Ruxolitinib
About Ruxolitinib
Ruxolitinib is a prescription medicine used to treat specific bone marrow disorders and immune system complications. It is primarily prescribed for myelofibrosis, polycythaemia vera when other treatments have failed, and certain types of graft-versus-host disease. This medicine targets specific proteins in the body to help control the abnormal production of blood cells and calm severe inflammation.
To get the best results, you must take Ruxolitinib consistently every day, typically twice a day as directed by your healthcare provider. You can take this medicine with or without food, which makes it easy to fit into your daily routine. Adopting simple lifestyle changes, such as eating a balanced diet, staying well-hydrated, and taking steps to avoid exposure to germs, can further support your health while on this treatment.
While taking Ruxolitinib, you may experience common side effects like bruising, dizziness, headaches, or low blood cell counts. However, it is vital to contact your doctor immediately if you develop any signs of serious complications. These include severe or unusual bleeding, persistent fevers, or a painful, blistering skin rash.
Before you begin this treatment, tell your doctor if you have a history of tuberculosis, hepatitis B, liver damage, or kidney disease. Do not take this if you are allergic to any of its ingredients or have a severe, active infection. Your healthcare team will evaluate your medical history to ensure this medication is safe for you.
This medicine can interact with certain substances, such as grapefruit juice, and other prescription medications that alter how your liver breaks down drugs. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before starting this medicine, as it can cause harm to a developing baby. Elderly individuals should also talk to their healthcare provider to see if any special monitoring is necessary.
Uses of Ruxolitinib
Medicinal Benefits
Ruxolitinib helps treat certain bone marrow and immune-related disorders by targeting abnormal signalling that drives disease activity. By reducing disease burden and controlling inflammation, it can improve both physical symptoms and overall quality of life.
- Helps Reduce Enlarged Spleen: In conditions such as myelofibrosis and polycythaemia vera, Ruxolitinib can help shrink an enlarged spleen, relieving abdominal pressure, pain, early fullness after meals, and discomfort during movement.
- Relieves Systemic Symptoms: By controlling disease activity, Ruxolitinib may help reduce symptoms such as fatigue, night sweats, itching, bone pain, and other symptoms that commonly interfere with daily life.
- Supports Immune Control After Transplant: In appropriate transplant settings, Ruxolitinib helps calm excessive immune activity, reducing the risk of immune-related tissue damage and supporting a more stable recovery.
Directions for Use
- Take Ruxolitinib with or without food or as advised by a doctor.
- Recommended to take twice daily or as advised by your doctor.
- Swallow the medicine as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Storage
Side Effects of Ruxolitinib
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Bruising or bleeding more easily than usual
- Dizziness, tiredness, or mild headaches
- High cholesterol or triglyceride levels in the blood
- Mild shortness of breath
- Weight gain
Serious Side Effects (Consult a doctor right away):
- Signs of a severe infection, such as fever, chills, persistent sore throat, or painful skin blisters (shingles)
- Unusual or uncontrolled bleeding, including blood in your urine, black stools, or coughing up blood
Sudden swelling, warmth, or pain in a leg, chest pain, or sudden shortness of breath (possible signs of a blood clot) - Signs of an allergic reaction, including swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, severe hives, and difficulty breathing
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Do not stop taking Ruxolitinib abruptly, as your spleen may enlarge rapidly and your symptoms could return with severe intensity.
- Always tell any healthcare professional treating you, including dentists and surgeons, that you are taking this medicine.
- Monitor your body for any new, changing, or unusual skin marks, moles, or growths, and report them to your doctor right away.
- Check your skin regularly for any painful rashes, tingling, or blisters on one side of your body, which could indicate a shingles infection.
- Ensure your doctor knows if you have ever had tuberculosis or hepatitis B, as this medicine can cause these dormant infections to become active again.
Drug Interactions
- Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors: Medicines such as ketoconazole, clarithromycin, and ritonavir can slow down how your body breaks down Ruxolitinib, leading to higher levels in your blood and increasing the risk of severe side effects.
- Strong CYP3A4 inducers: Medicines like rifampin, phenytoin, and carbamazepine can make your body break down Ruxolitinib too quickly, reducing its effectiveness.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
consult your doctorIt is not known if alcohol interacts with Ruxolitinib. Please consult the doctor.
Pregnancy
unsafeRuxolitinib belongs to pregnancy category C. Do not take Ruxolitinib if you are pregnant. Consult the doctor if you are pregnant, planning for pregnancy or if you think you are pregnant.
Breast Feeding
unsafeIt is not known if Ruxolitinib passes into breast milk. Avoid breastfeeding while on treatment with Ruxolitinib and for 2 weeks after the last dose.
Driving
cautionIf you experience dizziness after taking Ruxolitinib, avoid driving or operating heavy machinery.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with hepatic impairment. If you have a history of liver problems, inform the doctor before taking Ruxolitinib.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with moderate or severe renal impairment. It may not be recommended for patients with end-stage renal disease not requiring dialysis. If you have a history of kidney problems, inform the doctor before taking Ruxolitinib.
Children
unsafeRuxolitinib is not intended for use by children below 18 years for the treatment of myelofibrosis or polycythaemia vera. For graft-versus-host disease, this medicine is not recommended for children below 12 years as the safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid grapefruit, grapefruit juice, and Seville oranges while taking this medicine, as they can raise the levels of the drug in your body to unsafe levels.
- Wash your hands frequently and stay away from crowds or individuals who are sick, as this medicine can lower your immune system and make you more prone to catching infections.
- Protect your skin from sun exposure by wearing long sleeves, a wide-brimmed hat and applying a high SPF broad-spectrum sunscreen daily, as this treatment can increase your risk of certain skin cancers.
- Keep all your scheduled medical appointments and blood tests so your healthcare team can monitor your blood counts and general health closely.
Special Advise
Your doctor may advise regular blood tests prior to the start of the treatment and during treatment.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Myelofibrosis: Myelofibrosis is a disorder of the bone marrow in which the marrow is replaced by scar tissue. The abnormal marrow can no longer produce enough normal blood cells, and as a result, the spleen becomes significantly enlarged. Enlargement of the spleen is one of the characteristics of myelofibrosis. Symptoms include abdominal fullness, bone pain, fatigue, easy bleeding/bruising, pale skin, and weight loss.
Polycythaemia vera (PV): Polycythaemia vera is a disorder of the bone marrow in which the marrow produces too many red blood cells. The blood becomes thicker as a result of the increased red blood cells. Symptoms of PV are headache, confusion, dizziness, itching, night sweats, and extreme tiredness.
Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD): Graft-versus-host disease is a complication that occurs after transplantation when specific cells (T cells) in the donor’s graft (e.g. bone marrow) do not recognise the host cells/organs and attack them. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, mouth ulcers, and rash.
FAQs
Ruxolitinib is used to treat Myelofibrosis, polycythaemia vera (PV), and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).
Ruxolitinib helps treat myelofibrosis and polycythaemia vera by blocking the signals that cause cancer cells to multiply. It helps treat graft-versus-host disease by blocking the signals of the cells that cause GVHD.
Ruxolitinib may decrease your ability to fight infections and increase the risk of serious infection. Consult the doctor if you develop signs of infection such as fever, chills, sweats, sore throat, cough, sore, or frequent/urgent/painful urination.
Do not start a new medicine, including prescription medicines, non-prescription medicines and herbal or supplement medicines, whilst on treatment with Ruxolitinib without consulting your doctor.
Ruxolitinib may increase the risk of developing tuberculosis (TB), particularly if you are already infected with TB but do not have any symptoms. Inform the doctor if you have had TB or if you experience symptoms of TB like cough, cough with blood or mucus, weight loss, weakness or tiredness, loss of appetite, chills, fever, or night sweats.
It is best to avoid or limit alcohol while on this medicine, especially if you have a history of liver damage. Alcohol can strain your liver, which is responsible for processing this medication. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about what is safe for you.
No, this medicine is not a cure. It is designed to manage and control the symptoms, shrink an enlarged spleen, and improve your daily quality of life. Talk to your doctor to understand your overall treatment plan.
You should avoid 'live' vaccines (such as those for yellow fever, shingles, or certain measles vaccines) while taking this medicine. Because your immune system may be weakened, live vaccines could cause a serious infection. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before scheduling any vaccinations.
A fever can be an early sign of a serious infection, and because this medicine lowers your body's defence system, you should treat this seriously. Contact your doctor or seek medical care immediately. Talk to your doctor about other warning signs of infection to watch for.
No, this medicine is not recommended during pregnancy because it can harm an unborn baby. You should also avoid breastfeeding while taking this medicine and for a period after your last dose. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to discuss safe alternative treatments and reliable birth control options.
Mild hair thinning or hair loss is a less common side effect, but it has been reported by some patients. If you notice significant hair changes that worry you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist for reassurance and guidance.
This medicine can reduce the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in your blood. Regular blood tests allow your healthcare provider to monitor these levels and adjust your dose safely if your counts drop too low. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about your test results.
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