Ruxolitinib Topical

Using ruxolitinib topical may decrease your ability to fight infection and increase the risk that you will get a serious infection, including severe fungal, bacterial, or viral infections that spread through the body. These infections may need to be treated in a hospital and may cause death. Tell your doctor if you often get any type of infection or if you think you may have any type of infection now. This includes minor infections (such as open cuts or sores), infections that come and go (such as cold sores), and chronic infections that do not go away. Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had diabetes, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a lung disease, hepatitis B virus infection (HBV; an ongoing liver infection), hepatitis C virus infection (HCV; an ongoing liver infection), or herpes zoster (shingles; a rash that can occur in people who have had chickenpox in the past), or any other condition that affects your immune system. You should also tell your doctor if you live or have ever lived in areas such as the Ohio or Mississippi River valleys or the Southwest where severe fungal infections are more common. Ask your doctor if you are not sure if these infections are common in your area. Tell your doctor if you are taking medications that decrease the activity of the immune system. Make sure you have discussed any medications you are currently taking or plan to take with your doctor and pharmacist before starting ruxolitinib topical.

Your doctor will monitor you for signs of infection during and after your treatment. If you have any of the following symptoms before you begin your treatment or if you experience any of the following symptoms during or shortly after your treatment, call your doctor immediately: fever; sweating; chills; muscle aches; cough; coughing up bloody mucus; shortness of breath; weight loss; warm, red, or painful skin; sores on the skin; urination that is frequent, painful, or causes a burning feeling; diarrhea; stomach pain; or excessive tiredness.

You may be infected with tuberculosis (TB, a type of lung infection), but not have any symptoms of the disease. In this case, using topical ruxolitinib may increase the risk that your infection will become more serious and that you will develop symptoms. Your doctor will perform a skin test to see if you have an inactive TB infection. If necessary, your doctor will give you medicine to treat this infection before you begin using ruxolitinib. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had TB, if you have lived in a country where TB is common, or if you have been around someone who has TB. If you have any of the following symptoms of TB, or if you develop any of these symptoms during your treatment, call your doctor immediately: cough, weight loss, loss of muscle tone, or fever.

Ruxolitinib may increase the risk that you will develop a lymphoma (cancer that begins in the cells that fight infection) or other types of cancers such as skin cancer. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any type of cancer or if you are a current or past smoker. Your doctor will check your skin during your treatment with topical ruxolitinib for signs of skin cancer.

Ruxolitinib may increase the risk of serious and potentially fatal heart-related events such as heart attack or stroke. Tell your doctor if you are a current or past smoker, or have had a heart attack or other heart problems. If you experience any of the following side effects, call your doctor or get emergency medical treatment immediately: crushing chest pain or chest heaviness; shortness of breath; pain in arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach; sudden, severe headache; cold sweat; sudden, severe nausea or vomiting; speech problems; dizziness or faintness; or weakness or numbness of an arm or a leg.

Ruxolitinib may increase the risk of serious and possibly life-threatening blood clot in the lungs or legs. Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a blood clot in your legs or lungs. If you experience any of the following side effects, call your doctor or get emergency medical treatment immediately: crushing chest pain or chest heaviness; shortness of breath; cough; pain, warmth, redness, swelling, or leg tenderness; cold sensation in the arms, hands, or legs; or muscle pain.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain tests to check your body's response to ruxolitinib.

You will be given the Medication Guide when you begin treatment with topical ruxolitinib and each time you refill your prescription. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Talk to your doctor about the risk(s) of using ruxolitinib.

Talk to your doctor about the risks of using ruxolitinib topical.

Uses
How to Use
Precautions
Side Effects
Storage/Disposal
More Information

Why is this medicine prescribed?

Ruxolitinib topical is used to treat the symptoms of eczema (atopic dermatitis; a skin disease that causes the skin to be dry and itchy and to sometimes develop red, scaly rashes) and vitiligo (condition that causes skin to lose color). Ruxolitinib is in a class of medications called Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. It works by decreasing the activity of the immune system.

Are there other uses for this medicine?

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How should this medicine be used?

Ruxolitinib topical comes as a cream to apply to the skin. Apply twice a day to the affected area(s). Apply it at around the same times every day.

Use ruxolitinib topicalexactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Ruxolitinib topical is for use on the skin only. Be careful not to get ruxolitinib in your eyes, mouth, or genital area.

Apply a thin layer of ruxolitinib topical to all affected areas of your skin. Wash your hands with soap and water to remove any leftover ruxolitinib. Do not wash your hands if you are treating them with topical ruxolitinib. Do not put occlusive dressings (air and water tight dressing) over treated areas.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before using ruxolitinib topical,

tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to this medication, any part of this medication, or any other medications, foods or substances. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and what symptoms you had.
you should know that some medications should not be taken while using ruxolitinib topical. Other medications may cause dosing changes or extra monitoring when taken while using ruxolitinib topical. Make sure you have discussed any medications you are currently taking or plan to take before starting ruxolitinib topical with your doctor and pharmacist. Before starting, stopping, or changing any medications while using ruxolotinib topical, please get the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had high cholesterol or triglycerides (fatty substances in the blood), anemia, a low number of red or low white blood cells, diabetes, or heart problems.
you should know that in patients with diabetes, use of ruxolitinib topical may cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while using ruxolitinib topical, call your doctor.
tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You should not breastfeed during your treatment with ruxolitinib topical and for 4 weeks after your final dose.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What should I do if I forget to take a dose?

Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not apply extra ruxolitinib topical to make up for a missed one.

What should I do in case of overdose?

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help . If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

What side effects can this medicine cause?

Ruxolitinib topical may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

nose or throat pain
stuffy or runny nose
ear pain, discharge, and other signs of infection
diarrhea
hives
red skin or pimple

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, stop using topical ruxolitinib and call your doctor immediately:

unusual bleeding or bruising

Ruxolitinib topical may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online ( https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch ) or by phone ( 1-800-332-1088).

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant. Always lock safety caps. Place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for more information.

What other information should I know?

Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.

This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.

AHFS ^® Patient Medication Information™. © Copyright, 2026. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists ^® , 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.

Selected Revisions: August 15, 2026.