Two medicines, side by side
Ruxolitinib vs tacrolimus
Ruxolitinib and tacrolimus are both labeled for eczema (atopic dermatitis). Drugs@FDA records approvals of ruxolitinib since 2011 and of tacrolimus since 1994. Pharmacies paid $34.01 per gram (Opzelura 1.5% cream) and $0.970 per gram (Tacrolimus 0.1% ointment) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ and one is a brand and one a generic, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, ruxolitinib is a janus kinase inhibitor and tacrolimus a calcineurin inhibitor immunosuppressant.
Check it at the source: the ruxolitinib FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 20, 2026); the tacrolimus FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 17, 2026).
Highlights of the ruxolitinib record
Ruxolitinib (Opzelura) · label of July 20, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsJAKAFI/JAKAFI XR is a kinase inhibitor indicated for treatment of: intermediate or high-risk myelofibrosis, including primary myelofibrosis, post-polycythemia vera myelofibrosis, and post-essential thrombocythemia myelofibrosis in adults. ( 1.1 ) polycythemia vera in adults who have had an inadequate response to or are intolerant of hydroxyurea. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 16, 2011
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $34.01 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the tacrolimus record
Tacrolimus (Prograf) · label of July 17, 2026
MALIGNANCIES AND SERIOUS INFECTIONS Increased risk for developing serious infections and malignancies with Tacrolimus or other immunosuppressants that may lead to hospitalization or death. ( 5.1 , 5.2 ) WARNING: MALIGNANCIES AND SERIOUS INFECTIONS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Increased risk for developing serious infections and malignancies with tacrolimus or other immunosuppressants that may lead to hospitalization or death.
Used for
From the label: indicationsTacrolimus capsules are a calcineurin-inhibitor immunosuppressant indicated for the prophylaxis of organ rejection in adult and pediatric patients receiving allogeneic liver, kidney or heart transplants, in combination with other immunosuppressants. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 8, 1994
- Generic labelers
- 33 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.970 per gram
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 9
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Ruxolitinib label of July 20, 2026, Tacrolimus label of July 17, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do ruxolitinib and tacrolimus differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, ruxolitinib is a janus kinase inhibitor and tacrolimus a calcineurin inhibitor immunosuppressant.
Half-life, in each label's words: Ruxolitinib, “Elimination JAKAFI The mean elimination half-life of ruxolitinib is approximately 3 hours and the mean elimination …”; Tacrolimus, “Fecal elimination accounted for 92.4±1.0% and the elimination half-life based on radioactivity was 48.1±15.9 hours …”
Only the tacrolimus label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: ruxolitinib none approved; tacrolimus since 2009 (Drugs@FDA).
| Ruxolitinib | Tacrolimus | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Eczema (atopic dermatitis) | Organ transplant rejection, Eczema (atopic dermatitis) |
| Pharmacologic class | Janus Kinase Inhibitor, Kinase Inhibitor | Calcineurin Inhibitor Immunosuppressant |
| How it works (label) | Ruxolitinib, a kinase inhibitor, inhibits Janus Associated Kinases (JAKs), JAK1 and JAK2, which mediate the signaling of a number of cytokines and growth factors that are important for hematopoiesis and immune function. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | Elimination JAKAFI The mean elimination half-life of ruxolitinib is approximately 3 hours and the mean elimination half-life of ruxolitinib and its metabolites is approximately 5.8 hours in healthy volunteers. | Fecal elimination accounted for 92.4±1.0% and the elimination half-life based on radioactivity was 48.1±15.9 hours whereas it was 43.5±11.6 hours based on tacrolimus concentrations. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 16, 2011 | April 8, 1994 |
| First generic approved | none | August 10, 2009 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | none listed | 33 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $34.01 per gram (Opzelura 1.5% cream) | $0.970 per gram (Tacrolimus 0.1% ointment) |
| 12-month price change | +2% | +3% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 9 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 71,241 | 156,020 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to ruxolitinib
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions