Indication: Rheumatoid Arthritis: Tofacitinib, is recommended in combination with the methotrexate, for reducing the signs and symptoms of RA (rheumatoid arthritis) in adult patients who are with the moderately or severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and have had an inappropriate response to methotrexate.
In cases of intolerance to methotrexate, healthcare professionals may consider the use of tofacitinib as a monotherapy.
Limitations of Use: This medication in combination with the bDMARDs (biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic) or potent immunosuppressants including azathioprine and cyclosporine shouldn't be used.
Psoriatic Arthritis: Tofacitinib (Xeljanz), is basically recommended for use in combination with the methotrexate or another conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD), in order to reducing the signs as well as symptoms of PsA (psoriatic arthritis) in adult patients with the active PsA when the response to last DMARD therapy has been inadequate.
Limitations of Use: Use of it in combination with the biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) or potent immunosuppressants such as cyclosporine and azathioprine should be avoided.
Ulcerative Colitis: Tofacitinib drug should be recommended for the treatment of adult patients who are with the moderate or severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) with a loss of response, inadequate response or intolerance to either conventional ulcerative colitis therapy or a TNF inhibitor.
Limitations of Use: Use of this medicine in combination with biological UC therapies or with potent immunosuppressants such as azathioprine and cyclosporine is not recommended.
Contraindications: Tofacitinib is contraindicated:
- In patients who are with known hypersensitivity to this drug or any of its components.
- In patients with severe hepatic impairment.
- During pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Usual adult dose for Rheumatoid Arthritis: The recommended dose is tofacitinib 5 mg that should be taken by mouth twice daily. Swallow tablets whole. Chewing, crushing, or splitting of the tablets should be strictly avoided. Patients taking tofacitinib are usually also prescribed methotrexate.
Usual adult dose for Psoriatic Arthritis: For psoriatic arthritis treatment the recommended dose is Xeljanz 5 mg, which must be taken by mouth twice daily.
Patients taking this drug are also prescribed methotrexate or another conventional synthetic DMARD (csDMARD).
Usual adult dose for Ulcerative Colitis: The recommended dose of tofacitinib is 10 mg twice daily for the first 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, your doctor will decide to give you 5 mg or 10 mg twice daily for maintenance. Your healthcare provider may determine in order to stop tofacitinib, if it does not seem effective for you within the 16 weeks. It can be used together with certain other medicines, such as corticosteroids and aminosalicylates to treat ulcerative colitis.
What dosage forms it comes in: Xeljanz rheumatoid arthritis medication supplied as 5 mg and 10 mg tablets and is available in bottles or foil blisters. It is supplied as 11 mg tablets and is available in bottles.
Overdose: In the episodes of drug overdose, a healthcare professional must be contacted. Apart from this, call a regional Poison Control Centre or hospital emergency department, even if signs and symptoms are not exist.
Missed Dose: If you have missed your dose of tofacitinib, take the next dose as planned at the next scheduled time. Do not consume a couple of doses in order to make up for a missed dose.
How to store it: Store between 15°C-30°C. Medicines should be always placed out of the sight and reach of the children.
