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Xeljanz vs. Rinvoq

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 3/15/2023 5:00 PM (GMT 0)
I know Xeljanz and Rinvoq are both JAK inhibitors (with the difference that Rinvoq is newer for UC) so the mechanism of action is the same, but is there a difference as far as:

* Effectiveness
* Side effect/risk profile

I've heard people say Rinvoq is more localized (which is always a positive), but I don't know if that's based on anything scientific.

Once I finish trying Humira (which hasn't done anything for me) I want to ask for either Xeljanz or Rinvoq.

Thank you,
________________
CollegeGrad85
UC dx in 2009
Ileorectal anastomosis in 2010
Now - Proctitis
Posted 3/15/2023 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
I have taken both. Xeljanz and Rinvoq both are fantastic and act very quickly. I lost response to Xeljanz and then had success 5 months later with Rinvoq.
I think the standard of care now due to safety issues is Rinvoq. The GI community is having fantastic results.
Posted 3/15/2023 7:25 PM (GMT 0)
Xeljanz and rinvoq are both JAK-inhibitors. Xeljanz mainly inhibits JAK-1 and JAK-3 while rinvoq inhibits JAK-1. In being more targeted, there is the expectation that rinvoq should be both more effective and safer than Xeljanz. There is currently limited data on whether this is actually the case.

I've been on Xeljanz for over 4 years and had no side effects but I do have the thrombosis risk at the back of my mind and my dr said he prefers not to use it in over 60s. I would switch to rinvoq (or jyseleca which is very similar) if there becomes compelling evidence that it's safer than Xeljanz.
Posted 3/15/2023 7:59 PM (GMT 0)
My GI offered me both but said he prefers Rinvoq since the success rate for his patients has been amazing and faster than with Xeljanz. He said Xeljanz has been around longer so there is more data on it but if I am miserable, it may be slower to work than Rinvoq so to keep that in mind. I just said I would do whatever he wanted and he picked Rinvoq.
Posted 3/15/2023 9:05 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know, but I personally love Xeljanz as it worked for me when nothing else would other than steroids. I have no side effects and neither does my boyfriend who has been on Xeljanz since early 2020. I've read about acne on here with Rinvoq and I do not believe that is a side effect with Xeljanz, but that's all I can think of.
Posted 3/15/2023 11:53 PM (GMT 0)

Bacon Girl said...
My GI offered me both but said he prefers Rinvoq since the success rate for his patients has been amazing and faster than with Xeljanz. He said Xeljanz has been around longer so there is more data on it but if I am miserable, it may be slower to work than Rinvoq so to keep that in mind. I just said I would do whatever he wanted and he picked Rinvoq.

That's funny because in most people who are going to respond to xeljanz they have a significant improvement in 3-7 days. I am an anomaly in that it took 7 weeks to convince both me and my GI that it was working but I also saw changes on day 4 (i stopped having night time and evening bowel movements). If rinvoq is even faster that's amazing.
Posted 3/16/2023 12:54 PM (GMT 0)
Wow I can’t imagine Rinvoq could be faster than Xeljanz. I was feeling better in days.
Im still on 10mg 2x/day and it seems I need to stay on Lialda. I even had to restart rowasa. I wonder if rinvoq would be even better. I don’t mind staying on mesalamine, I just hope that Xeljanz keeps working for me at least until I start trying to get pregnant….. still not sure what I’ll do then. Sigh
Posted 4/4/2023 3:58 PM (GMT 0)
Started Rinvoq yesterday and had 15 bms. Hoping day 2 is less. I really just want to get under 10 a day at this point. I haven’t noticed any allergic reactions or side effects yet. My nurse said if I am worsening after 2 weeks then to call her. I am basically going by bms and pain levels at this point. I wasn’t due for my Simponi injection for another 2 weeks so there is still some Simponi in my system along with the loading dose of Rinvoq so I am not leaving my house at all. I cannot imagine getting sick while having this flare.
Posted 4/6/2023 6:27 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck BaconGirl! Fingers crossed you have a rapid response to Rinvoq. Let us know how it goes.
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