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Orencia vs. Xeljanz

 

Are Orencia and Xeljanz the Same Thing?

Orencia (abatacept) and Xeljanz (tofacitinib citrate) are used to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Orencia is also used to treat arthritis in children who are at least 6 years old. Orencia is not a cure for any autoimmune disorder and only treats symptoms.

Xeljanz is used in adults with moderate to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have not responded well to methotrexate, or cannot tolerate it.

Orencia and Xeljanz belong to different drug classes. Orencia is a recombinant DNA generated fusion protein and Xeljanz is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor.

Side effects of Orencia and Xeljanz that are similar include headache, diarrhea, and cold symptoms such as stuffy head/nose, sneezing, sore throat, or cough.

Side effects of Orencia that are different from Xeljanz include nausea, stomach pain, indigestion, dizziness, flushing, and back pain.

Side effects of Xeljanz that are different from Orencia include upper respiratory tract infections.

Orencia may interact with anakinra, adalimumab, certolizumab, etanercept, golimumab, infliximab, rituximab, and tocilizumab.

Xeljanz may interact with aprepitant, bosentan, conivaptan, haloperidol, imatinib, isoniazid, St. John's wort, ticlopidine, antibiotics, antidepressants, antifungals, hepatitis C medications boceprevir or telaprevir, heart or blood pressure medicines, HIV or AIDS medicines, medications to treat excess stomach acid, medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), other arthritis medications, seizure medications, or steroids.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Orencia?

Side effects of Orencia include:

  • headache,
  • nausea,
  • diarrhea,
  • stomach pain,
  • indigestion,
  • dizziness,
  • flushing,
  • back pain, or
  • cold symptoms such as stuffy head/nose, sneezing, sore throat, or cough.

Serious side effects of Orencia include:

What Are Possible Side Effects of Xeljanz?

Common side effects of Xeljanz include:

  • upper respiratory tract infections,
  • headache,
  • diarrhea, and
  • cold symptoms such as sore throat, runny or stuffy nose.

Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Xeljanz including:

  • feeling very tired,
  • yellow skin or eyes (jaundice),
  • loss of appetite,
  • vomiting,
  • dark urine,
  • clay-colored stool,
  • skin rash,
  • clay-colored stools,
  • skin rash,
  • fever or chills,
  • night sweats,
  • weight loss,
  • changes in bowel habits,
  • pain or burning when you urinate,
  • sores in your mouth or throat,
  • stabbing chest pain,
  • shortness of breath,
  • cough with mucus or blood, or
  • skin redness or swelling.

What Is Orencia?

Orencia (abatacept) is a recombinant DNA generated fusion protein used to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and to prevent joint damage caused by these conditions. Orencia is also used to treat arthritis in children who are at least 6 years old. Orencia is not a cure for any autoimmune disorder and only treats symptoms.

What Is Xeljanz?

Xeljanz (tofacitinib citrate) is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor used to treat adults with moderate to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have not responded well to methotrexate, or cannot tolerate it.

 

What Drugs Interact With Orencia?

There may be other drugs that can interact with Orencia. The prescribing doctor needs to know all medications (including herbals) that the person is taking. During pregnancy, Orencia should be used only when prescribed. It is unknown if Orencia passes into breast milk or if it would harm a nursing baby. Breastfeeding is not recommended while using this drug.

What Drugs Interact With Xeljanz?

Xeljanz may interact with aprepitant, bosentan, conivaptan, haloperidol, imatinib, isoniazid, St. John's wort, ticlopidine, antibiotics, antidepressants, antifungals, hepatitis C medications boceprevir or telaprevir, heart or blood pressure medicines, HIV or AIDS medicines, medications to treat excess stomach acid, medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), other arthritis medications, seizure medications, or steroids. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

 

How Should Orencia Be Taken?

Orencia is supplied in single use vials at a strength of 250mg per vial. Orencia is administered intravenously (IV) as a 30-minute infusion. Dosing is based on the patient's weight. Following the initial intravenous administration, an IV infusion is given at 2 and 4 weeks after the first infusion and every 4 weeks thereafter.

How Should Xeljanz Be Taken?

The recommended dose of Xeljanz is 5 mg twice daily.