Daily Medication Pearl: Ruxolitinib (Jakafi) for Myelofibrosis

Medication Pearl of the Day: Ruxolitinib (Jakafi)

Ruxolitinib is a kinase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of intermediate or high-risk myelofibrosis, polycythemia vera, steroid-refractory acute graft-versus-host disease, and chronic graft-versus-host disease.

Insight:

• Dosing:
  • Myelofibrosis:
    • The starting dose of ruxolitinib is based on patient’s baseline platelet count:
      • Greater than 200 × 109 /L: 20 mg given orally twice daily.
      • 100 × 109 /L to 200 × 109 /L: 15 mg given orally twice daily.
      • 50 × 109 /L to less than 100 × 109 /L: 5 mg given orally twice daily.
      • Polycythemia vera: The starting dose is 10 mg given orally twice daily.
      • Acute graft-versus-host disease: starting dose is 5 mg given orally twice daily.
      • Chronic graft-versus-host disease: starting dose is 10 mg given orally twice daily.
• Dosage form: Tablets: 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, and 25 mg.
• Adverse events: The most common nonhematologic adverse events are bruising, dizziness, headache, and diarrhea.
• Mechanism of Action: Ruxolitinib inhibits Janus associated kinases (JAKs) JAK1 and JAK2, which mediate the signaling of several cytokines and growth factors that are important for hematopoiesis and immune function.
• Manufacturer: Incyte

Sources:

prescribing-information.pdf (jakafi.com)

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