INTRODUCTION
JAKAVI 15MG contains Ruxolitinib which belongs to a group of medicines called kinase inhibitors. It is indicated to treat enlarged spleen or with symptoms related to myelofibrosis (a rare form of blood cancer). It is also used to control the haematocrit (the amount of red blood cells in the blood) in patients with polycythemia vera.
Ruxolitinib is a selective inhibitor of the Janus Kinases which blocks the action of certain enzymes and reduces the size of the spleen in patients with myelofibrosis and helps to reduce the risk of serious blood or vascular complications. This medicine also reduces the amount of red blood cells in the blood in patients with polycythemia vera.
Before taking JAKAVI 15MG, tell your physician if you have liver, kidney or heart problems, are pregnant or breastfeeding. This medicine is not suitable for use in children and adolescents below 18 years of age. The common side effects are headache, dizziness and infections.
USES OF JAKAVI 15MG
- Treats enlarged spleen or with symptoms related to myelofibrosis (a rare form of blood cancer) and polycythemia vera
HOW JAKAVI 15MG WORKS
Ruxolitinib is a kinase inhibitor that works at reducing spleen size and or its associated symptoms caused by myelofibrosis.
DIRECTIONS FOR USE
Always take JAKAVI 15MG as instructed by your doctor. Swallow whole and do not crush or chew. It can be taken with or without food.
SIDE EFFECTS OF JAKAVI 15MG
SERIOUS
- confusion, difficulty thinking, walking and speaking, loss of balance, clumsiness, difficulty decreased strength or weakness on one side of your body, blurred and/or loss of vision
- swelling, pain in arm or leg appear red and warm to touch
- chest pain that may increase with deep breathing, cough, coughing up bloody sputum, shortness of breath
COMMON
- urinary tract infection
- tiredness, fatigue, shortness of breath, pale skin
- infections, fever, chills, sore throat and mouth ulcers
- spontaneous bleeding or bruising
- painful skin rash with blisters
- bleeding in the brain (altered level of consciousness, persistent headache, numbness, tingling, weakness and paralysis)
- bleeding in the stomach or intestine
- low heart beat, chest pain, dizziness, vertigo, fainting
HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS
Headache:
Rest and drink plenty of fluids. Apply a wet or cold cloth to forehead and rest in a quiet, comfortable, dark room.
Dizziness:
Get up and move around to feel awake and eat a healthy food to boost your energy.
WARNING & PRECAUTIONS
PREGNANCY
JAKAVI 15MG is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
BREASTFEEDING
JAKAVI 15MG is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
DRIVING AND USING MACHINES
Do not drive or handle any tools while taking this medicine since it may cause dizziness.
KIDNEY
JAKAVI 15MG should be used with caution in patients suffering from active kidney diseases. Consult your doctor for advice.
LIVER
JAKAVI 15MG should be used with caution in patients suffering from liver function impairment, active liver diseases or viral hepatitis B. Consult your doctor for advice.
ALLERGY
Tell your doctor if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to Ruxolitinib.
HEART DISEASE
JAKAVI 15MG should be used with caution in patients suffering from active heart diseases or low heart rate. Consult your doctor for advice.
OTHERS
Tell your doctor before taking this medicine if you have or had:
- active infection
- progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
- any type of infections
- tuberculosis
- skin cancer
- intolerance to lactose (milk sugar)
INTERACTIONS
Tell your doctor if you are taking,
- clarithromycin, telithromycin (treats bacterial infections)
- fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole and voriconazole (treats fungal infections)
- atazanavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir (treats viral infections)
- antiarrhythmics, digitalis glycosides, avasimibe (treats heart problems)
- antihypertensives (treats blood pressure)
- cimetidine (treats heartburn)
- nefazodone (treats depression)
- phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital (treats epilepsy)
- rifabutin, rifampicin (treat tuberculosis)
- St. John’s wort (herbal medicine treats depression)
SYNOPSIS
| Drug | : | Ruxolitinib |
| Pharmacological Category | : | Antineoplastic Agent, Tyrosine kinase inhibitor |
| Therapeutic Indication | : | Myelofibrosis, Polycythemia vera |
| Dosage Forms | : | Tablet |
MORE INFORMATION
Store below 20-25°C and keep out of reach of children.
FAQs ABOUT JAKAVI 15MG
Does JAKAVI 15MG cause fatigue?
It may cause fatigue due to anemia (low red blood cell counts). If this persists for a long time, consult your doctor for advice.
How long does it take for JAKAVI 15MG to work?
It usually takes 6 months to see if the medicine is working for you. Consult your doctor for advice.
Does JAKAVI 15MG safe while driving?
Do not drive or handle any machines since it may cause dizziness.
REFERENCES
1. Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. Page - 1240.
2. Claire Harrison and Alessandro M. Vannucchi. Ruxolitinib: a potent and selective Janus kinase 1 and 2 inhibitor in patients with myelofibrosis. An update for clinicians. Dec, 2012. [Accessed on June 12, 2021] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3627327/s
3. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. June 15, 2012. [Revised on Nov 26, 2020] [Accessed on June 12, 2021] PrJAKAVI® - Novartishttps://www.novartis.ca › files › jakavi_scrip_e
4. Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised on Dec, 2020] [Accessed on June 12, 2021] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.7786.pdf
PRODUCT DETAILS
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