ruxolitinib phosphate at a glance
Medicine class
JAK1 and JAK2 inhibitor
Main uses
Myelofibrosis, polycythaemia vera and corticosteroid-refractory graft-versus-host disease
Taking it
Swallow by mouth with or without food, following the specialist’s instructions
Monitoring
Regular blood counts and checks for infection are important
What is ruxolitinib phosphate used for?
Selected UK oral products are licensed for:
Disease-related enlarged spleen or symptoms in adults with primary myelofibrosis, post-polycythaemia-vera myelofibrosis or post-essential-thrombocythaemia myelofibrosis.
Polycythaemia vera in adults who are resistant to or cannot tolerate hydroxyurea.
Acute or chronic graft-versus-host disease in people aged 2 years and over whose response to corticosteroids is inadequate. The selected oral solution is licensed specifically for this indication.
How does ruxolitinib phosphate work?
JAK1 and JAK2 transmit signals from cytokines and growth factors involved in blood-cell production and immune activity. Ruxolitinib inhibits these enzymes, reducing abnormal JAK-STAT signalling in myeloproliferative disease and immune-cell activation involved in graft-versus-host disease.
ruxolitinib phosphate preparations and strengths
Oral solution
Route: Oral
Strengths: 5 mg/mL
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg
How to take ruxolitinib phosphate
Take exactly as directed by the specialist team. Do not change or stop treatment without discussing it with them.
It may be taken with or without food.
Swallow tablets whole.
Measure oral solution with the supplied reusable oral syringe and drink water afterwards.
The oral solution may be given through a suitable nasogastric or gastric tube by following the product instructions.
ruxolitinib phosphate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Anaemia, reduced platelets or reduced white blood cells
- Bruising or bleeding
- Dizziness or headache
- Raised cholesterol or triglycerides
- Abnormal liver blood tests
- High blood pressure
- Weight gain, nausea or constipation
- Urinary, respiratory and other infections
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe or opportunistic infection, including sepsis, tuberculosis, shingles or hepatitis B reactivation
- Major bleeding or symptoms caused by severely reduced blood cells
- New neurological, cognitive, psychiatric, speech, balance or vision changes
- Symptoms of deep-vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism
- New or changing skin lesions requiring assessment
ruxolitinib phosphate in pregnancy
Ruxolitinib is contraindicated during pregnancy because human evidence is lacking and animal studies showed embryo-fetal toxicity. Effective contraception is advised during treatment; anyone who becomes pregnant should contact the specialist team promptly for individual risk assessment and counselling.
ruxolitinib phosphate while breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is contraindicated during treatment. It is unknown whether ruxolitinib enters human milk, and a risk to the breastfed child cannot be excluded.
ruxolitinib phosphate interactions
Check all prescriptions, non-prescription products and herbal remedies with the specialist team before starting them.
Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors, including clarithromycin, itraconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole and ritonavir-containing treatments
They can substantially increase ruxolitinib exposure and the risk of blood-cell suppression, requiring specialist review and closer monitoring.
Fluconazole and other combined CYP2C9/CYP3A4 inhibitors
They can markedly increase ruxolitinib exposure; concurrent use requires specialist assessment.
Carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital, rifampicin, rifabutin and St John’s wort
These enzyme inducers may reduce ruxolitinib exposure and alter its effect.
Common questions about ruxolitinib phosphate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What conditions is ruxolitinib phosphate used to treat?
UK oral products are licensed for specified forms of myelofibrosis, hydroxyurea-resistant or intolerant polycythaemia vera, and acute or chronic graft-versus-host disease with an inadequate corticosteroid response.
Is ruxolitinib phosphate a chemotherapy treatment?
It is classified as an antineoplastic protein kinase inhibitor. It targets JAK1 and JAK2 rather than acting like conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy.
Can ruxolitinib phosphate be taken with food?
Yes. It may be taken with or without food.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.