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Taking JAKAFI XR™ (ruxolitinib) for Myelofibrosis (MF)

Available in 2 dosing options: twice daily and once daily

JAKAFI® (ruxolitinib) or JAKAFI XR?

Each person with MF is unique. You and your doctor will determine whether twice-daily JAKAFI or once-daily JAKAFI XR is right for you. JAKAFI XR is an extended-release tablet designed to release ruxolitinib gradually and maintain a consistent level of medication in your body throughout the entire day.

Graphic icon of patient taking pill

JAKAFI XR has the same active ingredient as twice-daily JAKAFI, so you can expect the same experience in a once-daily dose. Choose the time of day that fits your daily routine and remember to take JAKAFI XR once a day, at the same time every day.

ONE LESS DOSE EACH DAY. ONE LESS THING TO REMEMBER.

When it comes to daily treatment, discover how less can mean more.

For illustration purposes only.Tablet depictions shown do not represent actual tablet size, color, or exact count.

"I have to take it once a day, so I don't have to worry about it. I don't have to think about it."
— Tamera, a real patient living with MF

JAKAFI and JAKAFI XR come in different dosage strengths

Because everyone is different, your doctor will determine the optimal dosage strength of JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR that’s right for you. While your response to JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR is being monitored, it may be necessary to increase or decrease your dose, or to pause your treatment. This is a conversation that you should have with your doctor.

Your doctor will determine the best dosing option for you by taking several factors into account, including:

  • The results of your blood work
  • Certain other medical conditions you may have
  • Other medications you may be taking

JAKAFI twice-daily dosing

Jakafi® ruxolitinib 5 mg tablet Jakafi® ruxolitinib 10 mg tablet Jakafi® ruxolitinib 15 mg tablet Jakafi® ruxolitinib 20 mg tablet Jakafi® ruxolitinib 25 mg tablet

JAKAFI XR once-daily dosing

Jakafi XR™ ruxolitinib 11 mg tablet Jakafi XR™ ruxolitinib 22 mg tablet Jakafi XR™ ruxolitinib 33 mg tablet Jakafi XR™ ruxolitinib 44 mg tablet Jakafi XR™ ruxolitinib 55 mg tablet

Tablets shown are not actual size.
For illustration purposes only.

What to know about starting JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR

Before you start taking JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR and throughout the duration of your treatment, your doctor will perform a blood test called a complete blood count (CBC). This will help them:

  • Determine the right starting dose of JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR for you
  • Monitor how you’re doing on treatment
  • Adjust your dose or stop JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR, if necessary

How to take JAKAFI and JAKAFI XR

Two times icon

If you are prescribed JAKAFI, take JAKAFI 2× a day or exactly as your doctor tells you, with or without food.

One times icon

If you are prescribed JAKAFI XR, take JAKAFI XR 1× a day with or without food.

Mortar and pestle icon

Swallow JAKAFI XR whole and intact. Do not split, crush, or chew.

Graphic icon of a pill

Take JAKAFI and JAKAFI XR at home or on the go. JAKAFI XR and JAKAFI are available as tablets that are taken orally.

Graphic icon of clock

With JAKAFI XR, treatment-free evenings start with a daily routine. Take JAKAFI XR at the same time each day to help make once-daily dosing fit into your daily regimen.

Graphic icon of documents

If you miss a dose of JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR, take your next dose at your regular time. Do not take 2 doses at the same time. If you take too much JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR, call your doctor or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away. Take the bottle of JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR with you.

Graphic icon of medication bottle

Take JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR exactly as your doctor tells you. Do not change your dose or stop taking JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR without first talking to your doctor.

Graphic icon of a blood drop

You will have regularly scheduled blood tests during your treatment with JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR. Based on the results, your doctor may change your dose or stop JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR.

Recommended starting dose of JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR for intermediate- or high-risk MF

For intermediate- or high-risk MF, the recommended starting dose is based on your platelet counts. Before you start JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR, your doctor will perform a CBC to determine the appropriate dose.

  • For people taking JAKAFI, the starting dose will be taken twice a day by mouth
  • For people taking JAKAFI XR, the starting dose will be taken once a day by mouth

During treatment, your doctor may check your blood cell counts regularly to make sure they don’t become too low. Depending on how you respond to JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR, your doctor may increase or decrease the dose, or pause treatment, based on your blood counts and symptoms. In some instances, your doctor may have to temporarily stop your treatment with JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR.

What you should tell your doctor before taking JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR

Before taking JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR, tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including:

  • Prescription and over-the-counter medicines
  • Vitamins
  • Herbal supplements

Some medicines can change how JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR works, so it’s important to share everything with your doctor. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine. Be sure to mention any health problems you may have or had in the past, if you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or breastfeeding.

For more information about getting your JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR prescription filled, contact IncyteCARES at 1-855-452-5234 or visit IncyteCARES.com/JAKAFI.

Graphic icon of two chat boxes

Ask your doctor today if once-daily JAKAFI XR could be right for you.

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Have you been prescribed JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR?

See how IncyteCARES helps eligible patients with access and support.

See Ways to Enroll
 
 

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

JAKAFI® or JAKAFI XR™ (ruxolitinib) can cause serious side effects, including:

Low blood counts: JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR may cause low platelet, red blood cell, and white blood cell counts. If you develop bleeding, stop taking JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR and call your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will do a blood test to check your blood counts before you start and regularly during your treatment. Your healthcare provider may change your dose or stop your treatment based on the results of your blood tests.
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop or have worsening symptoms such as

  • unusual bleeding
  • bruising
  • tiredness
  • shortness of breath
  • a fever

Infection: You may be at risk for developing a serious infection during treatment with JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop any of the following symptoms of infection:

  • chills
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • aches
  • weakness
  • fever
  • painful skin rash or blisters 

What is JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR?

JAKAFI® or JAKAFI XR™ (ruxolitinib) is a prescription medication used to treat adults with certain types of myelofibrosis (MF).
It is not known if JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR is safe or effective in children for treatment of myelofibrosis.

JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR is a prescription medication used to treat adults with polycythemia vera (PV) who have already taken a medicine called hydroxyurea and it did not work well enough or they could not tolerate it.
It is not known if JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR is safe or effective in children for treatment of polycythemia vera.

JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR is a prescription medication used to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older with acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) who have taken corticosteroids and they did not work well enough.

JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR is a prescription medication used to treat adults and children 12 years of age and older with chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) who have taken one or two types of treatments and they did not work well enough.

Worsening of symptoms after interrupting or stopping treatment. Signs and symptoms of myelofibrosis may worsen after you stop treatment.
Do not interrupt or stop treatment without talking to your healthcare provider. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following after stopping treatment:

  • fever  
  • trouble breathing
  • weakness
  • night sweats
  • feeling dizzy or lightheaded
  • pain in left upper stomach area or left shoulder

Cancer: Some people have had certain types of non-melanoma skin cancers during treatment with JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR. Your healthcare provider will regularly check your skin during your treatment. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop any new or changing skin lesions during treatment.

Increases in cholesterol: You may have changes in your blood cholesterol levels during treatment with JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR. Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your cholesterol levels about every 8 to 12 weeks after you start taking JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR and as needed.

Increased risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke or death in people who have cardiovascular risk factors and who are current or past smokers while using another JAK inhibitor to treat rheumatoid arthritis:
Get emergency help right away if you get any symptoms of a heart attack or stroke during treatment with JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR, including:

  • discomfort in the center of your chest that lasts for more than a few minutes or that goes away and comes back
  • severe tightness, pain, pressure, or heaviness in your chest, throat, neck, or jaw
  • pain or discomfort in your arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach  
  • shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort 
  • breaking out in a cold sweat 
  • nausea or vomiting 
  • feeling lightheaded  
  • weakness in one part or on one side of your body 
  • slurred speech 

Increased risk of blood clots: Blood clots in the veins of your legs (deep vein thrombosis, DVT) or lungs (pulmonary embolism, PE) have happened in people taking another JAK inhibitor for rheumatoid arthritis and may be life-threatening.
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any signs and symptoms of blood clots during treatment with JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR, including:

  • swelling, pain, or tenderness in one or both legs
  • sudden, unexplained chest or upper back pain 
  • shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Possible increased risk of new (secondary) cancers: People who take another JAK inhibitor for rheumatoid arthritis have an increased risk of new (secondary) cancers, including lymphoma and other cancers. People who smoke or who smoked in the past have an added risk of new cancers.

The most common side effects of JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR include:

  • for certain types of myelofibrosis (MF) – low platelet or red blood cell counts, bruising, dizziness, headache, and diarrhea
  • for certain types of polycythemia vera (PV) – low platelet or red blood cell counts, bruising, dizziness, headache, and diarrhea
  • for acute GVHD – low platelet counts, low red or white blood cell counts, infections, and swelling
  • for chronic GVHD – low red blood cell or platelet counts and infections, including viral infections

These are not all the possible side effects. Ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for more information. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Before taking JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR, tell your healthcare provider about:

  • all the medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements you are taking
  • your medical conditions, including if you
    • have or had low white or red blood cell counts
    • have an infection
    • have or had tuberculosis (TB) or have been in close contact with someone who has TB
    • had shingles (herpes zoster)
    • have or had hepatitis B
    • have a high level of fat in your blood (high blood cholesterol or triglycerides)
    • have or have had a blood clot, heart attack, other heart problems, or stroke
    • are a current or past smoker
    • had cancer
    • have or had liver or kidney problems or are on dialysis. If you are on dialysis, JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR should be taken after your dialysis
    • have any other medical condition

Women should not take JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR while pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Do not breastfeed during treatment with JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR and for 2 weeks after the final dose.

How should I take JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR?

  • Take exactly as your healthcare provider tells you.
  • Do not change your dose or stop taking JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR without first talking to your healthcare provider. If you stop treatment, symptoms of your condition may return.
  • If you miss a dose, take your next dose at your regular time. Do NOT take 2 doses at the same time.
  • You may have regular blood tests during your treatment. Based on the results, your healthcare provider may change your dose or stop JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR.
  • IF YOU ARE PRESCRIBED JAKAFI:
    • Take JAKAFI 2 times a day or exactly as your healthcare provider tells you, with or without food.
    • JAKAFI may also be given through certain nasogastric tubes.
    • Tell your healthcare provider if you cannot take JAKAFI by mouth. Your healthcare provider will decide if you can take JAKAFI through a nasogastric tube. Ask your healthcare provider to give you specific instructions on how to properly take JAKAFI through a nasogastric tube.
  • IF YOU ARE PRESCRIBED JAKAFI XR:
    • Take JAKAFI XR 1 time a day with or without food.
    • Swallow JAKAFI XR whole. Do not split, crush, or chew.

Please see the Full Prescribing Information and Patient Information, which include a more complete discussion of the risks associated with JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

You may also report side effects to Incyte Medical Information at 1-855-463-3463.