Is tofacitinib a steroid or a biologic?

It is neither. Tofacitinib is a small‑molecule Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor. It works inside cells to reduce inflammatory signaling, rather than targeting proteins outside cells like many biologic therapies. Because it is a tablet, it may suit people who prefer an oral option. Your clinician will review benefits and risks compared with steroids, biologics, and other disease‑modifying drugs for your condition.

How soon might symptom relief be noticed?

Response varies. Some patients feel changes within weeks, while others need more time. Your healthcare professional will reassess at follow‑up visits and may adjust the plan if goals are not met or side effects occur. Keep taking doses as prescribed, track symptoms in a simple diary, and bring the notes to appointments. Avoid starting, stopping, or changing the schedule without guidance.

Can extended‑release tablets be split or crushed?

No. Extended‑release tablets should be swallowed whole. Splitting, crushing, or chewing can release the full dose at once, which may increase side effects or reduce the intended once‑daily profile. If swallowing tablets is difficult, ask about immediate‑release options or an oral solution that may be available for certain indications. Follow the label directions provided with your prescription.

What lab tests are commonly monitored?

Clinicians often check complete blood count, liver enzymes, and fasting lipids. Screening for tuberculosis and hepatitis may occur before starting therapy. If results change significantly, your prescriber will decide how to proceed. Monitoring frequency depends on your condition, other medicines, and prior findings. Always attend scheduled labs and discuss results and next steps at follow‑up visits.

Can I receive vaccines while taking this medicine?

Live vaccines should be avoided during treatment. Inactivated vaccines, including influenza shots and COVID‑19 vaccines, are generally acceptable, but timing may matter. Your healthcare professional can help plan updates before starting therapy and coordinate any needed doses during treatment. Family members should also follow vaccine recommendations to reduce infection risk at home.

What if I miss a dose or two?

If you miss a dose, take it when remembered unless it is close to your next scheduled dose. If it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue as usual. Do not double up. If multiple doses were missed, contact your prescriber for advice. Keeping a reminder on your phone or using a pill organizer can help maintain a steady routine.

Does food affect how it works?

Food does not have a clinically meaningful effect on absorption for most tablets, so you may take doses with or without meals unless your prescriber advises otherwise. If you notice stomach upset, taking the medicine with food may help. Always follow the instructions on your prescription label and consult your healthcare professional if you have persistent digestive symptoms.

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Xeljanz

Xeljanz® Tablets for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Psoriatic Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ulcerative Colitis

Please note: a valid prescription is required for all prescription medication.

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Xeljanz® is a prescription JAK inhibitor used to help control immune overactivity in several inflammatory conditions. It is taken by mouth and offers an option when traditional therapies are not enough. This page explains how it works, who it may suit, and how to access US delivery from Canada, including typical options for those buying without insurance.

What Xeljanz Is and How It Works

YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy in Manitoba. Pharmacists review prescriptions before dispensing.

This medicine contains tofacitinib, a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor. It reduces signals that drive inflammation along the JAK-STAT pathway. By dialing down these signals, the treatment can lessen joint pain and swelling in arthritis and help calm bowel inflammation in ulcerative colitis. The therapy is not a steroid or biologic. It is a small-molecule tablet that you swallow, which some patients find convenient compared with injections or infusions.

Response differs across conditions and individuals. Clinicians often reassess benefit and risk over time, including lab monitoring for blood counts, liver enzymes, and lipids. Vaccinations with non-live vaccines may proceed during therapy, but live vaccines should be avoided. Ask your healthcare professional for guidance before any immunizations. Availability and precise labeling can vary by country and age group.

Some regions may also have Tofacitinib generic alternatives; availability depends on local approvals and supply.

Who It’s For

The treatment is approved for adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis who did not respond well or were intolerant to prior therapies such as methotrexate. It is also used for active psoriatic arthritis and for moderate to severe ulcerative colitis in adults. A pediatric oral solution may be indicated for select juvenile arthritis populations in some markets. Use and age limits vary by region; follow your prescriber’s advice and the official label in your country.

People with active serious infections should not start therapy. Those with a history of frequent infections, blood clots, certain cancers, heart attack, or stroke require careful evaluation. The medicine is not used together with other potent immunomodulators such as biologic DMARDs. Discuss pregnancy and breastfeeding plans with your prescriber.

Dosage and Usage

Typical adult dosing for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis uses either 5 mg twice daily of the immediate-release tablets or 11 mg once daily of the extended-release tablets. For ulcerative colitis, some regimens begin with a higher immediate-release dose for a short period, then decrease for maintenance. Your prescriber will choose the schedule based on your condition, response, and safety factors.

Swallow extended-release tablets whole. Do not crush, split, or chew. You may take the medicine with or without food. If you switch between immediate-release and extended-release formats, your clinician will guide the timing. Routine blood tests help check for effects on blood counts, liver enzymes, and lipids. Always follow the directions on your prescription label.

Strengths and Forms

Common presentations include 5 mg immediate-release tablets, 10 mg immediate-release tablets, and 11 mg extended-release tablets. An oral solution may be available in select markets for certain pediatric indications. Availability and packaging vary by country and supplier. Ask about Tofacitinib 11 mg price if you are comparing extended-release options for once-daily dosing.

Missed Dose and Timing

If you miss a dose, take it when remembered unless it is almost time for the next one. If it is close to the next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses at once. For extended-release tablets, maintain a consistent daily schedule when possible.

Storage and Travel Basics

Store tablets at room temperature in a dry place away from excess heat and moisture. Keep them in the original, child-resistant container with the label intact. Do not store in a bathroom. When you travel, carry your medicine in your hand luggage, along with your prescription and a copy of your most recent medication list. Use a pill organizer only if you can keep the label details accessible for security checks. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Benefits

This therapy can help reduce joint pain, stiffness, and swelling in inflammatory arthritis. It may improve physical function and daily activity. For ulcerative colitis, it can help decrease bowel urgency and bleeding when it works for a given patient. The oral route allows once or twice daily dosing without injections, which some patients prefer. The option to use an extended-release tablet may support a simpler routine.

Side Effects and Safety

Common: headache, upper respiratory symptoms, nasal congestion, sore throat
Digestive: diarrhea, nausea, abdominal discomfort
Lab changes: increased cholesterol, changes in liver enzymes, reduced white or red blood cells
Other: rash, shingles reactivation in some patients

Serious risks can include severe infections, blood clots, heart attack, stroke, certain cancers, and gastrointestinal perforation, especially in at-risk individuals. Your healthcare professional may screen for TB and hepatitis before starting and may monitor blood counts, liver enzymes, and lipids during therapy. Get urgent care for chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, leg swelling, high fever, or severe abdominal pain. Read the Medication Guide and follow your prescriber’s instructions.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers, and combined P-gp/CYP3A modulators, can affect tofacitinib exposure. Do not combine with biologic DMARDs or potent immunosuppressants. Avoid live vaccines during treatment. Kidney or liver impairment may require regimen adjustments; your prescriber will determine the plan. Limit alcohol if your clinician advises, especially if you have liver concerns. Tell your care team about all medicines, vitamins, and herbal products you take.

What to Expect Over Time

Some people notice symptom changes within weeks, while others require more time. Your clinician will evaluate benefit and safety at regular intervals. Keeping a simple symptom diary and taking doses on schedule can help you and your prescriber judge response. If goals are not met or side effects occur, your plan may change. Do not stop or change your regimen without professional guidance.

Compare With Alternatives

For inflammatory arthritis, many patients also consider biologic options. Two examples we carry are Humira® and Arava® (a conventional DMARD). Mechanisms, monitoring, and administration differ. Your clinician can help you compare safety considerations, convenience, and expected effects across classes. If you are assessing budget, discuss Tofacitinib price relative to these options and think about dosing schedules that fit your routine.

Pricing and Access

We offer Canadian pricing for eligible prescriptions with fulfillment that Ships from Canada to US. Our team lists current options so you can compare formulations and strengths. If you use cash pay, you can review Xeljanz cash price alongside oral and extended-release formats. Some patients also look at Tofacitinib price from Canada when comparing tablet strengths and refill intervals.

Looking for coupons? Check our Promotions page for current offers when available. Payment is processed through encrypted checkout. Add the item to your cart, upload your prescription, and our pharmacy team will contact your prescriber if required.

Availability and Substitutions

Supply can vary by strength and format. If a particular presentation is unavailable, your prescriber may suggest a different approved strength, a switch between immediate-release and extended-release, or another agent in the same or a different class. We cannot guarantee stock or future dates. Your care team may recommend an alternative based on your diagnosis and treatment history.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

This medicine may suit adults who did not reach targets with prior DMARDs and prefer an oral option. It may not suit individuals with a history of recurrent serious infections, certain cancers, blood clots, or recent major cardiovascular events. Discuss contraception and family planning with your prescriber. If cost is a concern, ask about multi-month supplies, which may reduce per-fill fees, and set refill reminders so your therapy remains consistent. Patients often compare Xeljanz cost without insurance with other JAK inhibitors and biologics before choosing a regimen.

Questions to Ask Your Clinician

Treatment goals: what improvements to track and when to reassess
Monitoring plan: which lab tests and how often
Risk reduction: vaccines to update before starting therapy
Interactions: medicines or supplements to avoid
Format choice: immediate-release twice daily vs extended-release once daily
Safety: signs that should prompt urgent care

Authoritative Sources

For detailed, up-to-date prescribing information, see these official resources:

Ready to proceed? Order through YouDrugstore for prompt, express, cold-chain shipping with temperature-controlled handling when required and US shipping from Canada. This information is educational and does not replace advice from your healthcare professional.

Related reading and categories: learn more about options in Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ulcerative Colitis, and our Immunology range; see our articles Arthritis Drugs and Most Common Forms Of Arthritis.

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View All FAQs

Is tofacitinib a steroid or a biologic?
It is neither. Tofacitinib is a small‑molecule Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor. It works inside cells to reduce inflammatory signaling, rather than targeting proteins outside cells like many biologic therapies. Because it is a tablet, it may suit people who prefer an oral option. Your clinician will review benefits and risks compared with steroids, biologics, and other disease‑modifying drugs for your condition.
How soon might symptom relief be noticed?
Response varies. Some patients feel changes within weeks, while others need more time. Your healthcare professional will reassess at follow‑up visits and may adjust the plan if goals are not met or side effects occur. Keep taking doses as prescribed, track symptoms in a simple diary, and bring the notes to appointments. Avoid starting, stopping, or changing the schedule without guidance.
Can extended‑release tablets be split or crushed?
No. Extended‑release tablets should be swallowed whole. Splitting, crushing, or chewing can release the full dose at once, which may increase side effects or reduce the intended once‑daily profile. If swallowing tablets is difficult, ask about immediate‑release options or an oral solution that may be available for certain indications. Follow the label directions provided with your prescription.
What lab tests are commonly monitored?
Clinicians often check complete blood count, liver enzymes, and fasting lipids. Screening for tuberculosis and hepatitis may occur before starting therapy. If results change significantly, your prescriber will decide how to proceed. Monitoring frequency depends on your condition, other medicines, and prior findings. Always attend scheduled labs and discuss results and next steps at follow‑up visits.
Can I receive vaccines while taking this medicine?
Live vaccines should be avoided during treatment. Inactivated vaccines, including influenza shots and COVID‑19 vaccines, are generally acceptable, but timing may matter. Your healthcare professional can help plan updates before starting therapy and coordinate any needed doses during treatment. Family members should also follow vaccine recommendations to reduce infection risk at home.
What if I miss a dose or two?
If you miss a dose, take it when remembered unless it is close to your next scheduled dose. If it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue as usual. Do not double up. If multiple doses were missed, contact your prescriber for advice. Keeping a reminder on your phone or using a pill organizer can help maintain a steady routine.
Does food affect how it works?
Food does not have a clinically meaningful effect on absorption for most tablets, so you may take doses with or without meals unless your prescriber advises otherwise. If you notice stomach upset, taking the medicine with food may help. Always follow the instructions on your prescription label and consult your healthcare professional if you have persistent digestive symptoms.