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Polycythemia Vera

Taking JAKAFI

Available in 2 dosing options: twice daily and once daily

What to know about starting JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR

Before you start taking JAKAFI® (ruxolitinib) or JAKAFI XR™ (ruxolitinib) 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 of JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR, if necessary

JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR?

Each person with polycythemia vera (PV) is unique, and 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.

How should I take JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR?

  • 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
  • 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
  • If you are prescribed JAKAFI, take JAKAFI 2x a day with or without food
  • If you are prescribed JAKAFI XR, take JAKAFI XR 1x a day with or without food
  • Swallow JAKAFI XR whole and intact

JAKAFI and JAKAFI XR come in different dosage strengths

Because everyone is different, and because your dosage may change during treatment, JAKAFI and JAKAFI XR are available in different dosage strengths. You should take the dose prescribed to you by your doctor.

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.

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

Recommended starting dose of JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR for adults with PV who have already taken a medicine called hydroxyurea (HU) and it did not work well enough or they could not tolerate it

For most adults with PV who tried HU and it did not work well enough or they could not tolerate it, the recommended starting dose is:

  • 10 mg taken by mouth twice daily with JAKAFI
  • 22 mg taken by mouth once daily with JAKAFI XR

Your doctor may adjust your dose if you have or had liver or kidney problems or are taking certain medicines.

Before you start JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR and regularly during treatment, your doctor will check your blood counts. Your doctor may increase or decrease the dose, or pause treatment, based on your blood counts and symptoms.

What to remember when taking JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR

Graphic of crushing something being crossed out—indicating not to crush or break while taking Jakafi

Always follow your doctor’s directions. It’s important to take JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR exactly as your doctor  prescribes. Take JAKAFI XR exactly as directed; swallow it whole. Do not crush, break, or chew.

Graphic of a person leaving their house, indicating they can take Jakafi and Jakafi XR at home or on the go

Take JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR at home or on the go. JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR is a prescription medicine available as a tablet  that’s taken orally when it fits into your routine.

icon food

JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR can be taken with or without food.

Graphic of clock

Take JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR around the same time every day. Try taking it at the same time as you perform  another daily activity, like brushing your teeth.

Graphic of medication bottle and pills

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.

What to tell your doctor before taking JAKAFI and 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, or herbal supplements you’re taking. Some medicines can change how JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR works, so it’s important to share everything with your doctor. 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 for JAKAFI at 1-855-452-5234 or visit IncyteCARES.com/JAKAFI.

NEXT: What to Expect

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What is JAKAFI® or JAKAFI XR™?

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.

Important Safety Information

JAKAFI or JAKAFI XR 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

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 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, including Patient Information, which includes 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.