Starting Jakafi (ruxolitinib)Your first 90 days with polycythemia vera: the steps, the dates and who to call

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Fill in with your doctor's office

First dose date

Doctor who prescribed it

Doctor's office phone

Specialty pharmacy name

Specialty pharmacy phone

Get emergency help right away for:

Chest discomfort that lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back; severe tightness, pain, pressure or heaviness in your chest, throat, neck or jaw; pain or discomfort in your arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach; shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort; a cold sweat; nausea or vomiting; feeling lightheaded; weakness in one part or on one side of your body; slurred speech.

Also tell your doctor's office about:

Any bleeding, for which the Patient Information says to stop Jakafi and call your healthcare provider
Unusual bleeding, bruising, tiredness, shortness of breath or fever, right away
Swelling, pain or tenderness in one or both legs, sudden unexplained chest or upper back pain, or difficulty breathing, right away
Chills, aches, fever, nausea, vomiting, weakness, or a painful skin rash or blisters
After stopping Jakafi, fever, trouble breathing, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, weakness, night sweats, or pain in the left upper stomach area or left shoulder, right away
Any new or changing skin lesions
Too much Jakafi taken, by calling your healthcare provider or going to the nearest emergency room right away
Any new medicine, vitamin or herbal supplement

IncyteCARES for Jakafi or Jakafi XR1-855-452-5234

Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern

The drugmaker's support program, for questions about getting the medicine and paying for it. Answer calls from the specialty pharmacy; a missed call can delay your delivery.

Scan for your full plan, with every date added to your phone calendartrialfriend.com/p/jakafi

How you take it

Jakafi tablets 2 times a day, or Jakafi XR tablets 1 time a day, with or without food. Jakafi XR tablets are swallowed whole, never split, chewed or crushed.

Before your first dose

A blood count, because Jakafi can lower your platelets, red blood cells and white blood cells.
Questions from your blood doctor about past infections, such as tuberculosis (TB), shingles and hepatitis B.
A full list of your medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Some medicines, such as fluconazole, can change your Jakafi dose.
Your insurance approves the medicine. IncyteCARES, the drugmaker's support program, checks your coverage and may help with costs at 1-855-452-5234.
A specialty pharmacy ships the bottle to your home or your doctor's office. It cannot go to your local pharmacy.

The first 90 days

Weeks beforeSign up with IncyteCARES, insurance check
Before day 1Blood count and questions about past infections
Week beforePrior authorization
Days beforeThe first bottle ships
Day 1First dose
Weeks 2 to 4Blood count, then every 2 to 4 weeks until your dose is steady
After week 4Your dose may go up from now on
About day 30A new bottle is due about now
Weeks 8 to 12Cholesterol blood test, 8 to 12 weeks after starting
About 3 monthsStill early by the study's measure

Trial Friend, trialfriend.com. From the Jakafi FDA label dated July 20, 2026 and the drugmaker's program, checked November 12, 2026. Not medical advice: Trial Friend is not a medical provider, and your doctor decides your dose and tests.