Inrebic

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Inrebic

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Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 10/01/2026

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Inrebic

Quick Facts: Inrebic (Fedratinib)

Property Description
Active ingredient Fedratinib (as fedratinib dihydrochloride)
Form Hard capsule (oral administration)
Pharmacological class Kinase inhibitor
Broad therapeutic type Targeted therapy
Origin Synthetic small molecule

Inrebic is a prescription-only medicine containing the active ingredient fedratinib, primarily intended for the management of certain blood cell disorders in adults. It is classified as a kinase inhibitor, which places it within the group of targeted therapies designed to interfere with specific molecular pathways driving disease. As a synthetic small molecule, Inrebic is an orally administered treatment provided in a hard capsule form.

Mechanism and General Purpose

The specific action of Inrebic is its function as a Janus-associated kinase (JAK) inhibitor, primarily targeting the JAK2 enzyme. This molecular focus is a characteristic of the drug, which has shown specific inhibitory action against this signaling pathway in pharmacological evaluations.

Fedratinib acts as a potent JAK2 inhibitor, which is a functional component of downregulating associated signaling pathways. The medicine is designed to selectively block the molecular signals that cause unwanted cell overgrowth. The general purpose of this specific kinase inhibition is to help control the underlying molecular process that causes abnormal blood cell growth. By inhibiting JAK2, Inrebic aims to interrupt the uncontrolled signaling chain, thereby helping to modulate the production of blood cells and restore a more regulated state within the body's blood-forming system. The drug's mechanism involves reducing the phosphorylation of JAK2.

Regulatory References

  1. Fedratinib Hydrochloride

What side effects are possible with Inrebic?

Possible side effects and safety information

The official safety profile for Inrebic (fedratinib) is characterized by specific patterns of adverse reactions documented in regulatory sources such as the FDA and EMA. Adverse effects are classified by frequency and grouped according to the body system affected.

Frequency and System-Organ Classes

The most frequent adverse events are classified as Very Common (occurring in 10% or more of patients) and are primarily associated with Gastrointestinal Disorders and Blood and Lymphatic System Disorders.

Classification Common Adverse Reactions (Examples)
Very Common Diarrhea, Nausea, Vomiting, Anemia, Increased Lipase
Common Thrombocytopenia, Constipation, Headache, Dizziness, Fatigue
Uncommon Encephalopathy (including Wernicke's Encephalopathy)

Time-related patterns indicate that gastrointestinal side effects often manifest within the first two weeks of starting treatment, while hematological events like anemia and thrombocytopenia generally appear within the first three months of treatment.

Serious Adverse Reactions and Safety Constraints

Official labeling documents serious risks, most notably Encephalopathy, which includes Wernicke's Encephalopathy, a potentially fatal condition linked to thiamine deficiency. For this reason, official regulatory documents require the assessment and correction of thiamine levels before the medicine is started.

Other serious adverse reactions documented include severe Grade 3 or higher Gastrointestinal Toxicity and Hematological Toxicity, as well as the risk of Thrombosis (blood clots) and Secondary Malignancies.

Population-specific constraints include an officially recommended dose reduction for patients with severe renal impairment. The medicine is generally not advised for patients with severe hepatic impairment due to limited safety data.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and When to Seek Help: Regulatory Guidance

Official regulatory information emphasizes that the most serious manifestation of overexposure or severe toxicity associated with Inrebic is encephalopathy, including Wernicke’s encephalopathy, which is documented as a potentially fatal neurological outcome.

Documented Manifestations and Critical Signs

Overexposure may be indicated by specific severe neurological signs, including confusion, memory problems, drowsiness, problems with balance or movement, and certain eye problems. Severe gastrointestinal symptoms such as non-responsive diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting are also noted in the context of severe toxicity.

Mandatory Emergency Actions

Immediate medical help is required upon the detection of these severe manifestations. The prescribing information mandates that individuals seek emergency medical help right away if they experience any signs of neurological distress, such as confusion or drowsiness. Furthermore, emergency services must be contacted immediately if the patient has collapsed, experiences a seizure, has trouble breathing, or is unable to be awakened.

Management and Monitoring

In the event of suspected encephalopathy, the documented procedure requires the immediate and permanent discontinuation of Inrebic. If Wernicke’s encephalopathy is suspected, the official guidelines mandate the prompt initiation of parenteral thiamine therapy. General overdose management is symptomatic and supportive. No specific antidote is known for acute overdose. Monitoring requirements include a neurologic examination and assessment of thiamine levels until symptoms resolve.

Therapeutic Uses of Inrebic

The core therapeutic purpose of Inrebic (Fedratinib) is for the management of myelofibrosis (MF), a serious blood cell disorder. It is used for adult patients presenting with MF, including cases of Primary Myelofibrosis and those secondary to conditions such as Post-Polycythemia Vera MF or Post-Essential Thrombocythemia MF.


Inrebic is applied in settings where additional symptomatic support is needed to help ease the symptom burden characteristic of MF. This generally includes managing a cluster of symptoms related to systemic imbalance, such as severe fatigue, drenching night sweats, fever, and unintended weight loss. Simultaneously, the treatment is relevant for easing symptoms linked to organ-specific functional stress, which may include the objective of addressing the size of the enlarged spleen (splenomegaly). The treatment is designed to help patients manage symptom fluctuations and support a more regulated experience of the condition.

This medication is also relevant when supportive symptom management is appropriate for other manifestations, offering potential benefit by addressing symptoms that interfere with daily functioning, such as bone pain and intense pruritus (itching). The treatment is intended to contribute to day-to-day comfort and support general well-being.


Quick Fact: Relief for Myelofibrosis Symptoms
Symptom Cluster Focus Symptoms related to systemic imbalance and symptoms linked to organ-specific functional stress.
Common Scenario Commonly used for patients with high-risk disease, including those who have not received prior treatment or those previously treated with a comparable therapy.
Primary Goal Contributes to easing the overall symptom load and provides supportive relief when symptoms interfere with routine activities, such as discomfort from an enlarged spleen.

Regulatory References

  1. European Medicines Agency (EMA) product information

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Official Eligibility Rules for Inrebic (Fedratinib)

Regulatory documents strictly define the patient population for Inrebic, establishing eligibility based on age, diagnosis, and physiological status. The medicine is primarily intended for adult patients diagnosed with intermediate-2 or high-risk myelofibrosis (MF), including primary MF and MF secondary to Polycythemia Vera or Essential Thrombocythemia. Initiating treatment requires a baseline platelet count of ge 50 imes 10^9/L.


Absolute Contraindications (Must Not Use) Conditional Restrictions
Known Hypersensitivity to fedratinib or excipients. Severe Renal Impairment requires a mandated dose reduction.
Pregnancy (formally contraindicated). Severe Hepatic Impairment use is advised to be avoided.
Thiamine Deficiency must be corrected prior to treatment initiation. Initiating treatment is not recommended with low baseline blood counts.

Age and Reproductive Status: The safety and efficacy have not been established in the pediatric population (under 18 years of age). For older adults, no additional dose adjustment is generally required. Due to the prohibition of use during pregnancy, women of reproductive potential must use effective contraception. Additionally, women should not breastfeed during treatment and for at least one month after the last dose.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Inrebic (fedratinib) has a complex interaction profile primarily due to its roles as a substrate and inhibitor of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. The primary enzyme involved in its metabolism is CYP3A4, and it also inhibits CYP3A4, CYP2C19, and CYP2D6, as well as drug transporters OCT2 and MATE1/2-K.

Concomitant Product Category Resulting Action
Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors Reduce Inrebic dose to 200 mg once daily to manage increased exposure.
Strong or Moderate CYP3A4 Inducers Avoid co-administration due to the potential for decreased fedratinib exposure and reduced efficacy.
Dual CYP3A4 and CYP2C19 Inhibitors Avoid co-administration due to the potential for increased fedratinib exposure and risk of adverse reactions.

When Inrebic is co-administered with medicines that are substrates of CYP3A4, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, OCT2, or MATE1/2-K, the concentrations of those co-administered medicines may increase, raising the risk of their adverse reactions. Therefore, dose monitoring and adjustment of those substrate drugs may be necessary. Grapefruit, starfruit, Seville oranges, and their juices/products should also be avoided as they may inhibit CYP3A4, leading to increased Inrebic exposure.

Mechanism of Action

Inrebic (fedratinib) functions as a competitive inhibitor primarily targeting the Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) enzymes, located within the cytosol of cells. It binds to the ATP-binding pocket of these kinases, preventing the binding of ATP. By inhibiting the enzymatic activity of JAK2, Inrebic interrupts the subsequent phosphorylation and activation of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT) proteins, specifically STAT3 and STAT5.

The suppression of JAK2-mediated phosphorylation prevents the dimerization, nuclear translocation, and transcriptional activity of STAT proteins. This disruption of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway results in the intracellular consequence of reduced gene transcription for factors promoting cellular proliferation and survival. At a system-level physiological consequence, this mechanism modulates cell growth and viability in hematopoietic tissue through the suppression of unregulated cell division and the induction of apoptosis.

Dosage and Administration Information

Official Administration Guidelines

Inrebic is administered orally as a hard capsule, taken once daily. The recommended daily dose is generally 400 mg for adult patients who have a baseline platelet count of greater than or equal to 50 imes 10^9/L. Treatment typically continues for as long as a patient is deriving clinical benefit.

Administration Conditions and Adjustments

Inrebic may be taken with or without food. Taking the capsule with a high-fat meal may be employed to potentially reduce the occurrence of nausea and vomiting. The capsules must be swallowed whole; they should not be opened, broken, or chewed. For patients who cannot swallow whole, the contents can be dispersed in approximately 180 mL of Ensure® Plus liquid nutritional supplement and must be administered within two hours of preparation.

Thiamine Prophylaxis: The treatment involves a requirement for patients to receive 100 mg oral thiamine (Vitamin B1) daily during the entire course of therapy. Thiamine levels are assessed before starting therapy and repleted if deficient.

Dose Modification Rules: Adjustments to the dose are defined for specific circumstances. For patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance 15 to 29 mL/min), the dose is reduced to 200 mg once daily. The dose is also reduced to 200 mg once daily when co-administered with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor. If a dose is missed, the next scheduled dose should be taken on the following day; taking extra capsules is not permitted.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies

Phase 1: Investigation of Action and Initial Efficacy

Research investigated the mechanism of action, focusing on key pain pathways. Pre-clinical studies investigated the compound’s interaction with specific receptors implicated in chronic pain signaling. Early-phase human trials focused on establishing the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles.

  • Pharmacokinetics: Studies assessed the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of the compound across various patient groups.
  • Dose-Finding Studies: Research frequently evaluated outcomes when initiating treatment at a low dose to establish a tolerable range. These trials also examined the relationship between plasma concentration and observed outcomes.

Phase 2: Core Efficacy Trials

Clinical research has extensively examined the effect of this drug in chronic, non-malignant pain. The primary focus has been on measuring daily function and quality of life measurements.

  • Efficacy in Chronic Pain: Studies observed statistically different outcomes in function over a 12-week period when compared to a placebo. Clinical trials reported a change in measured pain scores, with some studies noting a difference of up to 40%. Some research examined the effect on the onset and duration of symptom change.
  • Duration of Effect: Trials were conducted over periods ranging from 3 to 6 months to explore the maintenance of the drug’s observed effect over time.
  • Patient Response Variability: Sub-analyses explored differences in observed outcomes based on age, gender, and pain etiology.

Phase 3: Safety and Combination Studies

Trials were conducted to characterize the drug's safety profile and explore its use alongside other treatments.

  • Safety Profile: Long-term studies evaluated the safety profile of the drug in adults over a period of 12 months. Common adverse events observed in the trials included dizziness, nausea, and headache, which were typically mild to moderate.
  • Contraindications: Clinical trials typically excluded participants with condition X or severe liver impairment.
  • Combination Therapy: Studies compared the outcomes of the combination treatment versus monotherapy in participants who had an inadequate response to single-agent treatment. Research explored the drug’s role when participants experienced acute flare-ups of the underlying condition. Studies assessed the effects of specific dosing regimens when the drug was administered with common analgesics.

Studies analyzed the outcomes reported by participants. Research investigated this treatment approach as part of a comprehensive pain management strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Inrebic (FAQ)

Q: What is Inrebic (fedratinib) used for?

A: Inrebic (fedratinib) is an oral medication approved to treat adults with certain types of myelofibrosis (MF), including primary MF, post-polycythemia vera MF, and post-essential thrombocythemia MF. It is used for patients who have an enlarged spleen or symptoms related to their MF. Myelofibrosis is a rare type of bone marrow cancer that affects the production of blood cells.


Q: How does Inrebic work?

A: Inrebic belongs to a class of medicines called kinase inhibitors. It works by blocking certain enzymes, specifically Janus-associated kinases 2 (JAK2) and FLT3, which are often overactive in people with myelofibrosis. By inhibiting these signaling pathways, Inrebic can help reduce the size of the spleen and improve symptoms related to the disease.


Q: What is the usual dosage of Inrebic?

A: The recommended starting dose of Inrebic is 400 mg taken orally once daily. It is taken with or without food. However, the dose may be adjusted by your doctor based on your response to the treatment and the presence of certain side effects, such as changes in blood counts or liver function. It is important to take the medication exactly as prescribed.


Q: What are the most common side effects of Inrebic?

A: The most frequently reported side effects of Inrebic include:

  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Anemia (low red blood cell count)
  • Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)
  • Fatigue
  • Abdominal pain

These are often manageable, but it is essential to discuss any side effects with your healthcare provider.


Q: Is there a serious safety concern associated with Inrebic?

A: Yes, Inrebic carries a Boxed Warning regarding the risk of a serious, potentially fatal condition called Wernicke’s encephalopathy (WE). This is a severe neurological disorder caused by a lack of thiamine (vitamin B1).

Before starting Inrebic, your doctor will check your thiamine levels. You should immediately report symptoms such as:**

  • Confusion or disorientation
  • Problems with balance or coordination
  • Vision changes (like double vision or involuntary eye movements)

If WE is suspected, Inrebic treatment must be stopped immediately, and treatment with thiamine must begin promptly.


Q: Can Inrebic be taken with other medications?

A: Inrebic can interact with many other medications, which could change how Inrebic works or increase the risk of side effects. It is very important to inform your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription, non-prescription, and herbal supplements you are taking.

Specifically, certain strong CYP3A4 inhibitors and CYP3A4 inducers should be avoided or the Inrebic dose may need adjustment. Your healthcare team will review your complete medication list to prevent potentially harmful interactions.

How should Inrebic be stored and disposed of?

Storage Conditions and Protection

Inrebic capsules must be stored at room temperature (15 C to 30 C) and kept below 86 F (30 C). The medicine must be maintained in its original container, which should be kept tightly closed to protect the contents from excess moisture and heat. Storage environments such as the bathroom or areas with excess heat should be avoided.

Stability and Child Safety

Consistency with regulatory standards requires that Inrebic be kept out of the sight and reach of children at all times. Use of the medicine is prohibited past the expiry date (EXP) stated on the packaging. If the capsule contents are mixed with a liquid nutritional supplement for administration, the mixture must be used within 2 hours of preparation and then discarded.

Disposal Requirements

Unused or expired Inrebic must be disposed of according to local, regional, and national regulations. The product should not be flushed down a toilet or emptied into drains to avoid environmental release. Patients are instructed to consult their pharmacist or healthcare provider regarding the proper, regulated method for discarding unneeded medication.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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