The SMC approves Xeljanz (Tofacitinib) for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis in adults in Scotland.
The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) has today published its decision to recommend Xeljanz (Tofacitinib) as a treatment for adults with psoriatic arthritis in Scotland. This brings Scotland in line with England and Wales where the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) approved Xeljanz for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis in October 2018.
In Scotland, Xeljanz is recommended to treat psoriatic arthritis, in combination with methotrexate, where the condition has not responded adequately to at least two standard disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) given either alone or in combination.
How does Xeljanz work?
Xeljanz, which is taken by tablet, works differently to any of the other treatments that are currently available for psoriatic arthritis. It belongs to a class of medications known as JAK inhibitors and works by blocking the actions of a group of proteins called Janus Kinases (JAKs) which are involved in causing the inflammation in psoriatic arthritis. By blocking their actions, Xeljanz reduces the inflammation and other symptoms of psoriatic arthritis.
You can read more about Xeljanz, as well as its dosing regime and possible side effects by downloading our information sheet.