Xeljanz vs. Rinvoq

Xeljanz (tofacitinib citrate) and Rinvoq (upadacitinib) are Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors used to treat adults with moderate to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have not responded well to methotrexate, or cannot tolerate it.

Side effects of Xeljanz and Rinvoq that are similar include upper respiratory tract infections.

Side effects of Xeljanz that are different from Rinvoq include headache, diarrhea, and cold symptoms such as sore throat, runny or stuffy nose.

Side effects of Rinvoq that are different from Xeljanz include nausea, cough, and fever.

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, and steroids.

Rinvoq may interact with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole), strong CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., rifampin), and live vaccines.

Side effects of Xeljanz include:

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.

Common side effects of Rinvoq include:

• upper respiratory tract infections,
• nausea,
• cough, and
• fever

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.

Rinvoq (upadacitinib) is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor indicated for the treatment of adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis who have had an inadequate response or intolerance to methotrexate.

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.

Rinvoq may interact with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole), strong CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., rifampin), and live vaccines. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Rinvoq is not recommended for use during pregnancy; it may harm a fetus. Females of reproductive potential are advised to use effective contraception during treatment with Rinvoq and for 4 weeks following completion of therapy. It is unknown if Rinvoq passes into breast milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in the breastfed infant, breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with Rinvoq, and for 6 days after the last dose.

The recommended dose of Xeljanz is 5 mg twice daily.

The recommended dose of Rinvoq is 15 mg once daily. Rinvoq may be used as monotherapy or in combination with methotrexate or other nonbiologic DMARDs.