Eltrombopag
Description
Eltrombopag is used to prevent or lower the risk of bleeding in patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). This medicine is used in adults and children above 1 year of age. It is normally used when other treatment options, including conventional medicines and spleen removal surgery, are ineffective. It may also be used to increase the platelet count in patients with hepatitis C and aplastic anemia.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Eltrombopag
- Back pain
- Cramps and muscle spasm
- Numbness in the extremities
- Flu-like symptoms
- Blocked or runny nose
- Decreased appetite
- Difficulty in falling or staying asleep
- Hair loss
- Frequent and/or painful urination
- Burning or tingling sensation of skin
- Toothache
- Coughing up blood
- Fast heartbeat
- Slow or slurred speech
- Dizziness and fainting
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Vision disturbances
Uses of Eltrombopag
What is it prescribed for?
- Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
- Thrombocytopenia with Hepatitis C
- Aplastic anemia
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe peak effect of this medicine can be observed within 2 to 6 hours of administration of the dose.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which this medicine remains effective in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. Your doctor will determine the best course of treatment after evaluating the potential benefits and risks associated with the use of this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Your doctor will determine the best course of treatment after evaluating the potential benefits and risks associated with the use of this medicine. You may be asked to discontinue breastfeeding during therapy with this medicine.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to eltrombopag or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. Your doctor will determine the best course of treatment after evaluating the potential benefits and risks associated with the use of this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Your doctor will determine the best course of treatment after evaluating the potential benefits and risks associated with the use of this medicine. You may be asked to discontinue breastfeeding during therapy with this medicine.
General warnings
Other medicines
Eltrombopag may interact with many other medicines and may cause severe adverse effects. Hence, it is advised that you inform the doctor about all your current medicines including any herbs and supplements before beginning treatment with this medicine.
Use in children
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients below 1 year of age for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura since the safety and efficacy of use are not clinically established. It is also not recommended for use in patients below 18 years of age for treating aplastic anemia and thrombocytopenia with hepatitis C.
Use in the elderly
This medicine should be used with caution and monitoring in elderly patients since the risk of severe adverse effects is significantly high.
Use in bed-ridden patients
This medicine should be used with caution and monitoring in patients who are bedridden for a long duration since the risk of blood clots is significantly high. Appropriate corrective measures or dose adjustments may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Surgery or trauma
This medicine should be used with caution and monitoring in patients who have undergone major surgery or trauma in recent times since the risk of blood clots is significantly high. Appropriate corrective measures or dose adjustments may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Blood disorders
This medicine should be used with extreme caution and monitoring in patients with a disorder of the blood or the lymphatic system. Regular clinical monitoring of blood counts and bleeding time is recommended during therapy with this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Multivitamins and multi-minerals
It is advised to adopt appropriate precautionary measures while taking medicines or supplements containing vitamins and minerals with this medicine. Eltrombopag should be taken on an empty stomach and at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after the consumption of medicine or supplements containing multivitamins and multi-minerals.
Driving or Operating machinery
Use of this medicine may cause blurred vision or dizziness in some patients. It is advised that you do not perform any activities such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you experience any of these symptoms during treatment with this medicine.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with the regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Teriflunomide
Olmesartan
Cyclosporine
Atorvastatin
Ezetimibe
Carfilzomib
Interferon alfa-n1
Interferon Alfa-2A
Interferon afla-2b
Peginterferon Alfa-2A
Aluminum/calcium/iron/magnesium/zinc salts
Disease interactions
Hepatitis C
This medicine should be used with extreme caution and monitoring in patients with hepatitis c who are receiving ribavirin and interferon. You may require a dose adjustment and more frequent clinical monitoring to safely use this medicine in such cases. It is advised to discontinue Eltrombopag if the antiviral therapy is interrupted.
Liver Disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with liver diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Regular monitoring of liver function tests is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Cataract
This medicine should be used with caution and monitoring in patients with cataracts since the risk of worsening of symptoms is significantly high. Appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Thromboembolism
This medicine should be used with caution and monitoring in patients with an active thromboembolic disorder or a history of thromboembolic disorders due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient’s condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
This medicine should be taken on an empty stomach and at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after the consumption of food, particularly dairy products and fruit juices due to the chances of decreased absorption of the medicine.
Medicines or supplements containing aluminum, iron, zinc, etc. should be taken with caution during therapy with this medicine. The desired effect of this medicine may not be achieved if it is taken along with multi-minerals or vitamins. It is advised to administer Eltrombopag on an empty stomach and at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after the consumption of multivitamins and multi-minerals.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by the doctor. Your dose regimen is likely to vary based on factors like disease state, blood platelet count, and ethnicity. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller quantities than recommended. Frequent blood tests and eye examinations may be needed during therapy. Ensure that the course of treatment is completed. Do not stop the use of any medicine without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine increases the production of platelets through stimulation of cells in the bone marrow.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Platelet-stimulating agents
Schedule
Schedule H
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DailyMed - Eltrombopag olamine powder, for suspension [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 28 September 2018]. Available from:
Eltrombopag - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 28 September 2018]. Available from:
Promacta® (eltrombopag) | The Official Patient Site from Novartis [Internet]. Us.promacta.com. 2018 [cited 28 September 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. India-pharma.gsk.com. 2019 [cited 3 January 2019]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 25 Jan 2019
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