Doctor Discussion Guide
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What is the most important risk information I need to know about
XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR ? -
What side effects might I experience with
XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR? -
I have heard that
XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR is an UNJECTIONTM, one of a number of oral treatment options that is not an injection or infusion. Could adding it to a nonbiologic DMARD like methotrexate be an option for me? -
If some patients taking XELJANZ or XELJANZ XR with a nonbiologic DMARD felt an improvement in psoriatic arthritis symptoms and physical functioning at 3 months, do you think I could experience similar results?
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XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR can help improve physical function. Why is this important? -
What should I do if I forget to take any of my pills?
About XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR
Have questions about XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR? Here are some of the answers you
If you’re not getting enough relief of joint pain and swelling with a nonbiologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) like methotrexate, adding
Talk to your doctor to find out if
As a JAK inhibitor, XELJANZ XR works to disrupt cell activities believed to play a role in inflammation associated with psoriatic arthritis.
In some patients in the clinical studies, XELJANZ began to work in as early as 2 weeks to help relieve joint pain and swelling. For others, it can take as long as 3 to 6 months. Results were seen for patients taking XELJANZ in combination with a nonbiologic DMARD. Everybody is different though, so your results may vary.
Learn more about how XELJANZ performed in Clinical Studies.
The active ingredient in
Your healthcare provider should do blood tests before you start receiving
- 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 test you for TB before starting
XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR and during treatment.
Your healthcare provider should routinely check certain liver tests.
You should not receive XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR 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/XELJANZ XR 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
XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR is a pill taken by mouth. It is not an injection or infusion—it's an UNJECTIONTM. XELJANZ is taken twice daily while XELJANZ XR is taken once daily. XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR can be taken with or without food. For active psoriatic arthritis, XELJANZ and XELJANZ XR should be taken with a nonbiologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD), such as methotrexate.
For more information, see What Is
When you take XELJANZ XR, you may see something in your stool that looks like a tablet. This is the empty shell from the tablet after the medicine has been absorbed by your body.
Contact your healthcare provider if you miss a dose or forget to take XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR for an extended period of time.
Keep in mind that everybody is different. If you are not getting the results you expected, talk with your healthcare provider. Together, you can determine if changing your course of treatment might be an appropriate step.
- Create daily reminders by using your mobile phone or sticky notes.
- Set up alerts to remind you when it’s time to take
XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR . - Take XELJANZ with your morning and evening meals or before or after you brush your teeth in the morning. Take once-daily
XELJANZ XR only in the morning or only in the evening.
- Your healthcare provider should test you for TB before starting and during
XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR treatment, and monitor you closely for signs and symptoms of TB infection during treatment.
You should not start taking
For more information, see Important Safety Information.
These are not all the serious side effects of
To read more, see Important Safety Information. Patients should always ask their doctor for medical advice about adverse events.
Common side effects of
These are not all the possible side effects of
To read more, see Important Safety Information.
Patients should always ask their doctors for medical advice about side effects or adverse events. You are encouraged to report adverse events related to Pfizer products by calling 1-800-438-1985 (U.S. only). If you prefer, you may contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) directly. Visit www.fda.gov/MedWatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
For more information, see Important Safety Information.
Before starting
- Pregnancy Registry: Pfizer has a registry for pregnant women who take
XELJANZ/XELJANZ XR. 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 takingXELJANZ/XELJANZ XR , 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
For more information, see Important Safety Information.
Before starting
For more information, see Important Safety Information.