The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice. It is meant for educational purposes only. For further details, consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you can receive this treatment.

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 unsuitable for children and adolescents below 18. Regular blood tests are recommended to monitor your blood cells, liver and kidney function, and lipid levels during treatment with this medicine. If you have lactose intolerance, inform your doctor before starting this therapy. Driving or using machinery should be avoided if you feel tired or sleepy, which may impair your vision.

1. 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
2. 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
3. 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/ 
4. 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/ 

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice; it is meant for educational purposes only. For further details, consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you are eligible to receive this treatment.