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  • Hi,

    I admit I was also excited to read about the case study of the woman with arthritis being prescribed Tofacitinib (Xeljanz) -and a side -effect was the spontaneous repigmentation of her Vitiligo. I completely understand our desperation for a viable cure-but will urge people caution on this one. Tofacitnib is an immuno-suppressant. I can only liken it to something like Cancer treatments. It suppresses your immune system which is crucial. A compromised immune system (ours is already compromised) that cannot fight infections etc,is not the light at the end of this particular tunnel (in my humble opinion).

    I am also concerned about the exploitative expense of this medication. If however you have also been diagnosed with arthritis-then, and only then will I contemplate taking this. I agree that there is a significant proportion of people with Vitiligo who also have arthritis symptoms. We know our condition isn't just a physical manifestation. We are also very different individually and have wildly differing outlooks on life. I am sorry that you are at the stage where you are at your wits end,Princess. I feel your frustrations. I wish you all the best with your decision.

    Take care,

    Ish x
  • My dermatologist recently prescribed Xeljanz for my vitiligo and is confident that it would work but my insurance would not cover the cost and it is very expensive like over $4000.00 for one month supply. You will have to use more than two months to see any result. I also heard there is a lot of side effects. I would like to try this biut can't afford it so I am back to square one. Was hopeful when the doctor told me about it. I can't understand why this tablet is so dam expensive. My vitiligo is spreading like crazy and don't know what to do. I am tired of putting on cover up makeup every day.
    • Princess,

      AS we know, there is no miracle product available to cure vitiligo.  Xeljanz is far from being this one...

      However, there is a lot to be done to stop spreding vitiligo.  Unfortunately, all good treatments demand surrendering a lot of things.

      Feel free to check a good one at: www.vitiligomap.com/protocol.html

      • Disclaimer:

        Content available on this post above is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Only your healthcare provider should diagnose your health problems and prescribe a treatment. Your reliance upon whatsoever obtained by you at or through this post is solely at your own risk. The statements made within this post have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

  • I was told that Xeljanz is not available as a prescription yet.  If you do get the xeljanz, could you kindly share the dosage or what the actual packaging looks like?  I will share this with my doctor and beg him for a prescription.  Also, may I ask where your dr. is located?  thanks so much.

    • The paper says:

      "Treatment with oral tofacitinib citrate (Xeljanz) was initiated at a dosage of 5 mg every other day. After 3 weeks, the dosage was increased to 5 mg/d (half the approved dosage for rheumatoid arthritis, which is 5 mg twice daily). After 2 months of therapy, partial repigmentation of the face and upper extremities was evident. After 5 months, repigmentation of the forehead and hands  was nearly complete, and the remaining involved areas demonstrated partial repigmentation. Approximately 5% of the total body surface area remained depigmented."

      http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2012/11/07/5_mg_bottle_r_lr_sq-7741ef9bc66cad3f3868ea5f6ddc7b30c2fcf1ff.jpg

      • thank you for this information....I just wish I could find a doctor in the US..or anywhere really that will provide me with a prescription for it.  My family dr. won't prescribe it because he is not familiar with it and won't risk getting into trouble.  I also checked with my pharmacy and they said it is a "specialty drug" and not readily available.  The pharmacy also said it was very expensive....at this point, if it really helps I would spend the money.  I also stopped going to skin doctors many years ago because they told me there is no cure and to just be happy that it is not life threatening...they don't seem to think having this horrible illness is a problem..

        Again, thank you for the response and information...

        • When I read the newspaper article (before reading the paper) I got so hopeful.

          After talking to more people, I realized that it was a paid advertising. Xelzanz didn't cure the woman completely, but half.

          So, there is no evidence that it cures at all.  Besides, the side effects are horrible.

          I'm not sure if there is a cream.

  • Did you ever end up trying Xeljanz?

    • No. I am yet to decided whether to use it or not since this have many serious side effects

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