On September 1st, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Drug Safety Communication to the public after reviewing a safety clinical trial into the safety of the medication Xeljanz. The FDA concluded that there is an increased risk of serious heart-related events such as heart attack or stroke, cancer, blood clots, and death with both Xeljanz and Xeljanz XR, which contain the active ingredient tofacitinib.
The safety clinical trial compared Xeljanz to another medication used to treat rheumatoid arthritis- tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers. The results showed that there were increased risks of serious complications in patients taking Xeljanz compared to patients who took TNF blockers.
Risks for All JAK Inhibitors
In the aftermath of the FDA’s announcement, the Journal of Clinical Rheumatology published their findings of the safety of janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, including Xeljanz, in November 2021. The study analyzed the risk of cardiovascular and venous thromboembolic events associated with JAK inhibitors that decrease inflammation by helping block an overactive immune response. Researchers examined data from 42 randomized controlled trials and analyzed the effects of Xeljanz and other JAK inhibitors on rheumatoid arthritis patients.
The study determined that heart risks posed by Xeljanz may be similar to other JAK inhibitors such as Rinvoq and Oluminant. Most, if not all, JAK inhibitors were determined to carry a similar risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and blood clots. However, the study could not confirm if the drugs increased those heart risks.
The risks of heart issues and blood clots were so comparable throughout the JAK inhibitors tested that the differences between them were deemed to be statistically insignificant, particularly with heart attacks and heart disease. As a result, researchers called for more studies to be conducted on the drug class of JAK inhibitors as a whole to clarify the risk of serious complications.
How Goldenberg Lauricella Can Help You
If you or a loved one experienced heart problems, blood clots, a stroke, or cancer after taking Xeljanz, contact the Minnesota Xeljanz attorneys at Goldenberg Lauricella. Our team has more than 35 years of experience fighting for justice for our clients, including those who have been seriously injured by unsafe medications, drugs, and supplements. We have the knowledge to build your case to the fullest and the compassion to help you through such a difficult time in your life.
Contact us today and leave the sleepless nights to us!