Xeljanz Lawsuits

UPDATES AND SETTLEMENT INFORMATION

LAWSUIT STATUS: New Cases Being Accepted

Xeljanz (tofacitinib) is a new generation treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ulcerative colitis, which has been promoted as safe and effective. However, studies have raised concerns about a number of Xeljanz side effects that were not adequately disclosed by the drug maker.

Former users may be entitled to Xeljanz lawsuit settlements as a result of the drug makers failure to warn users about the risk of cancer, blood clots, heart problems and other injuries.

Lawyers are pursuing Xeljanz settlements for individuals who have been diagnosed with:

  • Cancer
  • Heart Attack
  • Stroke
  • Cardiovascular Injury
  • Pulmonary Embolism
  • Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
  • Other Blood Clots

Overview of Xeljanz Lawsuits

Xeljanz (tofacitinib) was approved by the FDA in 2012 for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation of the joints in approximately one percent of the population. The drug was designed to block the activity of certain enzymes in the body that affect immune system function and is commonly used as an alternative for patients who have tried methotrexate and other medications without success.

In December 2017, the FDA approved the use of Xeljanz and Xeljanz XR for the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and then approval was expanded again in May 2018 to include treatment of moderate to severe active ulcerative colitis

Following the publication of several studies that found side effects of Xeljanz may result in the development of serious and potentially lethal heart problems, cancer, and pulmonary embolism, lawsuits are now being pursued by former users of the medication.

Criteria For Xeljanz Settlements

While the drug maker has not voluntarily agreed to any reported Xeljanz settlements or lawsuit payouts, lawyers are pursuing claims for former users of Xeljanz and Xeljanz XR who have experienced any of the following side effects:

  • Cancer or Lymphoma Diagnosis
  • Heart Attack
  • Ischemic or Embolic Stroke
  • Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
  • Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
  • Hospitalization due to another blood clot injury

Product liability lawyers provide free consultations and case evaluations to determine whether financial compensation may be available through a Xeljanz lawsuit. There are no fees or expenses unless a recovery is obtained.

Learn More About

Xeljanz Lawsuits

Side effects of Xeljanz linked to risk of cancer, heart attacks, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, blood clots and death.

SEE IF YOU QUALIFY FOR COMPENSATION

Xeljanz Lawsuit Updates and Warnings

September 2021 Update: The FDA has required a new Xeljanz warning update that adds new information to the drug label about the risk of cancer, blood clots and heart side effects.

February 2021 Update: Federeal drug regulators have issued an alert to healthcare providers and patients about the preliminary results of a new clinical trial, which suggest a link between Xeljanz and cancer, as well as heart problems.

July 2019 Update: A new black box warning about the Xeljanz blood clot risk has been added to the medication, indicating that higher doses may cause a pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis.

Xeljanz Blood Clot Lawsuits

Pfizer first disclosed preliminary data from ongoing Xeljanz clinical trials in February 2019, indicated patients taking 10 mg daily doses of Xeljanz for the treatment of arthritis faced five times the risk of a pulmonary embolism.

Generally, Xeljanz is only prescribed to arthritis patients at 5 mg per day. However, it is prescribed to ulcerative colitis patients at twice that strength. Some doctors prescribe the more powerful dose to arthritis patients, and it was among that population that the increased risk of blood clot related injuries, specifically pulmonary embolism, has been seen.

The FDA issued a drug safety communication about the risks in late February 2019, and Pfizer said it was re-evaluating dosing recommendations for the drug. In March, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) joined the FDA in warning healthcare professionals about the potential dosing risks.

In July 2019, the FDA finally decided that Pfizer should be required to add a new Xeljanz black box warning, which indicates that the twice daily 10mg dose may increase the risk of blood clots and death.

In another drug safety communication, the agency indicated that the blood clot risks should limit the drug to a second line therapy, where it is only prescribed at the high dose to treat ulcerative colitis when other treatment options are not tolerated or effective.

In September 2021, the FDA issued yet another label warning update to Xeljanz, indicating side effects may include an increased risk of serious heart-related problems, cancer, pulmonary embolism and fatalities.

In November 2022, European regulators called for restrictions on Xeljanz use, due to the risk of heart problems and blood clots.

Xeljanz Cancer and Heart Lawsuits

The FDA finished a review of clinical trial data in September 2021, issuing yet another Xeljanz drug safety warning. This warning specified that Xeljanz carried a 33% increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots which could cause pulmonary embolism.

In addition, the FDA found a 48% increased risk of cancer, particularly lymphomas. The review also indicated current or former smokers faced an increased risk of lung cancer.

The FDA required new label warnings be added to Xeljanz, and recommends doctors only prescribe it and similar drugs of the same class to patients who could not tolerate one or more other rheumatoid arthritis drugs known as TNF blockers.

Data from a postmarketing clinical trial suggest that users of both 5mg and 10mg doses of Xeljanz had a higher occurrence of serious heart problems and cancer when compared to users treated with a TNF inhibitor, which is a different type of drug used for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

A study published in May 2022 linked Xeljanz and similar drugs to an increased risk of skin cancer, including melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma and Merkel cell carcinoma.

In May 2023, researchers presented the findings of a meta-analysis from 62 randomized clinical trials and 14 long-term extension studies, which found that the cancer risk with Xeljanz and other JAK inhibitors was higher than those taking older tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor drugs, such as Humira and Enbrel.

Xeljanz Lawyers Are Reviewing Cases Nationwide

As a result of Pfizer’s failure to thoroughly research and test Xeljanz before putting it on the market, or adequately warn recipients or the medical community of the potential side effects of Xeljanz, settlement benefits may be available.

If warnings and information about the risk of pulmonary embolism, heart attacks and cancer from Xeljanz had been provided, many users may have decided to take another drug, and injuries and deaths may have been avoided.

1 Comments

  • TANYAJanuary 31, 2022 at 11:24 am

    I've been taking Xeljanz from starting around January 4, 2010 to January 4, 2022 I've been in Inova Mount Vernon Hospital due to Chronic Pancreatitis and along with several stomach related things Along with things going on with my veins and arteries Along with having a collapsed lung problem Along with liver problems Along with a whole lot of different stomach related problems Al[Show More]I've been taking Xeljanz from starting around January 4, 2010 to January 4, 2022 I've been in Inova Mount Vernon Hospital due to Chronic Pancreatitis and along with several stomach related things Along with things going on with my veins and arteries Along with having a collapsed lung problem Along with liver problems Along with a whole lot of different stomach related problems Along with severe dizziness and chest pain with chest pressure Along with problems with my arteries Along with problems with my veins Along with problems still with my immune system still being so very low Along with a whole lot of problems with the PE symptoms I have been going through the whole nine yards of nothing but a whole lot of problems and complatations with everything due to the whole entire length of time frame since I've been taking Xeljanz I know for sure that it's all due to the length of time that I've been on Xeljanz Inova Mount Vernon Hospital has everything for which I'm still going through due to the whole entire length of time frame since I've been taking Xeljanz which is nothing but a whole lot of different very severe problems / issues ever since I've been taking Xeljanz

Share Your Story With Our Community

I authorize the above comments be posted on this page*

Want your comments reviewed by a lawyer?

To have an attorney review your comments and contact you about a potential case, provide your contact information below. This will not be published.

NOTE: Providing information for review by an attorney does not form an attorney-client relationship.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

More Top Stories