer, and opportunistic infections” associated with 5mg and 10mg twice-daily doses of Xeljanz in combination with methotrexate in patients with RA. According to the most recent analysis of the clinical trial results, RA patients taking a 10mg twice-daily dose of Xeljanz or Xeljanz XR face an increased risk of pulmonary embolism or death, a risk the FDA warned about in a drug safety communication issued in February 2019. It is important to note that this 10mg twice-daily dose of Xeljanz has not yet been approved for the treatment of RA, only for the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

The potential health risks of Xeljanz treatment were evident even before the rheumatoid arthritis drug was approved for consumer use. In 2011, a clinical trial pitting two doses of Xeljanz against a placebo in patients with rheumatoid arthritis resulted in the death of four study participants. And in 2013, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) denied the approval of Xeljanz due to “major concerns about the overall safety profile” of the drug, indicating that the potential benefits of Xeljanz had not been shown to outweigh the possible side effects, which Pfizer’s own trial has shown may include pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis and other blood clot-related disorders. The following are some common blood clot symptoms RA patients taking Xeljanz should be aware of:

• Sudden shortness of breath
• Difficulty breathing
• Coughing up blood
• Excessive sweating
• Chest pain or back pain
• Clammy or bluish colored skin