• Myelofibrosis (intermediate or high-risk):
    • Baseline Pt >200,000: Initially PO 20mg BD *4/52, then may increase dose by 10mg/day no more frequently than every 2 weeks to a max 25mg BD
    • Baseline Pt 100,000-200,000: Initially PO 15mg BD *4/52, then may increase dose by 10mg/day no more frequently than every 2 weeks to a max 25mg BD
    • Baseline Pt 50,000-99,000: PO 5mg BD *4/52, then may increase dose by 5mg/day no more frequently than every 2 weeks to a max 10mg BD
  • Polycythemia vera:
    • Initially PO 10mg BD *4/52, then may increase dose by 10mg/day no more frequently than every 2 weeks to a max 25mg BD
    • For hydroxyurea-refractory or intolerant disease
  • Acute graft versus host disease (GVHD) for steroid-refractory disease:
    • Adults and ≥12 years: PO 5mg BD for at least 3 days, then may increase dose to 10mg BD
  • Chronic graft versus host disease (GVHD):
    • Adults and ≥12 years: PO 10mg BD
  • Tablet:
    • 5mg
    • 10mg
    • 15mg
    • 20mg
    • 25mg
  • Taken without regard to food
  • Can also be given via an NG tube

Kinase inhibitor

It inhibits janus-associated kinases (JAK) 1 and 2, leading to disruption of cytokine and growth factor signaling pathways

  • Infection
  • Dizziness
  • Dyspnea
  • Hemorrhage
  • Edema
  • Diarrhea
  • Fatigue
  • Hypertension
  • Headache
  • Ecchymosis
  • Musculoskeletal pain
  • Nausea
  • Fever
  • Cough
  • UTI
  • Thrombosis
  • Weight gain
  • Rash
  • Muscle spasms
  • Anemia
  • Thrombocytopenia
  • Hypercholesterolemia
  • Elevated ALT/AST
  • Neutropenia
  • Hypersensitivity to components
  • CrCl <15 (patients not on hemodialysis)
  • Hepatic impairment with platelets <50,000
  • Active infection
  • Breastfeeding during treatment and for 2 weeks after discontinuation
  • Abrupt withdrawal
  • Live vaccines

                          Drug Status

Availability Prescription only
Pregnancy Category C
Breastfeeding Contraindicated
Schedule Not controlled
BRAND NAME STRENGTH FORMULATION PACK SIZE MANUFACTURER DISTRIBUTOR
Jakavi 5mg Tablet 14’s Novartis Kenya Novartis Kenya
Jakavi 15mg Tablet 14’s Novartis Kenya Novartis Kenya
Jakavi 20mg Tablet 14’s Novartis Kenya Novartis Kenya