Jakafi for Polycythemia Vera User Reviews

• Che...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 18, 2019

"A lot of people have experienced weight gain on Jakafi, and I have too. For me, I only lost weight on this medication by eating low carb with some form of moderate exercise when able. I also found I slept better and generally felt better on a low carb diet while taking Jakafi. Hope this helps someone else struggling with weight gain after starting this."

• phy...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 19, 2015

"This is the third Rx I've had over 10 years to treat polycythemia rubra vera. Started for drug trial for 87 weeks. Now on an Rx. I've had 0 phlebotomy since on Jakafi. Itching is nearly nonexistent. I can sleep well. Mood has improved. Generally, Jakafi has given me my life back!"

• ann...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 9, 2021

"I have been on Jakafi for 10 months for Polycythemia Vera. It has reduced my itching, bone and joint pain, fatigue, and my counts are actually normal for the first time in decades! I have gained about 5 lbs on it, but no other significant side effects. I am taking a very low amount (5 mg 2x day), and maybe that's why I haven't gained a lot of weight. This medication has literally given me my life back."

• lyn...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 10, 2023

"I have polycythemia vera and myelofibrosis. Ten years ago, I had 2 weeks left to live. I was put on 15 mg of Jakafi twice a day. No more phlebotomy. All my crazy blood results moved steadily to normal. I have never had any problem until recently. I've had ten years of a high-quality existence with this pill. Not one single side effect. And my 28-pound spleen disappeared. I was wasted when I started this drug (from years of blood removal). Grew back my bones, hair, weight, energy, stamina, and appetite. After 10 years of health, I am having episodes of what feels like a UTI. I am eliminating any other bladder irritants, taking it earlier (6 am-6 pm) to be eliminated more before bedtime, and drinking appropriate amounts of water- even on shopping days, beach days, etc."

• Rob...
• August 23, 2017

"Been taking Jakafi for 9 months... 10 mg 2x daily. Just now, counts slightly increasing, so my doctor is adding another 5 mg daily to my dose. This med has improved my life significantly... my over-functioning has improved 100%, but still with some issues. It's scary to change medications. I hope my comment will give others courage and hope... if their doctor thinks it's worth giving it a try."

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 8, 2018

"I started on a higher dose, and my counts came down and itching stopped, but I had weight gain! Yuck! Migraines, loud constant ringing in ears, joint aches and swelling, dizziness. Then, I tried a lower dose, 5 mg 2 x day, and side effects lessened greatly, but my counts increased. I’m off of it and on Hydrea, and trying to lose the weight now (10 lbs). To add, the price of Jakafi, ruxolitinib, is RIDICULOUS."

• Kau...
• November 24, 2017

"I am 74 years old and have polycythemia vera (PV) since I was 62. Was on Hydrea and phlebotomy every 3 months. Was seriously very depressed and low energy. On Jakafi since May 2016, and no more phlebotomy. Now taking Jakafi 25 mg twice a day. My life is back and feels like not having PV. The medication is expensive at 25 mg because I need 20 + 5 mg. The cost is doubled because they don't make 25 mg pills."

• Cra...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 22, 2018

"Took Jakafi for approximately 10 months. My itching was completely cleared up. During this entire time, my bowel movements were intense. I had cramping in my stomach most mornings. Initially, my dosage had to be adjusted because all of my blood levels were very low. I had developed cytopenia. Was taken off the med for 6 weeks and resumed. The last straw for me was the aching I experienced in all of my joints. The medication states a side effect can be arthralgia. Well, I got it. Had to get cortisone injections in both thumb joints, both knees, right hip, and shoulder. I refuse to go back on this medication. Wish anyone able to take this med good luck."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 28, 2022

"I am 57 yrs. I have had PV for well over 20 years. I have had phlebotomies and then Hydrea and now have been on Jakafi for a year and a half. My overall experience with Jakafi is that it gave me my energy and life back. My joint pain disappeared immediately, and my energy level was amazing! I was on 5 mg 1x a day to start and then went up to 5 mg 2x a day, which I am on now. I have gained about 10 lbs, even on this low dose. Then about 6 months ago, I got shingles, I believe, from the Shingrix vaccine I had just gotten, and since then, I have not felt well. I get sick a lot, and in the past 6 months, my joint and bone pain is so much worse, almost like pre-Jakafi. The meds are working well for all blood counts right now, so I am on the fence about stopping the med."

• aut...
• January 15, 2017

"I have been on Jakafi now for 7 months. I have had major weight gain (25 lbs) and migraine headaches every day. Before I started, my counts were over a million, and they are only down to 800,000. So for me, this isn't working. The side effects and losing days to headaches are not worth taking it."

• Peg...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 6, 2018

"I have been taking this medication, Jakafi, for 10 months. Once the correct dosage was figured out, I have experienced no itching, and there has been no need for phlebotomy treatments. The downside to taking this medication is that for days at a time I have trouble with my bowel movements and pain and cramping in my stomach. This happens when I eat healthy, broccoli, kale, multi-grain bread. Also when I eat fried foods."

• MAB...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 22, 2023

"I've been enjoying not feeling awful all the time. With Jakafi, I have had no problems with skin blisters when I am in sunlight, as I did with the previous medication. It is hard to say which med gives me vertigo issues the most. I suppose the dizziness is mild with Jakafi. In general, I have more energy and less stress over shortness of breath - until recently, again. I don't know if the current fatigue I have suddenly again is due to the medication dose or if I am experiencing another drug side effect or my body is simply old and wearing out. I know that Jakafi has given me my life back again. But currently, my body is not in balance - I'm not sure why: chest pain, increased heart rate, higher BP, shortness of breath, fluid retention, weight gain, fluid gain, headache, and low kidney function. My cholesterol went up - and I'm not sure why. I am currently being worked up again for a cardiac issue. For a year, however, I felt so much better than I did without Jakafi."

• Van...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 12, 2019

"I just don't understand. I've been on this med about 2 yrs, and my Dr just increased my dose to 20 mg b.i.d. My platelet count is still through the roof! I changed my diet and am swallowing these pills just as directed! All I get is bad reports and disappointing, agitated comments from my Dr! I give up!"

• emm...
• October 18, 2017

"I was diagnosed with polycythemia vera in 2007. Itching, terrible itching, has been my main complaint, and hydroxyurea didn't help. I was taking Atarax four+ times a day, plus getting light therapy 2-3 times a week. With Jakafi, I take Atarax 1-4 times a day, and don't need light therapy. However, when it's really warm or allergens are in the air, I take Emend off-label. Side effects of Jakafi: more susceptible to infection, possibly anemia, possibly higher erythropoietin levels."

• Jo ...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 10, 2023

"I have been taking Jakafi for 8 months for JAK-2 negative polycythemia vera, which I've had since 2009. Before this drug, I was on phlebotomy-only treatment, which left my iron levels nearly non-existent. I felt tired all the time, I felt depleted all the time. Since starting this medication, my blood counts have become normal, I am able to take iron and so have come to feel very near normal energy and sense of wellness again. My only negative side effect is a 5-pound gain. We are still figuring out the proper dose, I began with 5 mgs twice a day, but my phlebotomies increased from every 3 or 4 months to every 1 to 3 weeks. I am now on 10 mgs twice a day, and my phlebotomies are stretching out to every 3 to 8 weeks. I am hoping the phlebotomy need will subside. After 10+ years of feeling ill, the cost and weight gain are worth my feeling of health."

• Kar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 13, 2020

"It's either have to get a phlebotomy every month and become anemic or take Jakafi and be fat!"

• Jus...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 26, 2023

"It has worked very well for me. However, I have gained quite a bit of weight since taking it."

• Lau...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 22, 2022

"Gained weight, especially in the waist. And dieting does not help."

• Kel...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 27, 2019

"It works, feel fine!"

• Jan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 21, 2023

"I have benefited from Jakafi, maintaining my platelet count. I have experienced a UTI and am not sure Jakafi caused it. I also experience gas and diarrhea."