You should not use Jakafi if you are allergic to ruxolitinib, or if you have severe kidney disease.
Before you take this medicine, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, if you are on dialysis, or if you are pregnant.
You should not breast-feed while you are using this medicine.
To be sure Jakafi is helping your condition and not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested often. This will help your doctor determine the best dose for you to use. When you first start taking this medicine, your blood will need to be tested every 2 to 4 weeks. Do not miss any follow-up visits to your doctor.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Jakafi and can affect the amount of the medication in your blood. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor.
Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Jakafi if you are allergic to ruxolitinib.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had tuberculosis or if anyone in your household has tuberculosis. Also tell your doctor if you have recently traveled. Tuberculosis and some fungal infections are more common in certain parts of the world, and you may have been exposed during travel.
To make sure Jakafi is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
any type of chronic infection;
kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
liver disease (especially hepatitis B);
skin cancer; or
high cholesterol or triglycerides (types of fat in the blood).
Using Jakafi may increase your risk of developing skin cancer. Talk to your doctor about this risk and what skin symptoms to watch for.
It is not known whether ruxolitinib will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
You should not breastfeed while you are using Jakafi, and for at least 2 weeks after your last dose.
Jakafi is not approved to treat myelofibrosis or polycythemia vera in anyone younger than 18 years old.
How should I take Jakafi?
Take Jakafi exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. You will need frequent medical tests to help your doctor determine the best dose. When you first start taking Jakafi, your blood will need to be tested every 2 to 4 weeks.
You may take Jakafi with or without food. The Jakafi tablet can also be given through a nasogastric (NG) feeding tube.
Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
You should not stop using Jakafi suddenly. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose.
You may be given other medications to help prevent infection. Keep using these medicines for as long as your doctor has prescribed.
