Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary
The
full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine,
speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
This medicine is new or being used differently. Please report side effects. See the
full CMI for further details.
1. Why am I using Jakavi?
Jakavi contains the active ingredient ruxolitinib (as phosphate). Jakavi is used to
treat adults with myelofibrosis, adults with polycythemia vera, and patients 12 years
and older
with graft-versus-host disease (GvHD).
For more information, see Section
1. Why am I using Jakavi? in the full CMI.
2. What should I know before I use Jakavi?
Do not take if you have ever had an allergic reaction to ruxolitinib or any of the
ingredients listed at the end of the CMI.
Before you start taking Jakavi, your doctor will do some blood tests.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines,
or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
For more information, see Section
2. What should I know before I use Jakavi? in the full CMI.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
4. How do I use Jakavi?
Take Jakavi twice a day. Your doctor will tell you how many tablets to take.
Jakavi tablets are to be taken by mouth, either with or without food. Swallow the
tablets whole with a glass of water.
5. What should I know while using Jakavi?
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Things you should do
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Keep all of your doctor's appointments so that your progress can be checked
Remind any doctor, dentist, anaesthetist or pharmacist you visit that you are using
Jakavi.
If you are going to have surgery, tell the surgeon or anaesthetist that you are taking
this medicine
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Things you should not do
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Do not stop taking your medicine or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor.
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Driving or using machines
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Do not drive or use machinery if you feel dizzy.
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Looking after your medicine
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Keep your medicine in the original packaging until it is time to take it.
Store it in a cool, dry place at room temperature, away from moisture and out of reach
of children.
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6. Are there any side effects?
The most common side effects include bruising, dizziness, headaches, constipation,
feeling tired, infections, fever, chills, sore throat, mouth ulcers, nausea, high
blood pressure and pale skin. The more serious side effects include urinary tract
and other serious infections, shingles, bruising more easily, blood disorders and
trouble breathing. These may require urgent medical attention.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that worries you or that
may be making you feel unwell. For more information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section
6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.
This medicine is subject to additional monitoring. This will allow quick identification
of new safety information. You can help by reporting any side effects you may get.
You can report side effects to your doctor, or directly at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems .
Active ingredient:
Ruxolitinib (RUX-soh-LI-ti-nib)
Full Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using Jakavi. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information
or if you have any concerns or questions about using Jakavi.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I using Jakavi?
Jakavi contains the active ingredient ruxolitinib. Jakavi belongs to a group of medicines called "JAK inhibitors".
Jakavi is used to treat:
Myelofibrosis in adult patients:
Myelofibrosis (MF) 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 results in variety of symptoms such as fever, night sweats, bone pain, weight
loss and a significantly enlarged spleen. Jakavi can reduce spleen size in patients
with different forms of MF and relieve the symptoms.
Polycythemia vera in adult patients who are intolerant of or not controlled with hydroxyurea:
Polycythemia vera (PV) 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 leading to a variety of symptoms such as itching (pruritus), headache,
vision problems, severe burning pain in the hands or feet, and blood vessels clots.
Enlarged spleen is also sometimes present. Jakavi can relieve the symptoms, reduce
spleen size and the volume of red blood cells produced in patients with PV.
Acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease in patients 12 years of age and older:
Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is a complication that occurs after transplantation
of blood or bone marrow from a healthy donor to a patient, for example when specific
cells (T cells) in the donor’s graft (e.g. bone marrow) don’t recognize the host cells/organs
and attack them.
There are two forms of GvHD: acute GvHD that usually develops soon after the transplantation
and can affect skin, liver and gastrointestinal tract, and chronic GvHD, which develops
later, around three months after the transplantation. Chronic GvHD frequently causes
symptoms in the skin, liver, mouth, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, neuromuscular system,
or genitourinary tract. Almost any organ can be affected by chronic GvHD.
Jakavi can reduce the symptoms of acute and chronic GvHD, leading to disease improvement
and survival of the transplanted cells.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed
for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.
2. What should I know before I use Jakavi?
Warnings
Do not take Jakavi if:
you are allergic to ruxolitinib, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this
leaflet.
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing
or difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the
body; rash, itching or hives on the skin.
Check with your doctor if you have:
allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes
an intolerance to lactose
an infection
problems with your kidney
problems with your liver
skin cancer or any secondary type of cancer
tuberculosis
viral hepatitis B
cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, being overweight,
are physically inactive
smoked in the past or currently smoke
diverticulitis, an inflammation of parts of the large intestine.
Check with your doctor for a blood test before starting Jakavi
It is important that you have a full blood count before starting and regularly during
treatment with this medicine. The results will help your doctor decide what dose is
best for you.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important
you understand these risks and how to monitor for them.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant. It may affect your developing baby
if you take it during pregnancy.
Do not breast-feed if you are taking this medicine.
It is not known if the active ingredient in Jakavi passes into breast milk. There
is a possibility that your baby may be affected.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breast-feeding.
Your doctor can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved.
Children
GvHD: this medicine can be used in patients 12 years and older.
MF and PV: Do not give this medicine to a child under the age of 18 years. There is not enough
information to recommend the use of this medicine for children under the age of 18
years.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any
medicines, vitamins or supplements that you can buy without a prescription from your
pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines and Jakavi may interfere with each other and affect how it works. These
include:
some medicines used to treat fungal infections, such as ketoconazole, itraconazole,
posaconazole and voriconazole
some medicines used to treat types of bacterial infections, such as antibiotics like
ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, erythromycin or telithromycin
some medicines used to treat viral infections medicines used to treat HIV/AIDS such
as atazanavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir
some medicines used to treat high blood pressure such as verapamil, nifedipine or
carvedilol.
You may need different amounts of your medicines, or you may need to take different
medicines. Your doctor and pharmacist have more information. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins
or supplements you are taking and if these affect Jakavi.
4. How do I use Jakavi?
How to take Jakavi
Swallow Jakavi tablets whole with a glass of water.
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully.
They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
If you do not understand the instructions on the label, ask your doctor or pharmacist
for help.
How much to take
Your doctor will tell you how many tablets to take each day.
Your doctor may adjust your dose depending on how you respond to treatment and results
from your blood, liver and kidney tests. Your doctor may also need to know if you
are taking any other medicines.
If you notice you are feeling unwell while taking Jakavi, your doctor might change
the amount of Jakavi you take or tell you to stop taking Jakavi for a while.
When to take Jakavi
Take Jakavi twice a day, every day, either with or without food.
If you receive dialysis, take one single dose of Jakavi after each dialysis session.
Your doctor will tell you how many tablets you need to take.
Take your medicine at about the same time each day. Taking it at the same time each
day will have the best effect. It will also help you remember when to take it.
If you forget to use Jakavi
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take the next
dose when you are meant to.
Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking it as you would
normally.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed.
This may increase the chance of you getting an unwanted side effect.
If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some
hints.
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next
dose when you are meant to.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
How long to take it
Continue taking Jakavi for as long as your doctor tells you to.
This is long-term treatment. Your doctor will regularly monitor your condition to
make sure that the treatment is having the desired effect. If you have questions about
how long to take Jakavi, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
If you use too much Jakavi
If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Jakavi, you may need
urgent medical attention.
You should immediately:
phone the Poisons Information Centre
(by calling
13 11 26), or
contact your doctor, or
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
5. What should I know while using Jakavi?
Things you should do
keep all of your doctor's appointments so that your progress can be checked. Before
and during your treatment with Jakavi, your doctor may do some blood tests and check
the condition of your liver and kidneys to make sure the medicine is working and to
prevent unwanted side effects. Your doctor may also regularly check the level of lipids
(fat) in your blood, and periodically check for changes to your skin.
If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, tell your doctor immediately.
If you are going to have surgery, tell the surgeon or anaesthetist that you are taking
this medicine. It may affect other medicines used during surgery.
Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using Jakavi.
Call your doctor straight away if you:
do not feel well while you are taking Jakavi even if you do not think it is connected
with the medicine.
become pregnant while you are taking this medicine.
develop signs of unusual bleeding, bruising more easily than normal, fatigue/tiredness,
shortness of breath, fever.
Things you should not do
Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if their condition seems similar to
yours.
Do not use it to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Avoid eating grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking Jakavi as it may interfere
with how the medicine works.
Do not stop taking your medicine or change the dose without checking with your doctor.
If you stop taking it suddenly, your condition may worsen or you may have unwanted
side effects. If possible, your doctor will gradually reduce the amount you take each
day before stopping the medicine completely.
Driving or using machines
Be careful driving, operating machinery or doing jobs that require you to be alert
until you know how Jakavi affects you.
Jakavi may cause dizziness in some people.
If you feel light-headed, dizzy or faint when getting out of bed or standing up, get
up slowly.
Standing up slowly, especially when you get up from bed or chairs, will help your
body get used to the change in position and blood pressure. If this problem continues
or gets worse, talk to your doctor.
Looking after your medicine
Keep your medicine in the original container until it is time to take it.
Store it in a cool, dry place at room temperature away from direct sunlight.
Do not store this medicine or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink
Do not leave it in the car or on window sills.
Follow the instructions in the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place
to store medicines.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
If your doctor tells you to stop taking this medicine or the expiry date has passed,
ask your pharmacist what to do with any medicine you have left over.
Disposal
If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of
them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
Do not be alarmed by the following lists of side effects. You may not experience any
of them. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you
feel unwell.
Less serious side effects
The above list includes the more common side effects of your medicine. Most of these
side effects are mild to moderate and will generally disappear after a few days to
a few weeks of treatment.
Serious side effects
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people and may only be found
when your doctor does tests from time to time to check your progress. These include:
low level of red blood cells (anaemia), low level of white blood cells (neutropenia),
low level of platelet (thrombocytopenia)
high level of cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) or fat in the blood (hypertriglyceridemia)
abnormal liver or kidney function test results
high blood pressure (hypertension)
Increased blood level of enzymes from muscle.
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following side effects.
These have been seen with other JAK inhibitors used to treat rheumatoid arthritis,
a condition that Jakavi is not used for:
Chest pain or pressure that may spread to your jaw, neck or left arm
Shortness of breath, a cold sweat
Painful swollen legs, redness or tenderness in the leg or arm
Stomach ache that won't go away, change in bowel habits.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can
report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at
www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of
this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop
taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
Jakavi is not addictive.
What Jakavi contains
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Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
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ruxolitinib (as phosphate)
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Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
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microcrystalline cellulose
magnesium stearate
colloidal anhydrous silica
sodium starch glycollate type A
hyprolose
povidone
lactose monohydrate.
microcrystalline cellulose
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Potential allergens
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Contains sugars, as lactose monohydrate.
It does not contain sucrose, gluten, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.
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Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What Jakavi looks like
Jakavi tablets are available in four different strengths and is supplied in packs
of 56 tablets.
5 mg: round curved and white to almost white tablets with "L5" on one side and "NVR"
on the other (AUST R 198934)
10mg: Round curved white to almost white tablets with "L10" on one side and "NVR"
on the other (AUST R 232702)
15 mg: ovaloid curved and white to almost white tablets with "L15" on one side and
"NVR" on the other (AUST R 198936)
20 mg: elongated curved white to almost white tablets with "L20" on one side and "NVR"
on the other (AUST R 198933).
Who distributes Jakavi
NOVARTIS Pharmaceuticals Australia Pty Limited
ABN 18 004 244 160
54 Waterloo Road
Macquarie Park NSW 2113
Telephone 1 800 671 203
® = Registered Trademark
This leaflet was prepared in July 2023.
(jak030723c.doc) based on PI (jak030723i.doc)