Jakavi 20mg tablet contains the active constituent ruxolitinib. It is an anticancer agent that belongs to the class of kinase inhibitors. It is used to treat myelofibrosis (a rare type of bone marrow cancer that causes decreased blood cell production). It is also used to treat polycythemia vera (a type of blood cancer where the body produces too many red blood cells) in people who are resistant or cannot be treated successful hydroxyurea. The medicine is also indicated to treat acute graft versus host disease (a complication of transplant procedure that replaced diseased bone marrow with healthy bone marrow) previously treated unsuccessfully with steroid medications in adults and children 12 years of age. It is also used for treating chronic graft versus host disease in adults and children 12 years of age and older who were treated unsuccessfully with 1 or 2 other systemic treatments.
Jakavi 20mg tablet works by blocking the signals that cause cancer cells to multiply. Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to ruxolitinib or any other ingredients in this medicine. Inform your physician priorly if you have or had tuberculosis, hepatitis B or C, liver disease, and kidney problems. The most common adverse effects are dizziness, reduced blood counts, bruising, bleeding, headache, and facial and body swelling. Notify your physician if you are on dialysis.
Uses of Jakavi 20mg Tablet
Therapeutic Effects of Jakavi 20mg Tablet
Jakavi 20mg tablet, a kinase inhibitor, inhibits dysregulated Janus Associated Kinase (JAK) 1 and JAK2 signaling associated with myelofibrosis and polycythemia vera. By blocking certain enzymes, this medicine can reduce the serious risk of blood or vascular complication in myelofibrosis and polycythemia vera. In GvHD, it reduces the signs and symptoms, improving the disease and survival of transplanted cells.
Interaction of Jakavi 20mg Tablet with other drugs
Inform your healthcare provider about all your medicines, including prescription, over-the-counter, nutritional, and supplements and herbal products. Certain medications like fluconazole and other CYP3A4 inhibitors may interact with Jakavi 20mg tablet and reduce its effectiveness by causing undesirable side effects.
More Information about Jakavi 20mg Tablet
How to consume Jakavi 20mg Tablet
Your doctor will decide the dose and duration of Jakavi 20mg tablet based on the disease condition and other factors. Always take this medicine as prescribed by your doctor. Take the tablet at the same time, with or without food. Do not break, chew, crush, or break the tablet. Swallow the whole tablet with water.
Safety Advices for Jakavi 20mg Tablet
Pregnancy
Do not take Jakavi 20mg tablet if you are pregnant because this may harm the unborn baby. Inform your physician if you are pregnant, suspecting pregnancy, or planning to get pregnant during the treatment.
Breast Feeding
Breastfeeding is not recommended in patients taking Jakavi 20mg tablet because the medicine passes into the breast milk in small amounts and may harm your baby. Do not breastfeed during the treatment and for 2 weeks after the last dose.
Lungs
It is unknown whether Jakavi 20mg tablet can be used in patients with lung disorders. Consult your doctor if you have any lung diseases before starting the treatment.
Liver
Jakavi 20mg tablet should be administered cautiously in patients with liver problems. Dose adjustments are necessary for patients with liver diseases. Inform your physician if you have any liver disorder before the treatment.
Alcohol
It is unknown whether consuming alcohol is safe when taking Jakavi 20mg tablet. Inform your physician if you are an alcoholic before starting the treatment.
Driving
Do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel dizzy after taking Jakavi 20mg tablet. Consult your doctor for more advice.
Side Effects of Jakavi 20mg Tablet
Side effects are unwanted symptoms caused by medicines. Even though all drugs cause side effects, not everyone gets them.
Common
- Low red and white blood cell counts
- Low platelet counts
- Dizziness, headache
- Bruising
- Diarrhea
- Infections including viral infection
- Swelling in the face and body
- Fatigue or tiredness
Serious
- Severe infections like hepatitis B
- Anemia
- Bleeding
Word of Advice
You should continue taking this tablet until your doctor says since, it is a long-term treatment. Do not stop taking Jakavi 20mg tablet or reduce its dose without consulting a physician. Inform your physician if you get any infection or symptoms of bleeding during the treatment. This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often. Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Inform your doctor if you are a smoker or a past smoker.
FAQs
Q 1. Can a patient with kidney problems take Jakavi 20mg tablet?
Jakavi 20mg tablet should be cautiously taken if you have any kidney problems. Dose adjustments are necessary for patients with kidney diseases. Inform your doctor if you are on dialysis and have any kidney disorders.
Q 2. I have tuberculosis, and can I take Jakavi 20mg tablet?
Inform your physician if you have active tuberculosis or a past medical history of tuberculosis before starting the treatment with Jakavi 20mg tablet.
Q 3. What foods should I have to avoid while taking Jakavi 20mg tablet?
Grapefruit or grapefruit juice should be avoided while taking Jakavi 20mg tablet. Unless your doctor suggests special diets, you can follow the normal diet.
Q 4. Does Jakavi 20mg tablet weaken the immune system?
The medicine can suppress your immune system and increase your chances of getting infections. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury.
Q 5. What if I overdose or take two doses of Jakavi 20mg tablet?
If you overdosed or took two doses of Jakavi 20mg tablet unknowingly, immediately inform your healthcare professional and seek medical advice.
Fact Box of Jakavi 20mg Tablet
Molecule name: Ruxolitinib | Therapeutic class: Antineoplastics |
Pharmacological class: Kinase inhibitors | Indications: 1. Myelofibrosis 2. Polycythemia vera 3. Acute-graft-versus host disease 4. Chronic-graft-versus host disease |