What is the difference between Tofacitinib and USTEKINUMAB?

Tofacitinib is a JAK Inhibitor and USTEKINUMAB is a Biologic (IL-12/23 Inhibitor). They reach a similar treatment goal through different pharmacological mechanisms, which is why one may be tolerated by a patient who could not tolerate the other.

Can Tofacitinib and USTEKINUMAB be used for the same conditions?

Both medications are prescribed for overlapping indications including Rheumatoid Arthritis and Psoriatic Arthritis. Always verify with your prescriber and the current FDA label before switching.

Is Xeljanz the same as YESINTEK?

No. Xeljanz (Tofacitinib) and YESINTEK (USTEKINUMAB) are distinct medications. They are sometimes confused because of similar branding or because they treat overlapping conditions, but they have different active ingredients and different safety profiles.

Which has fewer side effects, Tofacitinib or USTEKINUMAB?

Side-effect frequency varies by individual. The side-effect comparison section on this page shows FAERS-reported events for each drug side by side. FAERS is voluntary reporting, so it reflects what patients and clinicians chose to report, not absolute population risk.

Can I switch from Tofacitinib to USTEKINUMAB?

Switching medications should always be done under prescriber supervision. The "patient stories" section on this page includes accounts from people who have made the switch and what their transition felt like, but those are individual experiences, not protocols.

Tofacitinib vs USTEKINUMAB

Compare Tofacitinib (Xeljanz) and USTEKINUMAB (YESINTEK) — clinical data, side effects, and patient experiences.

Tofacitinib

Xeljanz · JAK Inhibitor

How it works

Inhibits Janus kinases JAK1 and JAK3, modulating the signalling of interleukins and interferons involved in immune and inflammatory pathways.

Approved for

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Psoriatic Arthritis

Ulcerative Colitis

FDA: 2012OralTablet, Extended-release tablet

USTEKINUMAB

YESINTEK, Stelara · Biologic (IL-12/23 Inhibitor)

How it works

12.1 Mechanism of Action Ustekinumab products are human IgG1қ monoclonal antibodies that binds with specificity to the p40 protein subunit used by both the IL-12 and IL-23 cytokine...

Approved for

See full prescribing information

Subcutaneous, IntravenousTablet

Quick Comparison

TofacitinibUSTEKINUMAB

Drug Class

JAK Inhibitor

Biologic (IL-12/23 Inhibitor)

Route

Oral

Subcutaneous, Intravenous

Half-Life

—

FDA Approved

2012

—

Side Effect Frequency Comparison

Estimated frequency (%) based on clinical trial data

Side Effects

Tofacitinib

Drug Not Working

>10%

Joint Pain

1-10%

Condition Worsened

1-10%

Fatigue

1-10%

Headache

1-10%

Rash

0.1-1%

General Unwellness

0.1-1%

Limb Pain

0.1-1%

USTEKINUMAB

Drug Not Working

>10%

Fatigue

1-10%

Joint Pain

1-10%

Rash

1-10%

Headache

1-10%

Condition Worsened

0.1-1%

FDA Warnings

Tofacitinib

Black Box: Serious infections, mortality, malignancy, MACE, thrombosis
Lymphoma risk

USTEKINUMAB

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Infections: Serious infections have occurred
If a serious infection or clinically significant infection develops, discontinue YESINTEK until the infection resolves
1 ) Theoretical Risk for Particular Infections: Serious infections from mycobacteria, salmonella, and Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccinations have been reported in patients genetically deficient in IL-12/IL-23
3) Malignancies: Ustekinumab products may increase risk of malignancy

Community Sentiment Analysis

Based on 13 Reddit discussions

Tofacitinib

positive

0 threads

USTEKINUMAB

38%

positive

13 threads

Community-Reported Side Effects

% of discussions mentioning each side effect

Community Discussions

No community discussions found for Tofacitinib yet.

Community Discussions

13 Reddit threads analysed for USTEKINUMAB

Overall Sentiment

Mixed

Comparison Threads

Avg Post Score

9 upvotes

Most discussed side effects in community

Itching (2)

Fatigue (1)

Patient Experiences (r/pharmacy, r/AskDocs & more)

newsflash week 43.2025

Welcome back to this week's newsflash 1. Surgery for UC can be a major life change, but it is often a necessary step when medications fail. Understanding the adjustments to diet and daily life afterward is crucial for recovery and long-term well-being. This guide explores what patients can expect re

r/UlcerativeColitis4446mo ago

The Effectiveness of Medications for Ulcerative Colitis

#The Effectiveness of Medications for Ulcerative Colitis *This post was last revised September 19, 2019.* Here I have compiled data on the effectiveness of medications used to treat ulcerative colitis, as compared to placebos or to other medications. ###Risk Ratios (RRs) All values here are shown as

r/UlcerativeColitis2896y ago

Itching

Currently changing from 7 years of Eternacept (Enbrel) to Ustekinumab (Stelara). Anyone else made an antibody change and…

Since eternacept started to wear off over the years my docs gave me the choice to switch to Ustekinumab. The 3 months injection rhythm sounds pretty unreal when coming from 3-day-interval Eternacept jabs, but well.. you could call it progress in medical science. I am now 3 weeks in after my first do

r/Psoriasis71411y ago

Itching

Stelara Experience

I wanted to follow-up on a previous post I made regarding starting Stelara. https://old.reddit.com/r/Psoriasis/comments/yjhr6z/plaque_psoriasis_after_a_covid_vaccine/ I have now be on Stelara for 7 months and it has nearly cleared my Psoriasis. I stopped applying Clobetasol some months ago and each

r/Psoriasis793y ago

Fatigue

It’s getting out of control and I don’t know what to do.

I’ve been on biologics for about a year now, i started in December 2024. About 45ml shot of Ustekinumab every 3 months as prescribed by my dermatologist. Problem is, it is losing its efficacy. Since August, every time it clears up about 70%, the same thing happens, it comes back worse even with topi

r/Psoriasis6215mo ago

Risankizumab More Effective in Psoriasis Than Ustekinumab in Early Trial

Phase 3 trials to commence. Possibly another biological option. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/878838

r/Psoriasis659y ago

(SFN) Sulforaphane (Broccoli Sprout) as a possible natural alternative to Stelara Biologic?

Sulforaphane Protects from T Cell–Mediated Autoimmune Disease by Inhibition of IL-23 and IL-12 in Dendritic Cells [https://www.jimmunol.org/content/192/8/3530](https://www.jimmunol.org/content/192/8/3530) **Ustekinumab,** sold under the brand name **Stelara** is a [monoclonal antibody](https://en.wi

r/Psoriasis483y ago

Psoriasis diagnose

Hi everyone, i went through a lot of derms(atleast) from hand eczeme to funghus .. it is everything but nothing helps… my newest diagnose is pustulare psoriasis.. I aplied Winxory for 2weeks where my hands got „fine“ and then it happend again. my derm wants to put me on Ustekinumab?? just wante

r/Psoriasis342mo ago

Community discussions are sourced from public Reddit threads. Content reflects individual opinions and is not medical advice.

Tofacitinib vs USTEKINUMAB: What You Should Know

Key Differences

Tofacitinib is a JAK Inhibitor, while USTEKINUMAB belongs to the Biologic (IL-12/23 Inhibitor) class. This means they work through different pharmacological mechanisms, which may influence both efficacy and side effect profiles. Tofacitinib is administered via Oral, whereas USTEKINUMAB uses Subcutaneous or Intravenous. Route of administration can affect onset of action and patient adherence.

Safety Considerations

Tofacitinib carries 2 FDA warnings. USTEKINUMAB carries 4 FDA warnings. Patients should discuss all warnings and contraindications with their healthcare provider before starting or switching medications..

This comparison is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making medication decisions.

Related Comparisons

USTEKINUMAB vs USTEKINUMAB-AEKN→USTEKINUMAB vs USTEKINUMAB-SRLF→USTEKINUMAB vs USTEKINUMAB-TTWE→ADALIMUMAB vs USTEKINUMAB→GUSELKUMAB vs USTEKINUMAB→METHOTREXATE vs USTEKINUMAB→

Primary sources

Every figure on this comparison links back to its primary source. See data sources and methodology for the full provenance trail.

Tofacitinib: DailyMed label · FAERS adverse events · ClinicalTrials.gov
USTEKINUMAB: DailyMed label · FAERS adverse events · ClinicalTrials.gov

Loading comparison data...

Tofacitinib vs USTEKINUMAB

Compare Tofacitinib (Xeljanz) and USTEKINUMAB (YESINTEK) — clinical data, side effects, and patient experiences.

Tofacitinib

Xeljanz · JAK Inhibitor

How it works

Inhibits Janus kinases JAK1 and JAK3, modulating the signalling of interleukins and interferons involved in immune and inflammatory pathways.

Approved for

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Psoriatic Arthritis

Ulcerative Colitis

FDA: 2012OralTablet, Extended-release tablet

USTEKINUMAB

YESINTEK, Stelara · Biologic (IL-12/23 Inhibitor)

How it works

12.1 Mechanism of Action Ustekinumab products are human IgG1қ monoclonal antibodies that binds with specificity to the p40 protein subunit used by both the IL-12 and IL-23 cytokine...

Approved for

See full prescribing information

Subcutaneous, IntravenousTablet

Quick Comparison

TofacitinibUSTEKINUMAB

Drug Class

JAK Inhibitor

Biologic (IL-12/23 Inhibitor)

Route

Oral

Subcutaneous, Intravenous

Half-Life

—

FDA Approved

2012

—

Side Effect Frequency Comparison

Estimated frequency (%) based on clinical trial data

Side Effects

Tofacitinib

Drug Not Working

>10%

Joint Pain

1-10%

Condition Worsened

1-10%

Fatigue

1-10%

Headache

1-10%

Rash

0.1-1%

General Unwellness

0.1-1%

Limb Pain

0.1-1%

USTEKINUMAB

Drug Not Working

>10%

Fatigue

1-10%

Joint Pain

1-10%

Rash

1-10%

Headache

1-10%

Condition Worsened

0.1-1%

FDA Warnings

Tofacitinib

Black Box: Serious infections, mortality, malignancy, MACE, thrombosis
Lymphoma risk

USTEKINUMAB

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Infections: Serious infections have occurred
If a serious infection or clinically significant infection develops, discontinue YESINTEK until the infection resolves
1 ) Theoretical Risk for Particular Infections: Serious infections from mycobacteria, salmonella, and Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccinations have been reported in patients genetically deficient in IL-12/IL-23
3) Malignancies: Ustekinumab products may increase risk of malignancy