What is Jakafi? Uses, warnings & side effects

How to take Jakafi

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

• If you receive dialysis treatments, take this medicine after your treatment.

• If you cannot swallow the tablet whole, you may dissolve it in about 40 milliliters (mL) of water, with stirring, for about 10 minutes. Take the mixture using a nasogastric tube within 6 hours. Then, rinse the tube with about 75 mL of water.

• Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

• Missed dose: Skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

• If you cannot swallow the tablet whole, you may dissolve it in about 40 milliliters (mL) of water, with stirring, for about 10 minutes. Take the mixture using a nasogastric tube within 6 hours. Then, rinse the tube with about 75 mL of water.

• Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

• If you receive dialysis treatments, take this medicine after your treatment.

• Missed dose: Skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

What to do if you miss a dose of Jakafi

Jakafi contraindications - Who shouldn't take Jakafi?

• This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to ruxolitinib.

Jakafi warnings

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, high cholesterol, any type of infection, or a history of tuberculosis or skin cancer. Tell your doctor if you are on dialysis.

• Do not breastfeed during treatment with this medicine and for 2 weeks after the last dose.

• This medicine may cause the following problems:Increased risk for skin cancerIncreased cholesterol levels

• This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. You will be at risk for infections including herpes, tuberculosis (TB), hepatitis B, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (brain infection), or fungal infections. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

• You will need to have a TB skin test before you start this medicine. Tell your doctor if you or anyone in your home has ever had a positive TB skin test or been exposed to TB.

• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Jakafi interactions & what to avoid when taking Jakafi

• Some foods and medicines can affect how ruxolitinib works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:Boceprevir, conivaptan, mibefradil, nefazodone, telaprevirMedicine to treat an infection (including clarithromycin, erythromycin, fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, rifampin, telithromycin, voriconazole)Medicine to treat HIV infection (including indinavir, lopinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir)

• Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine.

• This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often. Infections include progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (a brain infection) and herpes zoster.

• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.