Explore A Different Way To Treat Adults With Active Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)
If you’ve tried TNF blockers and they didn’t work well enough, ask your doctor about XELJANZ—a pill that was the first Janus kinase inhibitor approved to treat adults with active AS. Find out if XELJANZ could be right for you.
Taking XELJANZ
XELJANZ is a pill called a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor used to treat adults with active ankylosing spondylitis after trying a TNF blocker. If your doctor decides XELJANZ is right for your AS, you may be prescribed either twice-daily XELJANZ 5 mg or once-daily XELJANZ XR 11 mg.
5 mg tablets
How It’s Taken
Two times a day with or without food
How It’s Delivered
Immediate release into the bloodstream over the course of several hours
Not actual size
11 mg extended-release tablets
How It’s Taken
One time a day with or without food*
How It’s Delivered
Extended release into the bloodstream over the course of a day
*XELJANZ XR tablets should be swallowed whole and intact. Do not crush, split, or chew.
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.
Not actual size
If you take too much XELJANZ or XELJANZ XR, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
XELJANZ or XELJANZ XR and other medicines may affect each other causing side effects.
Questions About XELJANZ
The safety information below applies to all marketed formulations of XELJANZ. Specific risks associated with certain dosing are noted.
Serious infections. XELJANZ can lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections. Do not start taking XELJANZ if you have any kind of infection unless your healthcare provider tells you it is okay. Serious infections have happened in people taking XELJANZ. These serious infections include tuberculosis (TB) and infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses that can spread throughout the body. Some people have died from these infections. Your healthcare provider should test you for TB before starting and during treatment with XELJANZ. You should not start taking XELJANZ if you have any kind of infection unless your healthcare professional tells you it is okay.
Before and after starting XELJANZ, tell your doctor if you are being treated for an infection, have infections that keep coming back, or have symptoms of an infection, including:
- fever, sweating, or chills
- cough
- blood in phlegm
- warm, red, or painful skin or sores on your body
- burning when you urinate
- urinating more often than normal
- muscle aches
- shortness of breath
- weight loss
- diarrhea or stomach pain
- feeling very tired
These are not all of the possible side effects of XELJANZ. Learn more and read the Medication Guide.
Before you use XELJANZ, tell your healthcare provider if you:
- Are being treated for an infection, have an infection that won’t go away or keeps coming back, or think you have symptoms of an infection
- Have TB, or have been in close contact with someone with TB, or were born in, lived in, or traveled where there is more risk for getting TB
- Have diabetes, chronic lung disease, HIV, or a weak immune system. People with these conditions have a higher chance for infections
- Live or have lived in certain areas (such as Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys and the Southwest) where there is an increased chance for getting certain kinds of fungal infections
- Have or have had Hepatitis B or C
- Are a current or past smoker
- Have had any type of cancer
- Have had a heart attack, other heart problems or stroke
- Have had blood clots
- Have liver or kidney problems
- Have any stomach area (abdominal) pain or been diagnosed with diverticulitis or ulcers in your stomach or intestines
- Have recently received or plan to receive a vaccine. People taking XELJANZ should not receive live vaccines but can receive non-live vaccines
- Are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to breastfeed. You should not take XELJANZ and breastfeed
- Have had a reaction to tofacitinib or any of the ingredients
- Are taking other medicines, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take any of the following medicines while taking XELJANZ since this may increase your risk of infection:
- tocilizumab (Actemra®)
- etanercept (Enbrel®)
- adalimumab (Humira®)
- infliximab (Remicade®)
- rituximab (Rituxan®)
- abatacept (Orencia®)
- anakinra (Kineret®)
- certolizumab (Cimzia®)
- golimumab (Simponi®)
- ustekinumab (Stelara®)
- secukinumab (Cosentyx®)
- vedolizumab (Entyvio®)
- ixekizumab (Taltz®)
- sarilumab (Kevzara®)
- azathioprine, cyclosporine, or other immunosuppressive drugs
- Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking medicines that affect the way certain liver enzymes work. Ask your healthcare provider if you are not sure if your medicine is one of these.
These are not all of the possible side effects of XELJANZ. Learn more and read the Medication Guide.
If you are a carrier of the Hepatitis B or C virus (viruses that affect the liver), the virus may become active while you use XELJANZ. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests before starting and while using treatment with XELJANZ. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any signs of these symptoms: feel very tired, little or no appetite, clay-colored bowel movements, chills, muscle aches, skin rash, skin or eyes look yellow, vomiting, fevers, stomach discomfort, or dark urine.
Common side effects in people with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis include upper respiratory tract infections (common cold, sinus infections), headache, diarrhea, nasal congestion, sore throat, and runny nose (nasopharyngitis), and high blood pressure (hypertension).
These are not all of the possible side effects of XELJANZ. Learn more and read the Medication Guide.
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Savings & Support
Are you starting on treatment with XELJANZ for AS, but you’re concerned about covering the cost? You may be eligible for the XELJANZ Co-Pay Savings Program for commercially insured patients or qualify for other financial support resources to help you access your treatment. Terms and conditions and eligibility requirements apply.
Pay as little as $0 per month for your XELJANZ prescription†
†Eligibility required. May have annual savings up to $4,000-$15,000 depending on insurance.
Federal and state healthcare beneficiaries ineligible. No membership fee. Offer not valid for cash paying
patients. Terms and conditions apply.
Sign up for the XELJANZ Co-Pay Savings Program, if Eligible
Has your doctor prescribed XELJANZ for your AS treatment? Our Co-Pay Savings Program‡ may reduce out-of-pocket cost for eligible, commercially insured patients who have been prescribed XELJANZ for AS. Eligibility requirements apply.
If you are unable to confirm your eligibility or have additional questions, call XELSOURCE at 1-844-935-5269.
‡For eligible underinsured or uninsured patients, XELSOURCE may offer financial assistance through the Pfizer Patient Assistance Program. Call XELSOURCE to learn more about these programs. Terms and conditions/eligibility requirements apply.
For additional support, there’s XELSOURCE
You may need a little extra help getting started after you have been prescribed XELJANZ.
Call XELSOURCE for help:
- Contacting your insurance company on your behalf
- Helping investigate and assess your eligibility for coverage when needed
- Confirming your out-of-pocket costs
- Assisting you with obtaining Prior Authorization (PA) when needed
- Providing a patient portal at xelsourcepatientportal.com to allow you to monitor the status of your XELJANZ prescription once received by XELSOURCE
Ready to fill your XELJANZ prescription? See where you are in the process
To speak to someone at XELSOURCE about your insurance coverage and XELJANZ costs, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM-8:00 PM ET, call 1-844-935-5269 and say "Representative."
MONDAY-FRIDAY, 8:00 AM–8:00 PM ET
Mon-Fri, 8am - 8pm ET
Share Your Story
Have you been diagnosed with active ankylosing spondylitis, and been prescribed XELJANZ? We want to hear from you!
Your story is important—particularly for others who are considering treatment. If selected, your story may appear on XELJANZ.com and/or in other marketing materials. Certain criteria must be met for consideration.
Email us at [email protected] or call 1-800-674-3194.
