Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Jakavi (Ruxolitinib).
Anemia: Jakavi (Ruxolitinib) may cause low levels of red blood cells. If you experience symptoms of reduced red blood cell count (anemia) such as shortness of breath, feeling unusually tired, or pale skin, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Your doctor will do blood tests regularly to monitor the amounts of specific types of blood cells in your blood.
Bleeding: Jakavi (Ruxolitinib) can reduce the number of platelet cells in the blood. Platelets help the blood to clot and if there aren't enough, you may bleed more easily. If you notice signs of unusual bruising or bleeding (e.g., blood in urine, cuts that won't stop bleeding, black stools, bleeding gums), contact your doctor.
Grapefruit juice: Grapefruit juice affects how Jakavi (Ruxolitinib) is removed from the body. It may cause too much of the medication to build up in the body and cause possibly harmful side effects. People should not drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit at any time while taking Jakavi (Ruxolitinib) for treatment.
Heart rhythm: Jakavi (Ruxolitinib) can cause changes to the normal rhythm of the heart, including a decrease in heart rate and an irregular heartbeat.
If you are at risk for heart rhythm problems (e.g., have a slow heart rate, an abnormal heart rhythm, heart failure, or heart disease), discuss with your doctor how Jakavi (Ruxolitinib) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Jakavi (Ruxolitinib), and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Infection: Jakavi (Ruxolitinib) can reduce the number of cells that fight infection in the body (white blood cells). Tell your doctor immediately if you notice signs of an infection, such as fever or chills, severe diarrhea, shortness of breath, prolonged dizziness, headache, stiff neck, weight loss, or listlessness. Your doctor will do blood tests regularly to monitor the number of specific types of blood cells in your blood.
Kidney function: Decreased kidney function or Kidney Disease may cause Jakavi (Ruxolitinib) to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have reduced kidney function or kidney disease, discuss with your doctor how Jakavi (Ruxolitinib) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Jakavi (Ruxolitinib), and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Lactose intolerance: Jakavi (Ruxolitinib) contains lactose. If you have galactose intolerance (galactosemia, glucose-galactose malabsorption, or Lapp lactase deficiency), you should not take Jakavi (Ruxolitinib).
Liver function: Decreased liver function or liver disease causes Jakavi (Ruxolitinib) to build up in the body and may cause side effects. If you have liver problems, discuss with your doctor how Jakavi (Ruxolitinib) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Jakavi (Ruxolitinib), and whether any special monitoring is needed. Jakavi (Ruxolitinib) can affect your liver function. Your doctor may want to regularly test your liver function with blood tests while you are taking Jakavi (Ruxolitinib). If you experience symptoms of liver problems such as fatigue, feeling unwell, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain or swelling, and itchy skin, contact your doctor immediately.
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML): There have been reports of PML after using Jakavi (Ruxolitinib). PML is a rare disorder that causes nerve damage in the brain. If you experience memory loss, vision loss, trouble thinking, or difficulty walking, contact your doctor immediately.
Skin Cancer: People taking this mediation have reported certain types of skin cancer. Report any skin changes or sores that do not heal to your doctor.
Pregnancy: Jakavi (Ruxolitinib) should not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking Jakavi (Ruxolitinib), contact your doctor immediately. Men and women taking Jakavi (Ruxolitinib) should use an effective method of birth control (e.g., birth control pill, condoms) during treatment.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if Jakavi (Ruxolitinib) passes into breast milk. Women taking Jakavi (Ruxolitinib) should not breast-feed.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of Jakavi (Ruxolitinib) have not been clearly established for children less than 18 years of age.
