Jakafi

May 23, 2013

Jakafi® (ruxolitinib) Is FDA-Approved for Patients with Intermediate or High-Risk Myelofibrosis

Please see important safety information below.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted marketing approval for Jakafi® (ruxolitinib) for the treatment of patients with intermediate or high-risk myelofibrosis (MF), including primary MF, post-polycythemia vera MF and post-essential thrombocythemia MF. Jakafi is the first and only product to be approved by the FDA for MF, and the first in a new class of drugs, known as JAK inhibitors, to be approved for any indication.

Click here to see the press release.

For full Prescribing Information for Jakafi and more information, go to  www.jakafi.com.

For information about access to ruxolitinib outside of the US, you can send an email to inc424.cu@novartis.com.

Important Safety Information

  • Treatment with Jakafi can cause hematologic adverse reactions, including thrombocytopenia, anemia and neutropenia, which are each dose-related effects, with the most frequent being thrombocytopenia and anemia. A complete blood count must be performed before initiating therapy with Jakafi. Complete blood counts should be monitored as clinically indicated and dosing adjusted as required. The three most frequent non-hematologic adverse reactions were bruising, dizziness and headache
  • Patients with platelet counts <200 × 109/L at the start of therapy are more likely to develop thrombocytopenia during treatment. Thrombocytopenia was generally reversible and was usually managed by reducing the dose or temporarily withholding Jakafi. If clinically indicated, platelet transfusions may be administered
  • Patients developing anemia may require blood transfusions. Dose modifications of Jakafi for patients developing anemia may also be considered
  • Neutropenia (ANC <0.5 × 109/L) was generally reversible and was managed by temporarily withholding Jakafi
  • Patients should be assessed for the risk of developing serious bacterial, mycobacterial, fungal and viral infections. Active serious infections should have resolved before starting Jakafi. Physicians should carefully observe patients receiving Jakafi for signs and symptoms of infection (including herpes zoster) and initiate appropriate treatment promptly
  • A dose modification is recommended when administering Jakafi with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors or in patients with renal or hepatic impairment [see Dosage and Administration]. Patients should be closely monitored and the dose titrated based on safety and efficacy
  • There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of Jakafi in pregnant women. Use of Jakafi during pregnancy is not recommended and should only be used if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus
  • Women taking Jakafi should not breast-feed. Discontinue nursing or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother

For Full Prescribing Information for Jakafi, visit www.Jakafi.com.