Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsIndicationsRecommended DoseRisks and Side EffectsInteractions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Indications

Recommended Dose

Risks and Side Effects

Interactions

Jakafi (ruxolitinib) is a type of drug called aJanus kinase (JAK) inhibitorthat is used to treat blood cancers known aspolycythemia vera(PV)andmyelofibrosis.Both aremyeloproliferative neoplasmsthat cause bone marrow to make too many blood cells.

The articles describe the uses of Jafaki, including how the drug is prescribed and taken. It also lists the possible risks, side effects, and drug interactions.

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Close up of doctor with bottle writing a prescription

What Is Jakafi Used For?

How Is Jakafi Used?

Jakufi is given at a lower starting dose that is gradually increased until the desired effect is achieved. This allows the healthcare provider to monitor for potentially serious side effects.

During treatment, your healthcare will monitor your blood counts to ensure they remain within the normal range. If they don’t, the dose may need to be reduced or the drug temporarily stopped and restarted.

Because Jakafi drug can causeliver toxicity, the dose may need to be reduced for people with pre-existing liver disease.

Jakafi is stored at room temperature (68 F to 77 F) but can be kept at temperatures between 59 F and 86 F for short excursions. Keep the drug in its original, light-resistant container, and do not store it in your glove compartment or on a sunny windowsill. Discard any drug that has expired.

Possible Side Effects of Jakafi

There are no contraindications to Jakafi. Because PV, myelofibrosis, and GVHD are serious and potentially life-threatening, the benefits of treatment generally outweigh the risks.

With that said, Jakafi does carry a significant risk of side effects. most commonly due to steep drops in red blood cells (anemia), platelets (thrombocytopenia), and white blood cells known as neutrophils (neutropenia).

Common side effects of Jakafi include:

Jakafi and PregnancyThe risks of Jakafi during pregnancy are unknown. If you are or intend to get pregnant, speak with your healthcare provider to weigh the risks and benefits of treatment.It is also unknown if Jakafi can be passed through breast milk. Breastfeeding should be avoided while you are on treatment.

Jakafi and Pregnancy

The risks of Jakafi during pregnancy are unknown. If you are or intend to get pregnant, speak with your healthcare provider to weigh the risks and benefits of treatment.It is also unknown if Jakafi can be passed through breast milk. Breastfeeding should be avoided while you are on treatment.

The risks of Jakafi during pregnancy are unknown. If you are or intend to get pregnant, speak with your healthcare provider to weigh the risks and benefits of treatment.

It is also unknown if Jakafi can be passed through breast milk. Breastfeeding should be avoided while you are on treatment.

Possible Drug Interactions

There are many possible drug interactions with Zakafi. This is because the drug relies on a liver enzyme called cytochrome P3A4 (CYP3A4) for metabolization (the process of breaking substances so that they can be distributed throughout the body).

Because other drugs rely on CYP3A4 for metabolization, there may be competition for the available enzyme. In some cases, this can cause concentrations of Zafaki to drop due to the lack of CYP3A4, making the drug less effective.

Possible drug interactions include:

Advise your healthcare of any drugs you take whether they are prescription, over-the-counter, nutritional, herbal, or recreational.

Summary

Jakafi can interact with many drugs so advise your healthcare provider about any drugs you take prior to starting treatment.

6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Incyte Corporation.Jakafi (ruxolitinib) tablets, for oral use.National Cancer Institute.Myeloproliferative neoplasms.Zeiser R, Blazar BR.Acute graft-versus-host disease - biologic process, prevention, and therapy.N Engl J Med. 2017;377(22):2167-79. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1609337Appeldoorn TYJ, Munnick THO, Morsink LM, Lub-de Hooge MN, Touw DJ.Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ruxolitinib: a review.Clin Pharmacokinet.2023;62(4):559–571. doi:10.1007/s40262-023-01225-7Garmezy B, Schaefer JK, Mercer J, Talpaz M.A provider’s guide to primary myelofibrosis: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management.Blood Reviews. 2021;45:100691. doi:10.1016/j.blre.2020.100691Tefferi A, Vannucchi AM, Barbui T.Polycythemia vera: historical oversights, diagnostic details, and therapeutic views.Leukemia.2021 Sep 3. doi:10.1038/s41375-021-01401-3

6 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Incyte Corporation.Jakafi (ruxolitinib) tablets, for oral use.National Cancer Institute.Myeloproliferative neoplasms.Zeiser R, Blazar BR.Acute graft-versus-host disease - biologic process, prevention, and therapy.N Engl J Med. 2017;377(22):2167-79. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1609337Appeldoorn TYJ, Munnick THO, Morsink LM, Lub-de Hooge MN, Touw DJ.Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ruxolitinib: a review.Clin Pharmacokinet.2023;62(4):559–571. doi:10.1007/s40262-023-01225-7Garmezy B, Schaefer JK, Mercer J, Talpaz M.A provider’s guide to primary myelofibrosis: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management.Blood Reviews. 2021;45:100691. doi:10.1016/j.blre.2020.100691Tefferi A, Vannucchi AM, Barbui T.Polycythemia vera: historical oversights, diagnostic details, and therapeutic views.Leukemia.2021 Sep 3. doi:10.1038/s41375-021-01401-3

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Incyte Corporation.Jakafi (ruxolitinib) tablets, for oral use.National Cancer Institute.Myeloproliferative neoplasms.Zeiser R, Blazar BR.Acute graft-versus-host disease - biologic process, prevention, and therapy.N Engl J Med. 2017;377(22):2167-79. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1609337Appeldoorn TYJ, Munnick THO, Morsink LM, Lub-de Hooge MN, Touw DJ.Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ruxolitinib: a review.Clin Pharmacokinet.2023;62(4):559–571. doi:10.1007/s40262-023-01225-7Garmezy B, Schaefer JK, Mercer J, Talpaz M.A provider’s guide to primary myelofibrosis: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management.Blood Reviews. 2021;45:100691. doi:10.1016/j.blre.2020.100691Tefferi A, Vannucchi AM, Barbui T.Polycythemia vera: historical oversights, diagnostic details, and therapeutic views.Leukemia.2021 Sep 3. doi:10.1038/s41375-021-01401-3

Incyte Corporation.Jakafi (ruxolitinib) tablets, for oral use.

National Cancer Institute.Myeloproliferative neoplasms.

Zeiser R, Blazar BR.Acute graft-versus-host disease - biologic process, prevention, and therapy.N Engl J Med. 2017;377(22):2167-79. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1609337

Appeldoorn TYJ, Munnick THO, Morsink LM, Lub-de Hooge MN, Touw DJ.Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ruxolitinib: a review.Clin Pharmacokinet.2023;62(4):559–571. doi:10.1007/s40262-023-01225-7

Garmezy B, Schaefer JK, Mercer J, Talpaz M.A provider’s guide to primary myelofibrosis: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management.Blood Reviews. 2021;45:100691. doi:10.1016/j.blre.2020.100691

Tefferi A, Vannucchi AM, Barbui T.Polycythemia vera: historical oversights, diagnostic details, and therapeutic views.Leukemia.2021 Sep 3. doi:10.1038/s41375-021-01401-3

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