Enbrel vs. Xeljanz
- Are Enbrel and Xeljanz the Same Thing?
- What Are Possible Side Effects of Enbrel?
- What Are Possible Side Effects of Xeljanz?
- What is Enbrel?
- What is Xeljanz?
- What Drugs Interact with Enbrel?
- What Drugs Interact with Xeljanz?
- How Should Enbrel Be Taken?
- How Should Xeljanz Be Taken?
Are Enbrel and Xeljanz the Same Thing?
Enbrel (etanercept) and Xeljanz (tofacitinib citrate) are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
Enbrel is also used to treat juvenile idiopathic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and plaque psoriasis.
Enbrel and Xeljanz belong to different drug classes. Enbrel is a tumor necrosis factor inhibitor and Xeljanz is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor.
Side effects of Enbrel and Xeljanz that are similar include headache, diarrhea, or cold symptoms such as sore throat, runny or stuffy nose.
Side effects of Enbrel that are different from Xeljanz include mild nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, redness or discomfort at the injection site, heartburn, weight changes, or weakness.
Side effects of Xeljanz that are different from Enbrel include upper respiratory tract infections.
Both Enbrel and Xeljanz may interact with or drugs that weaken your immune system (such as cancer medicine, medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection, or steroids).
Enbrel may also interact with anakinra, cyclophosphamide, or sulfasalazine.
Xeljanz may also 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, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), other arthritis medications, or seizure medications.
What Are Possible Side Effects of Enbrel?
Common side effects of Enbrel include:
- Mild nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Headache
- Redness or discomfort at the injection site
- Heartburn
- Weight changes
- Cold symptoms (cough, runny nose)
- Weakness
Serious side effects include:
- Seizures
- Bruising
- Bleeding
- Skin changes (rash, pustules, blisters, patchy skin color, red spots, or a butterfly-shaped rash over cheeks and nose)
- Swelling
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Numbness and tingling, burning pain
- Vision changes
- Dizziness
- Signs of infection (fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, confusion, neck stiffness, flu symptoms, itching, swelling, warmth, redness, or oozing),
- Rapid weight gain
- Chest pain
- Ongoing cough
- Coughing up mucus or blood
- Black, bloody, or tarry stools
- Changes in mood or personality (in children)
- Joint pain or swelling with fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, chest pain, unusual thoughts or behavior, and/or seizures (convulsions)
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 Enbrel?
Enbrel (etanercept) is a tumor necrosis factor inhibitor used to treat certain autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and plaque psoriasis.
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 Enbrel?
Enbrel may interact with anakinra, cyclophosphamide, sulfasalazine, or drugs that weaken your immune system (such as cancer medicine or steroids). Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
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.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant before taking Xeljanz; it is unknown how it may affect a fetus. If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the outcome of the pregnancy and to evaluate any effects of Xeljanz on the baby. It is unknown if Xeljanz passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Breastfeeding while using Xeljanz is not recommended.
How Should Enbrel Be Taken?
Enbrel is available in three preparations; 0.98 mL of a 50 mg/mL solution of etanercept, 0.51 mL of a 50 mg/mL solution of etanercept and 25 mg etanercept. All are used for injection; only the 25 mg strength is available in a multiuse vial, the others are available in a prefilled syringe. Starting dose is often 50 mg injected twice a week in adults and 0.8 mg per Kg in pediatric patients weighing less than 63 Kg. Other doses may be used.