Important Safety Information
What are the serious side effects of VONJO?
Bleeding. VONJO may cause severe bleeding, which can be serious and, in some cases, may lead to death. Do not take VONJO if you are bleeding. If you start bleeding, stop VONJO and call your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will do a blood test to check your blood cell counts before you start VONJO and regularly during your treatment with VONJO. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop any of these symptoms: unusual bleeding, bruising, and fever. You will need to stop taking VONJO 7 days before any planned surgery or invasive procedures (such as a heart catheterization, stent placement in a coronary artery in your heart, or a procedure for varicose veins). Your healthcare provider should tell you when you can start taking VONJO again.
Diarrhea. Diarrhea is common with VONJO, but can be severe, and cause loss of too much body fluid (dehydration). Tell your healthcare provider if you have diarrhea and follow instructions for what to do to help treat diarrhea. If you notice any change in how often you have bowel movements, if they become softer or you have diarrhea, your healthcare provider may tell you to start taking an antidiarrheal medicine as soon as you notice changes.
Worsening low platelet counts. Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your blood counts before you start taking VONJO and during treatment with VONJO.
Changes in the electrical activity of your heart called QTc prolongation. QTc prolongation can cause irregular heartbeats that can be life-threatening. Your healthcare provider will check the electrical activity of your heart before you start and during treatment with VONJO, as needed. If you have a history of low blood potassium, it is important that you get your blood tests done as ordered by your healthcare provider to monitor electrolytes in your blood. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you feel dizzy, lightheaded, faint or feel palpitations.
Increased risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, or death in people who have cardiovascular risk factors and who are current or past smokers have happened in some people taking another Janus associated kinase (JAK) inhibitor to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Get emergency help right away if you have any symptoms of a heart attack or stroke while taking VONJO, including: discomfort in the center of your chest that lasts for more than a few minutes, or that 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; breaking out in a cold sweat; nausea or vomiting; feeling lightheaded; weakness in one part or on one side of your body; or slurred speech.
Increased risk of blood clots. Blood clots in the veins of your legs (deep vein thrombosis) or lungs (pulmonary embolism) have happened in some people taking another JAK inhibitor and may be life-threatening. Tell your healthcare provider if you have had blood clots in the veins of your legs or lungs in the past. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any signs and symptoms of blood clots during treatment with VONJO, including: swelling, pain, or tenderness in one or both legs; sudden, unexplained chest pain; or shortness of breath/difficulty breathing.
Possible increased risk of new (secondary) cancers. People who take another JAK inhibitor for rheumatoid arthritis have an increased risk of new (secondary) cancers, including lymphoma and other cancers. The risk of new cancers is greater if you smoke or have smoked in the past.
Risk of infection. People who have certain blood cancers and take another JAK inhibitor have an increased risk of serious infections. People who take VONJO may develop serious infections, including bacterial, mycobacterial, fungal, and viral infections. If you have a serious infection, your healthcare provider may not start you on VONJO until your infection is treated. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop any of the following symptoms of infection: chills, aches, fever, nausea, vomiting, weakness, painful skin rash, or blisters.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before starting VONJO?
- Current or past smoking history
- Previous medical conditions such as any other cancers, blood clot, heart attack, other heart problems, stroke, infection, diarrhea, commonly loose stools, nausea, vomiting, liver problems, or kidney problems
- Have active bleeding, have had severe bleeding or plan to have surgery. You should stop taking VONJO 7 days before any planned surgery or invasive procedures because you may be at higher risk for bleeding
- Are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, are breastfeeding, or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if VONJO will harm your unborn baby or if it passes into breast milk. You should not breastfeed during treatment and for 2 weeks after your last dose of VONJO
- Plan to father a child. VONJO may affect fertility in males. You may have problems fathering a child
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements and remedies.
What are the most common side effects with VONJO?
Nausea, vomiting, low red blood cell count (anemia), and swelling of your ankles, legs, and feet. These are not all the possible side effects of VONJO.
If you suspect that you have experienced a side effect, call your healthcare provider. You may also report side effects to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see the full Prescribing Information for VONJO.