Xeljanz Study Reveals Serious Safety Concerns

Xeljanz Study Reveals Serious Safety Concerns

Xeljanz side effects is the backbone of Pfizer’s inflammation business. During the first nine months of 2020, Xeljanz sales reached $1.74 billion, up 6% from the year before. However, the product’s recent approval by the FDA is not without risk. Because it works by suppressing the body’s immune system, JAK-targeting drugs can impair the body’s ability to fight harmful microbes and even cancer.

High-risk Conditions Monitor Their Blood Pressure And Heart Health

One of the most serious side effects of Xeljanz is the risk of developing pulmonary embolism, a potentially life-threatening blood clot in the lung. Another side effect is arterial thrombosis, which causes blood clots to form in an artery and prevents blood from reaching vital organs. While the drug’s primary endpoint was not met, the FDA did issue several warnings for patients taking JAK inhibitors. These warnings are referred to as “major adverse cardiovascular events” by the drug’s manufacturer, Pfizer.

The warnings come as no surprise, as the FDA has already taken action on high-dose Xeljanz. In 2012, it stripped the drug of its use in previously untreated ulcerative colitis. In light of the latest findings, the FDA has requested additional studies to fully understand the drug’s risks and benefits. However, doctors should follow the recommendations in the product monograph and inform their patients of any serious concerns.

The study involved nearly 4,400 rheumatoid arthritis patients. It was also used to determine the safety of TNF inhibitors and its impact on the risk of cancer in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Xeljanz has a significant risk of cardiovascular complications, so it’s important that patients with high-risk conditions monitor their blood pressure and heart health.