RUXOLITINIB

The information provided on this page is educational in nature and does not replace medical advice. It is intended for informational purposes only. To determine whether this treatment is appropriate for your medical condition, please discuss with your doctor.

Ruxolitinib treats myelofibrosis, polycythemia vera, and graft versus host disease (GvHD).

Ruxolitinib is available as a tablet with 5mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, and 25 mg. The recommended dose of Ruxolitinib is based on platelet count. If the platelet count is greater than 200,000/mm3, the recommended dose is 20 mg twice daily. Take this medication with or without food. Avoid crushing or chewing instead of swallowing it whole.

The common side effects that are likely to occur while you are on the treatment with Ruxolitinib are dizziness, headache, high cholesterol levels, weight gain, high blood pressure, difficulty in breathing, pain in the chest, constipation, flatulence, etc. If you experience skin rash with blisters, low blood cell count, fever, chills, or infections, report to your physician immediately.

Inform your doctor immediately if you experience allergies (hypersensitive) with Ruxolitinib and its ingredients. If you have liver, kidney, or heart problems, report to your doctor. You might require routine blood tests while taking Ruxolitinib to monitor your blood counts. Tell your physician if you notice any signs of infection such as fever, sore throat, or rash or if you have or ever had skin cancer, tuberculosis, or infections before taking this medication.

Consult your doctor before using Ruxolitinib if you are pregnant or plan to have a baby. Even though there are limited studies on humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Before prescribing them, your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks. Effective contraceptive methods used by men and women during treatment are recommended to avoid pregnancy. Avoid breastfeeding your baby while on this medication as it is unknown if Ruxolitinib passes into the breastmilk.

Ruxolitinib is not suitable for children and adolescents under 18 years of age. During treatment with this medicine, regular blood tests are recommended to monitor blood cell counts, liver function, kidney function, and lipid levels. If you have lactose intolerance, inform your doctor before beginning this therapy. Avoid driving or operating machinery if you experience tiredness or sleepiness, as these may impair your vision.

Novartis Europharm Limited, Electronic medicines compendium (EMC), [Revised on March 2022] [ Accessed on 24th Aug 2022], https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.7786.pdf Incyte Corporation, US Food and Drug Administration, [Revised on July 2022] [ Accessed on 24th Aug 2022], https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/215309s001lbl.pdf Heiko Becker et al; Ruxolitinib; Recent Results in Cancer Research; Published on 2014; Accessed on 24/08/2022; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24756798/ Stefanie Ajayi et al; Ruxolitinib; Recent Results in Cancer Research; Published on 2018; Accessed on 24/08/2022; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30069628/