A study of Pfizer’s arthritis drug Xeljanz® and Xeljanz XR® has found an increased risk for heaert attacks, strokes, cancer, blood clots and death.
Need a Texas Xeljanz Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one had a heart attack, stroke, blood clots, cancer or death after taking Xeljanz, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.
UPDATE: FDA Requires “Black Box” Warnings for Xeljanz
In September 2021, the FDA ordered Pfizer to add a warning label about the risk of deadly side effects from Xeljanz, including:
- Heart attacks
- Strokes
- Cancer (particularly lymphoma and lung cancer)
- Blood clots
- Death
Xeljanz Linked to Higher Risk of Blood Clots & Death
In July 2019, the FDA has updated the label on Xeljanz and Xeljanz XR with a Boxed Warning about an increased risk of blood clots and death from the 10-mg twice-daily dose.
The FDA recommends that patients stop taking Xeljanz and seek emergency medical attention for symptoms of a blood clot, such as:
- Sudden shortness of breath
- Chest pain that worsens with breathing
- Swelling of a leg or arm
- Leg pain or tenderness, or red or discolored skin in the painful or swollen leg or arm
Study Links Xeljanz and Blood Clots, Death
In February 2019, the FDA published a Safety Warning after a study found that patients with rheumatoid arthritis who were prescribed a twice-daily 10-mg dose of Xeljanz had a higher risk for blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism) and death.
FDA: High Dose is Not Approved for Arthritis
The twice-daily 10-mg dose is only FDA-approved for ulcerative colitis — it is not approved for rheumatoid arthritis. Due to the increased risk for life-threatening side effects, the FDA is urging doctors to follow dosage recommendations for the specific disease they are treating.
Patients Should Be Vigilant for Symptoms of Pulmonary Embolism
Patients on Xeljanz should be vigilant for symptoms of a pulmonary embolism. They should seek emergency medical attention for symptoms of a blood clot in the lungs, such as:
- Sudden shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Chest pain or pain in your back
- Coughing up blood
- Excessive sweating
- Clammy or bluish colored skin
What is Xeljanz?
Pfizer sells the medications Xeljanz® and Xeljanz XR® (generic: tofacitinib) for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and ulcerative colitis. Xeljanz decreases the activity of the immune system, which stops the immune system from over-reacting and attacking the body.
Can I Join a Class Action Lawsuit?
The Clark Firm, LLP is nationally recognized as a class action law firm in Texas, but our lawyers are not filing a Xeljanz class action lawsuit against Pfizer. Instead, we are investigating cases for individuals who developed severe side effects.
About Class Actions
Class actions can be beneficial when a large group of people have similar legal claims. The problem is that class actions can also have major disadvantages when individuals have very severe injuries after taking a defective medication. This is why class actions are rarely used to resolve a large number of lawsuits involving drug-makers and defective drugs.
Why Our Law Firm is Filing Individual Lawsuits as Opposed to a Class Action
When a lot of people are harmed by a defective drug, the lawsuits may eventually be consolidated into a Multi-District Litigation (MDL), which centralizes the lawsuits into one federal court, under one judge. If you were injured by Xeljanz, it is possible that you may qualify to file a lawsuit for yourself or your loved one. Our lawyers may be able to help you seek justice and financial compensation for your pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost income, or wrongful death of a family member.
Need a Xeljanz Lawyer in Texas?
Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.
Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”
The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our law firm for a free case review.