Tofa Side Effects for Health

Tofacitinib, a medication used to treat various conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, ulcerative colitis, and polyarticular course juvenile idiopathic arthritis, can cause a range of side effects. These side effects can vary in severity and may include both common and serious reactions.

Common Side Effects

Common side effects of tofacitinib may include:

•     Upper respiratory tract infections (common cold, sinus infections)

•     Headache

•     Diarrhea

•     Nasal congestion, sore throat, and runny nose (nasopharyngitis)

•     High blood pressure (hypertension)

•     Increased cholesterol levels

•     Rash

•     Shingles (herpes zoster)

•     Fever

•     Nausea

•     Vomiting

Serious Side Effects

Serious side effects of tofacitinib may include:

• Serious infections that may lead to hospitalization or death, particularly in patients taking concomitant immunosuppressants

• Hepatitis B or C activation infection in people who carry the virus in their blood

• Blood cell problems, such as anemia (low level of red blood cells)

• Boxed warnings: serious infections, blood clots, cancer, and increased risk of death

• Tears in the digestive tract

• Allergic reaction

• Increased risk of cancer (eg, lymphoma, lung cancer, non-melanoma skin cancer)

• Increased risk of developing blood clots (eg, arterial thrombosis, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism)

Less Common Side Effects

Less common side effects of tofacitinib may include:

• Diarrhea

• Belching

• Burning feeling in the chest or stomach

• Burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings

• Difficulty with moving

• Heartburn

• Indigestion

• Muscle pain or stiffness

• Pain in the joints

• Stomach discomfort, upset, or pain

• Tenderness in the stomach area

• Trouble sleeping

• Unusually warm skin

Incidence Not Known Side Effects

Side effects with an incidence not known may include:

• Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet

• Confusion

• Dark urine

• Decreased urination

• Double vision

• Dry mouth

• Fainting

• Hives or welts, rash

• Inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles

• Increase in heart rate

• Labored breathing

• Large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals

• Light-colored stools

• Lightheadedness

• Nausea

• No blood pressure or pulse

• Pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck

• Pain, redness, swelling, or tenderness in the arms or legs

• Pale skinPink growth

• Persistent non-healing sore

• Rapid breathing

• Rapid weight gain

• Reddish patch or irritated area of the skin

• Shiny bump

• Slow speech

• Stopping of heart

• Sunken eyes

• Sweating

• Thirst

• Tingling of the hands or feet

• Unconsciousness

• Unusual bleeding or bruising

• Unusual weight gain

• Upper right abdominal or stomach pain

• Vomiting

• White, yellow or waxy scar-like area

• Wrinkled skin

It is essential for patients taking tofacitinib to be aware of these potential side effects and to consult your doctor if they experience any of them.