Xeljanz Lawsuit: A Comprehensive Guide (2024)

What is the Xeljanz Lawsuit? (2024)

Xeljanz, the brand name of tofacitinib, is a medication often prescribed for certain chronic autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ulcerative colitis.

History of Xeljanz

Xeljanz was released by Pfizer, one of the world’s premier biopharmaceutical companies, in 2012 and quickly became one of the most commonly prescribed medications to treat both rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis. According to Pfizer’s financial reports, the sales of Xeljanz in 2022 brought the company nearly $1.8 billion.

How Does Xeljanz Work?

Xeljanz belongs to the category of drugs known as Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. JAK enzymes are involved in inflammation and are responsible for the symptoms of both rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. JAK inhibitors such as Xeljanz block the action of JAK enzymes, helping regulate an overactive immune system.

What Is Xeljanz Used For?

Xeljanz is primarily used for the treatment of arthritis, including its rheumatoid and psoriatic forms, and ulcerative colitis. According to Pfizer’s website, Xeljanz has been studied in over 50 clinical trials worldwide.

Can You File a Xeljanz Lawsuit or Join a Xeljanz Class Action Lawsuit?

If you or a loved one has experienced adverse health effects that may be related to the use of Xeljanz, it could be possible to file a lawsuit. Actions against drug manufacturers typically allege negligence in providing adequate warnings about potential side effects, failure to recall a medication that is found to be unsafe and accusations of deceptive marketing practices.

Here are some general circumstances where filing a Xeljanz lawsuit might be considered:

• Serious side effects. If taking Xeljanz resulted in severe side effects that were not properly disclosed by the drug manufacturer, you might have grounds for a lawsuit.

• Lack of adequate warnings. Manufacturers are required to inform both patients and healthcare providers of all known risks associated with their medications. Failure to do so can be a basis for legal action.

• Misleading claims: If the medication’s marketing materials made claims that are found to be false or misleading regarding safety and efficacy, those harmed by Xeljanz might be eligible to file a lawsuit.

• Improper instructions. If the instructions for using the drug were unclear or incorrect, resulting in injury, there may be grounds for a Xeljanz lawsuit.

• Recall. If the drug is later recalled due to potential dangers that were not disclosed, individuals who suffered harm from the medication before the recall could potentially sue for damages. While Xeljanz has not been recalled as of February 2024, the FDA published a safety alert warning of the drug’s adverse events in February 2021.

To determine whether you can file a Xeljanz lawsuit, it is crucial to consult with a qualified legal professional who has experience in pharmaceutical litigation. They can evaluate the specifics of your case, advise you on the likelihood of a successful outcome based on the merits of your situation, and guide you through the process of legal action. Currently, it seems that plaintiffs are filing individual lawsuits against Pfizer rather than class action cases. However, this may change as multiple individual suits could be consolidated into a Xeljanz class action lawsuit.

If you need assistance, our team at ConsumerShield can connect you with the right experts to review the medical diagnosis linked to the use of Xeljanz and determine if you have a case.

Xeljanz Withdrawal Symptoms (2024)

Xeljanz also goes by the name of tofacitinib. It is a special drug that treats autoimmune problems, including arthritis, ulcerative colitis, and others.

The role of this drug is to reduce the hyperactivity of the immune system that damages the body. However, such rigorous medication also has potential side effects. The time these side effects for showing are different from one person to the other.

Due to this reason, every individual receives a different medical treatment based on their side effects as well.

Common Side Effects

• Headache

• Upper respiratory tract infections (common cold symptoms)

• Diarrhea

• High blood pressure

• Elevated liver enzymes

• Nausea

• Increased cholesterol levels

Serious Side Effects

• Infections - Increased risk of infections, including serious bacterial, fungal, and viral infections

• Tuberculosis - Risk of tuberculosis (TB) reactivation

• Lymphoma - Lymphoma and other cancers

• Blood clots - Blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism)

• Liver problems

• Gastrointestinal perforations

• Elevated blood pressure

• Diabetes - Elevated blood sugar levels and diabetes

These are some of the common and serious side effects of Xeljanz that victims have suffered from. Therefore it is better to consult your doctor before starting with Xeljanz to prevent the risk of complications and these side effects in your case.

The Connection Between Xeljanz and Blood Clots

According to Pfizer’s labeling, some of the less serious and temporary side effects of Xeljanz include rash, diarrhea, cold-like symptoms, headaches, herpes zoster infection, and upper respiratory tract infection. However, the use of the drug has also been associated with serious health issues such as blood clots, heart problems, cancers, serious infections such as pneumonia, and others.

According to an article published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology (AJG), the FDA’s Adverse Events Reporting System (FAERS) received more than 84,000 reports of adverse events related to the use of tofacitinib, the generic name for Xeljanz, between January 2018 to September 2021. The vast majority of the reported adverse events occurred in subjects aged 36 to 64 years old. Females represented 78% of the reports.

The FAERS data is self-reported and the FDA cannot verify the accuracy of any reports submitted to the agency. Nonetheless, in February 2021, the FDA issued a safety alert warning the public that Xeljanz use could increase the risk of blood clots, cancer, and serious heart-related problems, including stroke and heart attack.

Xeljanz blood clots

Patients taking Xeljanz have an increased risk of developing blood clots, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Symptoms of a DVT may include pain, swelling, and redness in the legs, while PE can manifest through difficulty breathing, chest pain, and coughing up blood. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), as many as 100,000 Americans die of blood clots each year.

Cardiovascular problems

Studies have indicated that there may be a heightened risk of cardiovascular issues with Xeljanz, especially in patients who are already predisposed to heart diseases. Problems can range from arrhythmias to heart attacks, and the risk is noted to increase with higher doses of the medication. According to the CDC, heart disease – including strokes and heart attacks – remains the leading cause of death in the United States, killing close to 700,000 Americans every year.

Cancer

The risk of certain cancers may be elevated when taking Xeljanz. This includes, but is not limited to lung, breast, prostate, pancreatic, and thyroid cancers. Each year, cancer claims the lives of about 600,000 Americans, according to the CDC.

Patients taking Xeljanz should maintain open lines of communication with their healthcare providers and report any unusual symptoms or changes in health status promptly. Only a medical professional can provide personalized advice and determine the most appropriate treatment plan, considering all health factors and risks.

If you believe you have Xeljanz blood clots or other conditions caused by the use of this JAK inhibitor, you might want to discuss your potential Xeljanz lawsuit with our team at ConsumerShield. We can assess your legal options, advise you on how to proceed in your situation, and connect you with the right legal experts. Fill out our ‘Contact Us’ form today to get started.