Key takeaways
Orencia (abatacept) and Xeljanz (tofacitinib) are both used to treat autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), but they work differently and have different forms. Orencia given as an injection or infusion, while Xeljanz is taken by mouth. Orencia is also used for juvenile idiopathic arthritis and to prevent graft-versus-host disease, whereas Xeljanz is used for ankylosing spondylitis and ulcerative colitis. Orencia can take 3 to 6 months to show effects, while Xeljanz may work within a month for RA. Both medications can increase the risk of infections, but Xeljanz has additional serious risks like heart problems and blood clots. In addition, Xeljanz can raise cholesterol levels and is not recommended during breastfeeding.
