r healthcare provider should do blood tests before you start receiving XELJANZ and while you take XELJANZ to check for the following side effects:
• changes in lymphocyte counts. Lymphocytes are white blood cells that help the body fight off infections.
• low neutrophil counts. Neutrophils are white blood cells that help the body fight off infections.
• low red blood cell count. This may mean that you have anemia, which may make you feel weak and tired.
Your healthcare provider should routinely 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 tests are too high.
Your healthcare provider may stop your XELJANZ treatment for a period of time if needed because of changes in these blood test results.
You may also have changes in other laboratory tests, such as your blood cholesterol levels. Your healthcare provider should do blood tests to check your cholesterol levels 4 to 8 weeks after you start receiving XELJANZ, and as needed after that. Normal cholesterol levels are important to good heart health.
See "What are the possible side effects of XELJANZ?" for more information about side effects.
What is XELJANZ?
XELJANZ is a prescription medicine called a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor. XELJANZ is used to treat adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis in which methotrexate did not work well.
It is not known if XELJANZ is safe and effective in people with Hepatitis B or C.
XELJANZ is not for people with severe liver problems.
It is not known if XELJANZ is safe and effective in children.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking XELJANZ?
XELJANZ may not be right for you. Before taking XELJANZ, tell your healthcare provider if you:
•have an infection. See "What is the most important information I should know about XELJANZ?"
•have liver problems
•have kidney problems
•have any stomach area (abdominal) pain or been diagnosed with diverticulitis or ulcers in your stomach or intestines
•have had a reaction to tofacitinib or any of the ingredients in XELJANZ
•have recently received or are scheduled to receive a vaccine. People who take XELJANZ should not receive live vaccines. People taking XELJANZ can receive non-live vaccines.
•have any other medical conditions
•plan to become pregnant or are pregnant. It is not known if XELJANZ will harm an unborn baby.
Pregnancy Registry: Pfizer has a registry for pregnant women who take XELJANZ. The purpose of this registry is to check the health of the pregnant mother and her baby. If you are pregnant or become pregnant while taking XELJANZ, talk to your healthcare provider about how you can join this pregnancy registry or you may contact the registry at 1-877-311-8972 to enroll.
•plan to breastfeed or are breastfeeding. You and your healthcare provider should decide if you will take XELJANZ or breastfeed. You should not do both.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. XELJANZ and other medicines may affect each other causing side effects.
Especially tell your healthcare provider
