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Xeljanz vs Jakafi

Tofacitinib  ·  Ruxolitinib

Both are JAK inhibitors. Here is how Xeljanz and Jakafi compare on class, mechanism, dosing, approval and supply.

At a glance

XeljanzTofacitinib
JakafiRuxolitinib
Brand names
Xeljanz
Jakafi / Jakavi
Drug class
JAK inhibitor
JAK inhibitor
Route
Oral
Oral
Marketed by
Pfizer
Incyte
First FDA approval
6 Nov 2012
16 Nov 2011
US shortage
Not listed
Not listed

Key differences

What each one treats

XeljanzTofacitinib

XELJANZ (tablets and oral solution) and XELJANZ XR (extended-release tablets) are Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. XELJANZ tablets and XELJANZ XR are indicated for the treatment of adult patients with: • Moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA), who have had an inadequate response or intolerance to one or more TNF blockers. • Active psoriatic arthritis (PsA), who have had an inadequate response or intolerance to one or more TNF blockers. • Active ankylosing spondylitis (AS), who have had an inadequate response or intolerance to one or more TNF blockers. • Moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC), who have had an inadequate response or intolerance to one or more TNF blockers. XELJANZ (tablets and oral solution) are indicated for the treatment of pediatric patients 2 years of age and older with: • Active PsA, who have had an inadequate response or intolerance to …

JakafiRuxolitinib

JAKAFI/JAKAFI XR is a kinase inhibitor indicated for treatment of: intermediate or high-risk myelofibrosis, including primary myelofibrosis, post-polycythemia vera myelofibrosis, and post-essential thrombocythemia myelofibrosis in adults. ( 1.1 ) polycythemia vera in adults who have had an inadequate response to or are intolerant of hydroxyurea. ( 1.2 ) steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease in adult and pediatric patients 12 years and older. ( 1.3 ) chronic graft-versus-host disease after failure of one or two lines of systemic therapy in adult and pediatric patients 12 years and older. ( 1.4 ) 1.1 Myelofibrosis JAKAFI/JAKAFI XR is indicated for treatment of intermediate or high-risk myelofibrosis (MF), including primary MF, post-polycythemia vera MF, and post-essential thrombocythemia MF in adults. 1.2 Polycythemia Vera JAKAFI/JAKAFI XR is indicated for treatment of polycy…

How each one works

XeljanzJAK inhibitor

12.1 Mechanism of Action Tofacitinib is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor. JAKs are intracellular enzymes which transmit signals arising from cytokine or growth factor-receptor interactions on the cellular membrane to influence cellular processes of hematopoiesis and immune cell function. Within the signaling pathway, JAKs phosphorylate and activate Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription (STATs) which modulate intracellular activity including gene expression. Tofacitinib modulates the signaling pathway at the point of JAKs, preventing the phosphorylation and activation of STATs. JAK enzymes transmit cytokine signaling through pairing of JAKs (e.g., JAK1/JAK3, JAK1/JAK2, JAK1/TyK2, …

JakafiJAK inhibitor

12.1 Mechanism of Action Ruxolitinib, a kinase inhibitor, inhibits Janus Associated Kinases (JAKs), JAK1 and JAK2, which mediate the signaling of a number of cytokines and growth factors that are important for hematopoiesis and immune function. JAK signaling involves recruitment of STATs (signal transducers and activators of transcription) to cytokine receptors, activation, and subsequent localization of STATs to the nucleus leading to modulation of gene expression. MF and PV are myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) known to be associated with dysregulated JAK1 and JAK2 signaling. In a mouse model of JAK2V617F-positive MPN, oral administration of ruxolitinib prevented splenomegaly, preferent…

Related comparisons

Rinvoq VS Xeljanz Rinvoq VS Jakafi Xeljanz VS Olumiant Olumiant VS Jakafi Humira VS Xeljanz

Read more

Xeljanz profile Jakafi profile JAK Inhibitors All comparisons
This is not medical advice, and not a recommendation of one drug over the other.

Which medicine is right for a given person depends on their diagnosis, other conditions, other medicines, kidney and liver function, pregnancy, and cost or reimbursement — none of which this page knows. Two drugs in the same class are not automatically interchangeable. Never start, stop or switch a prescription medicine on the basis of a web page; that decision belongs to you and your clinician or pharmacist.

Class and summary text is written by the Priya Life Science editorial team. Label, mechanism, route, manufacturer and approval data come from the U.S. FDA via the openFDA API; shortage status from the FDA Drug Shortage Database. Approvals, indications and brand names differ between the US, EU/Ireland (EMA/HPRA) and other regions — a drug approved in one may not be approved, or may carry a different name, in another.