Ruxolitinib

• Myelofibrosis, including primary, post-polycythemia vera and post-essential thrombocythemia myelofibrosis.
• Polycythemia vera in patients who are resistant to or cannot tolerate hydroxyurea.
• Acute graft-versus-host disease (a complication of the transplant procedure that replaces diseased bone marrow with healthy bone marrow) in adults and children aged 12 and older when steroid medicines have not worked.

When should one not use Ruxolitinib

• Allergy to Ruxolitinib or any excipients of Ruxolitinib.
• Pregnancy and lactation.

Common side effects of this drug are:

• Infections:
• Urinary tract infections
• Herpes zoster
• CMV infections (cytomegalovirus)
• Sepsis
• Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders:
• Anaemia (low red blood cell count)
• Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)
• Neutropenia (low neutrophil count)
• Bleeding (including various types such as bruising, gastrointestinal, intracranial, nosebleeds, post-procedural, and blood in urine)
• Bruising
• Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders:
• Hypercholesterolaemia (high cholesterol)
• Hypertriglyceridaemia (high triglycerides)
• Weight gain
• Nervous System Disorders:
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Gastrointestinal Disorders:
• Elevated lipase (an enzyme)
• Constipation
• Nausea
• Increased amylase (an enzyme)
• Hepatobiliary Disorders (liver & bile ducts):
• Increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
• Increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
• Vascular Disorders:
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders:
• Increased blood creatine phosphokinase (CPK)
• Renal and Urinary Disorders:
• Increased blood creatinine

Other General Warnings

• You have a lower platelet count.
• You develop signs or symptoms of an infection.
• You have an active serious infection.
• You have a history of tuberculosis or have been in close contact with someone who has tuberculosis.
• You have chronic Hepatitis B infection (as your doctor may need to monitor your HBV viral load).
• You notice early signs and symptoms of herpes zoster (shingles).
• You experience any new or worsening cognitive, neurological, or psychiatric symptoms or signs (as these could be suggestive of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML)).
• You have lipid abnormalities (high cholesterol or triglycerides).
• You are 65 years of age or older.
• You are a current or past long-time smoker.
• You have a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or other cardiovascular risk factors.
• You have cardiovascular risk factors.
• You have additional risk factors for venous thromboembolic events (VTE), such as a history of VTE, major surgery, immobilization, combined hormonal contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy, or an inherited coagulation disorder.
• You develop symptoms of thrombosis (such as leg swelling, pain, redness, or chest pain and shortness of breath).
• You have a history of extended treatment with hydroxyurea or prior non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) or pre-malignant skin lesions (as periodic skin examination is recommended).
• You have severe kidney impairment or are on haemodialysis (as your starting dose of Ruxolitinib may need to be reduced).
• You have liver impairment.
• You experience a return of myelofibrosis (MF) symptoms after stopping or interrupting Ruxolitinib.

How Does It Work?

Overdose

Missed a Dose